Dettori switch in Shergar Cup

Aug 6 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

FRANKIE DETTORI will not now race at Haydock on Saturday but will instead ride for Britain in the Shergar Cup at Ascot.

The Italian-born jockey has been a fixture at Ascot’s annual team competition, but he has usually ridden for the Rest Of The World, while in 2007 he was part of the Europe side when the format changed. But now he will represent Britain alongside Hayley Turner and Seb Sanders.

Having lived and worked in England for more than 25 years, Dettori said: “I’m delighted to be riding in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup again.

“Obviously I’m changing teams having ridden for Europe last year but I have lived here for 25 years and been British champion jockey three times so I think I’m pretty well qualified to join Hayley and Seb on the home team. I’m claiming dual nationality – my Arsenal shirt is my passport!”

With Ryan Moore due to ride either Gulf Express or Spanish Moon for Sir Michael Stoute in the toteswinger Rose Of Lancaster Stakes, the feature of Haydock’s seven-race card, a vacancy arose at Ascot.

Dettori stepped into the breach and Ascot head of public relations said: “Ryan’s confirmation of commitments elsewhere coincided with a call from Frankie’s agent to let us know that Godolphin were unexpectedly able to release him, so everything fell into place really.

“Having won all five British Classics, ridden 39 Royal Ascot winners and lived here almost all his working life, if anyone can justifiably claim to have a foot in two camps, Frankie can. The reality is that Ascot means Frankie and to most people, Frankie means racing.”

The Ireland team contains Jamie Spencer as captain plus Richard Hughes and Kevin Manning while Europe will be represented by Gerald Mosse, Mirco Demuro, Halis Karatas.

The Rest Of The World has Japanese legend Yutaka Taka and the two winning-most jockeys of all time, Russell Baze and Jorge Ricardo.

TODAY’S NAP: The History Man (4.10pm Pontefract).