Dettori may go freelance after Godolphin split

Both were magnanimous yesterday after racing’s worst kept secret was finally confirmed; Dettori speaking of a desire to seek new challenges after confirming that he will ride as a freelance next year and Godolphin paying tribute to the 110 Group races that racing’s most popular rider won in the royal blue silks.

“I have had 18 wonderful years,” said Dettori before confirming that he had no intention of retiring on the back of several below-par seasons.

“Godolphin has been a major part of everything I have achieved in racing and I have loved every minute of it. I feel the time has come for a change.

“My position in the stable has changed a little bit and I need a new challenge.

“Sheikh Mohammed has been an unbelievable boss to me. He had the confidence to take me on board when I was young and we smashed every record together. I will be forever grateful to him for everything he has done for me and for my family.”

The 42-year-old, who rode Godolphin’s first Classic winnerBalanchine in 1994, has already been linked with several jobs following an announcement which overshadowed Frankel’s 14th and final victory on Qipco Champions Day at Ascot in which Dettori was a distant fourth on the German Derby winner Pastorius.

His name has been among those linked as possibles to be named retained jockey to the increasingly-powerful Pearl Bloodstock and Qatar Racing. Asked about speculation over a retained rider, David Redvers, racing manager to Sheikh Fahad Al Thani of Qatar, said: “I think I will be in a position to make an announcement at the end of the week.”

There could also be an intriguing owner at Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle stables if the trainer’s teenage son, Joseph, feels he cannot prolong his daily battle with his weight.

Dettori’s relationship with Godolphin became strained when Sheikh Mohammed recruited Derby-winning jockey Mickael Barzalona and Thirsk-based Silvestre de Sousa, a gutsy runner-up to Paul Hanagan in last year’s Flat title race, as understudies to the Italian.

Yet Dettori’s reluctance to commit himself to some lesser midweek meetings, effectively schooling races for potential champions, did not endear himself to Godolphin’s trainers Saeed bin Suroor and, most significantly, Mahmood Al Zarooni who became increasingly reluctant to use the services of a former champion jockey who – on his day – is still the best big race Flat rider in the business.

Though Dettori’s last gasp Ascot Gold Cup victory on Colour Vision, beating the Barzalona-ridden Opinion Poll, in the final strides hinted at a return to the old order, it was significant that the Italian was not aboard the Ladbrokes St Leger winner Encke – Godolphin’s only entry in the Doncaster Classic.

Dettori was on the John Gosden-trained third Michelangelo before opting to ride Guineas and Derby winner Camelot, the horse denied a Triple Crown by Encke, in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – Europe’s signature race.

In all probability, this was the proof that the Dettori and Godolphin axis was at breaking point because Camelot is owned by Coolmore – Sheikh Mohammed’s greatest rivals when it comes to racehorse breeding.

After confirming that Barzalona and de Sousa will be Godolphin’s two retained riders next year, Sheikh Mohammed’s racing manager Simon Crisford said: “We have had a tremendous association with Frankie. He 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.”

Most of Dettori’s big-race winners were trained by bin Suroor, including four of those that formed the rider’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ at Ascot on September 28, 1996. “We have been good friends and have travelled all over the world and have had great times,” he said.

“We have been like brothers. I have seen him every morning and sometimes we come back after midnight from racing. It is sad but at the same time I wish him good luck. He is the best jockey in the world and I am sure he will do well also in the future.”

Reacting to the news of the Godolphin split, David Williams of Ladbrokes suggested that it could be to the wider benefit of racing when he said: “Frankie the freelance will be a potent weapon. He’ll be the go-to guy when connections are looking for the best available jockey.”

In other racing news, North Yorkshire’s Amy Ryan will almost certainly be crowned champion apprentice after her closest pursuer – Darren Egan – suffered season-ending injuries at Wolverhampton.

Meanwhile, Divers – Ferdy Murphy’s 2011 National Hunt Festival winner – could reappear at Wetherby on Friday week after disappointing at Cheltenham on Saturday when blundering badly at the third.

Next month’s Paddy Power Gold Cup remains the grey’s primary target.