A year ago to the date since he broke his shoulder four days out from last year's Royal meeting, jockey Frankie Dettori said he is covering himself in bubble wrap to ensure he can participate at Royal Ascot next week.
“It was a year ago today that I broke my shoulder and it was awful,” the rider said. “To me, Ascot is everything, and to injure myself four days before last year's Royal Ascot was very hard to take. At the moment, I am covering myself up in bubble wrap and hope I can get there on Tuesday. I have three rides before then–two on Saturday and one on Sunday.”
Dettori's rides next week will include a clutch of hopefuls for trainer John Gosden, such as Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Prince of Wales's S., Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G1 Gold Cup, Without Parole (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 St James's Palace S. and possibly 'TDN Rising Star' Calyx (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the G2 Coventry S. He will also pilot Australian sprinter Redkirk Warrior (GB) (Notnowcato {GB}) in the G1 Diamond Jubilee S., and will continue his regular association with American trainer Wesley Ward.
“John Gosden will have a big team,” Dettori said. “We are all thinking we have a great book of rides, but it is very hard to win at Ascot and you can't take anything for granted. I am very excited and am going to enjoy it.”
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