'I'll ride on this year and next year' says Dettori following Newmarket victory

Frankie Dettori ended a turbulent week on a high when he partnered Lezoo to victory on his only ride at Newmarket on Saturday, and vowed to continue to ride on next season following his high-profile split with John and Thady Gosden.

John Gosden announced on Friday that he and Dettori had decided to "take a sabbatical from the trainer-jockey relationship" after days of speculation that their seven-year partnership was under strain.

With the Gosdens turning to James Doyle and Rab Havlin for the stable's two runners at Newmarket, Dettori did what he does best when partnering the Ralph Beckett-trained Lezoo to a cosy success in the Listed Maureen Brittain Memorial Empress Fillies' Stakes.

Earlier in the afternoon, Dettori quashed talk that his retirement from the sport is imminent when he committed to riding on into the 2023 Flat season.

"Me and John had a meeting yesterday and we decided to give each other a break, a sabbatical," he said. "That’s it really. We just had a chat yesterday, we’re still good friends and I’ll be forever grateful for what John did for me in the past. At the moment we’ve decided it’s better for the pair of us to have a break."

John Gosden and Frankie Dettori: a top partnership for several yearsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Gosden, who was highly critical of a number of Dettori's rides during Royal Ascot, most notably his high-profile defeat on Stradivarius in the Gold Cup and a subsequent narrow loss aboard the Queen’s Saga in the Britannia Stakes, said he had no plans to appoint a stable jockey at Clarehaven Stables, but Dettori declined to elaborate on whether he thought he would ride for the Gosdens again.

"Listen, the meeting we had between me and John is between me and him, so I’m not going to go into details – it’s not fair on the pair of us," Dettori told Racing TV.

"Like John said and I said we’re having a sabbatical. I’m definitely going to do this year and next year. I’m riding in Istanbul on Sunday and I’ll be at the German Derby next week.

"I’ve got a couple of weekends in Belmont and Saratoga, so I’m quite busy the next month. So if you don’t see me ride domestically it’s not because I gave up, it’s because I’m riding abroad. But I’m intending to ride all of this year and definitely next year."

Dettori declined to comment on whether his relationship with the Gosdens had been under strain prior to Royal Ascot and instead chose to look towards a new chapter of his career.

The 51-year-old said: "It’s a new start and we’ll take a step at a time. I came on your channel to reassure everyone that I’m not stopping and if I’m away this month it’s because I’m abroad.

"I will be back for King George week and then Goodwood. I'm definitely riding this year and next year. After that, I don't know."

Ralph Beckett: 'I always enjoy putting Frankie up'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Lezoo's trainer Beckett, who enjoyed a memorable day capped by victory in the Irish Derby with Westover, suggested the rider would continue to get the support of his stable as Dettori tackles life as a freelance once more.

"He called me just before the Derby in good spirits," said Beckett from the Curragh. "I always enjoy putting him up. I'm training for Mark Chan [joint-owner of Lezoo] because of [bloodstock agent] Jamie McCalmont and Frankie's connection with Mark, so it's all good."

Classic-winning trainers Hugo Palmer and Aidan O'Brien, who have both enjoyed Group 1 success with Dettori in the past, also stated their intention to continue backing the rider in the coming months.

"In my view, Frankie is the only jockey alive who can reasonably claim to be the greatest of all time," Palmer said. "Lester Piggott, Fred Archer and Sir Gordon Richards are all dead, and Frankie is up there with them. I'm also sure he has a lot of big days ahead of him.

"We might supplement one or two for the July Cup and I did ring up to see if he's available but he'll be riding in America. Other people had the same good idea ahead of me.

"The two biggest days in my career – the 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace – came with Galileo Gold in Frankie Dettori's hands. I'll be eternally grateful to him for that – and I would like to get him a third one."

O'Brien said: "Frankie is a great rider. He always was and still is. Obviously when Frankie is available we're always privileged when he can ride for us."

Tom Marquand: 'Frankie is incredible for our sport'Credit: Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images

After winning the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle on Sense Of Duty, weighing room colleague Tom Marquand offered his support to Dettori, describing the 51-year-old as a racing legend.

"He's incredible for our sport and there's a reason he's been at the top so long," he said. "Frankie is a legend of our sport and he's operated at the highest level for many, many years.

"Partnerships are partnerships, whether it be within sport, marriages or anything there are going to be disputes I suppose. But hopefully everything resolves itself and everything turns out the best for everyone."

What Newmarket racegoers were saying on Saturday

It's been a good partnership and it's a bit like me at Newcastle United – I would have played my whole life for them but Kevin Keegan didn't fancy me. They're both professionals and I'm sure Frankie will pick up rides. He would probably be the first to say he's given them bad rides and I think a lot what was said was in the heat of the moment.
Mick Quinn, ex-trainer and footballer from Newmarket

I think the other jockeys just ganged up on Frankie on Stradivarius and that was unlucky.
Bert Hawes, Wickham Market

For me, Frankie is past his best and he'll have to pull his finger out to regain top spot. McCoy went out at the right time and I just hope Frankie can do the same and go out on his own terms. You can't go to Italy the week before Royal Ascot.
Mark Platt, Bedford

Frankie's ride on Stradivarius didn't look good when William Buick came from behind him and I think he just made the wrong decision. He's just won a race here on his only ride this afternoon and he's back to normal.
Frank Button, Spalding

Frankie's riding a bit late into his career for my liking. I always go by David Beckham as a sportsman who went out at the top rather than going on too long and then people saying he wasn't as good as he used to be. I think Frankie lost it at the top level a few years ago.
Gary Thomas, Cheveley

Read this next:

'He's full of determination' – write Dettori off at your peril says Luca Cumani (Members' Club)

Lee Mottershead: Frankie fights back the tears after racegoers show support for racing's top star (Members' Club)

John Gosden and Frankie Dettori agree to 'take a sabbatical' after crunch talks

Frankie Dettori and John Gosden: the highs and lows of a great partnership

The Royal Ascot rides that led to the Dettori-Gosden relationship crumbling

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