Jockey Frankie Dettori has ended his formal association with Al Shaqab Racing, reported Racing Post on Monday. Dettori, who will still ride for Sheikh Joaan's stable on occasion, has chosen to emphasize his association with trainer John Gosden.
“It is all very amicable and we now have a gentleman's agreement with Frankie,” Al Shaqab's Racing Manager Alison Begley told Racing Post. “Frankie's contract always went from July to July, so his contract with us has now come to an end. We would have signed Frankie for another year, but he is very keen to be free to ride John Gosden's horses and contacted Sheikh Joaan directly to say as much, although he also made clear he would like to ride for us on the bigger days.”
“I've had a great few years with Sheikh Joaan, it was a fundamental part of rejuvenating my career after my Godolphin split,” said Dettori. “I had a lot of Group 1 winners for him with Olympic Glory (Ire), obviously Treve (Fr), then we had a Classic winner with Galileo Gold (GB) and Al Wukair (Ire) last year. The bulk of my rides are for John Gosden at the present time, but I will ride for Al Shaqab in the future when I'm available.”
Dettori's contract had been reduced in January following Al Shaqab downsizing their English racing stock in favour of their French string.
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