Frankie Dettori no longer to don the royal blues of Godolphin Racing as their retained rider
The final blow to the principal jockey of Godolphin racing came with the announcement that he will no longer be retained for the 2013 season. For many it was his selection of riding the Coolmore stud’s Camelot in the Arc at Longchamp. The 2012 Triple Crown contender met the worst fate in his racing career until now, but the damage done to the eighteen-year relationship of the employee (Frankie Dettori) and the employer (Godolphin) was irreparable.
However, according to many the rift and friction between the two was since quite some while, and the French Arc served as the reason to call the partnership off once and for all. The recruitment of two young jockeys: Mickael Barzalona and Silvestre de Sousa seemingly was acceptable to the Italian riding sensation, but the ‘equal opportunity’ that they needed took the cake’s share from Frankie Dettori. There were instances when he sat in the stands without a ride, and the ‘young ones’ got to race in the royal blues of the Godolphin banner.
As long as it lasted, it was better than anything companion ship possible. The employer provided larger than ever venues for the jockey to explore, and he brought back for them the titles that the string most deserved.
In-debt both are for the success that they exchanged for nearly two decades, and are now taking different routes with utmost dignity and respect.
Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: "We have had a tremendous association with Frankie over many years. He has achieved so much on behalf of Godolphin and has made the difference between winning and losing on so many occasions in the world's biggest races. "However, Frankie is looking for a fresh challenge and we felt that the retainer was not really working so this is the best way forward. We have had many great days together and we look forward to working with Frankie in the future and hopefully enjoying more success together”.
The acceptance of the string that their star rider needs new challenge is honour enough as that signifies their failure to grow with the speed with which the jockey progressed, and was confident of taking the string to the new horizons without the involvement of any new jockeys. ‘The future’ that Sheikh Mohammed has for his operation might just be beyond the comprehension of Frankie Dettori.
The betting experts have predicted that the coming season will be the best ever for the jockey.
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