Dettori Will Not Appeal 14-Day Suspension

Frankie Dettori has chosen not to appeal the 14-day suspension he picked up in Germany Sept. 4, meaning he will miss races such as the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes (G1) and Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes (G1) before returning to ride Torquator Tasso  in the Longchamp Qatar Prix de I'Arc de Triomphe (G1) on his first day back in action.

Dettori was given the lengthy suspension for using his whip six times, and once over the threshold, when partnering Torquator Tasso to a head second to Mendocino  in Sunday's Wettstar Grosser Preis von Baden (G1). It was the first time he had ridden last season's shocking Arc winner, and he confirmed he would retain the ride at Longchamp Oct. 2.

That will be his first day back in the saddle, with the ban running from Sept. 18—Oct. 1. He will be unavailable for two domestic group 1 contests in that period at Newmarket Sept. 24—including the ride on the Ralph Beckett-trained Lezoo , 5-1 second favorite for the Cheveley Park Stakes—as well as the Cambridgeshire Handicap and Royal Lodge Stakes (G2) on the same day. 

The ban also rules him out of the first day of the Arc meeting, where he rode two winners last season.

Dettori, who is booked to ride Haskoy  in the St. Leger Stakes (G1) this weekend, said: "I'm not going to appeal—I'll take the penalty. Of course, I'm a bit disappointed, but I broke the rule. What happened, happened, and it was unfortunate, but I'll take it and move on.

"At the time I thought the suspension meant I was going to miss the Arc as well, but it's fortunate for me it ends the day before. In a way I was lucky and unlucky. Arc day is massive."

Bookmakers pushed out Torquator Tasso to 10-1 (from 7) for the Arc following Sunday's defeat, but Dettori is hopeful about his defense at Longchamp.

He said: "I've spoken to the owners and they're happy to have me on. I just hope we get the same rain they'd been getting in the last two years while the big field and the stronger-run race will again mean the horse has got a great chance.

"On Sunday there were just four runners and it didn't suit his style of racing. I still think he ran a great race, I just hope we get the same conditions as last year. I'm looking forward to it, he's won an Arc and finished second in a King George, and I'm very pleased to get the ride."