Dettori Ban Reduced, Will Still Miss Major Mounts

Frankie Dettori has had the 10-day ban he picked up at Newmarket's July festival reduced to six days, July 27—Aug. 1, but will still miss Ascot's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) and the first two days of Glorious Goodwood.

The suspension rules him out of taking the high-profile rides aboard hot favorites Stradivarius in the Goodwood Cup (G1) and Without Parole in the Qatar Sussex Stakes (G1). He could also have ridden Coronet in the group 1 showpiece at Ascot July 28.

After thanking his barrister, Dettori sprinted away from the British Horseracing Authority's London headquarters.

Dettori's QC Graeme McPherson offered no comment regarding the jockey's ban, but said his client had left in a hurry as he was late for a lunch appointment with his wife.

Dettori's ban and subsequent hearing stemmed from his ride aboard John Gosden's Angel's Hideaway, who finished runner-up to Pretty Pollyanna in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes (G2) earlier this month.

The filly caused interference by moving to her right, pushing Main Edition on to La Pelosa.

BHA disciplinary panel chairman David Fish said: "The basis of our finding is he didn't take corrective action sufficiently quickly. We take the view he had sufficient time to take preventative action before he actually did.

"We take the view considerable interference was caused to two horses in particular the ones ridden by Mr. (James) Doyle (Main Edition) and Mr. (William) Buick (La Pelosa). We take into account the period over which this careless riding occurred."

Brant Dunshea, BHA chief regulatory officer, said of the outcome: "Frankie Dettori was subject to a fair hearing in front of an independent disciplinary panel.

"Appeals are intended to be rehearings using evidence not available to the stewards on the day rather an a review of the original decision taken at the time.

"It is encouraging to see the panel reached the same conclusion as the stewards on the day, in that Mr Dettori was found guilty of careless riding and that the interference was noted as considerable.

"The decision to reduce the penalty from ten days to six is entirely a matter for the independent disciplinary panel and, given the extent of the interference, the BHA look forward to assessing the full written reasons to understand why such a reduction in penalty was applicable under the circumstances."

Gosden gave evidence on the phone and described Angel's Hideaway as a spooky filly who got loose on the gallops July 23. The BHA, represented by disciplinary team leader Lyn Williams, made the case the filly gave every indication to Dettori she was going to drift and that he took too long to react.

McPherson was adamant Dettori had reacted as quickly as any competent jockey could possibly have done.

"I can't say Mr. Dettori's record is blameless but he has a record that does not mean you should conclude he is a careless jockey. He is a careful jockey," McPherson said.

Williams said: "We say Mr. Dettori should have been aware of Mr. Doyle and Mr. Buick. He should have taken preventative action. He failed to take reasonable steps to prevent causing interference.

"Mr. Dettori waited until he had caused interference before straightening the filly. He did it too late. He should have taken action before that."

The verdict will prove a disappointment to the three-time champion's legions of admirers who would have been looking forward to seeing him in group 1 action at Ascot, where he has won the King George five times, including aboard Enable 12 months ago, and at Goodwood.

Ascot director of communications Nick Smith said: "It's always disappointing if Frankie can't ride at Ascot—the crowd relate to him, and he's part of the furniture here.

"However, we fully respect the judgement of the BHA."

Dettori is synonymous with Goodwood, having ridden his first winner there 31 years ago as a 16-year-old apprentice, and is just six short of partnering 200 winners at the Sussex track.