FRANKIE Dettori will miss York’s Ebor Festival after opting to ride in France this weekend.
After the government’s decision to remove the country from its exempt list, Dettori will be forced to self-quarantine for seven days on his return.
The Italian and other jockeys had hoped an elite athlete exemption would see them not have to self-isolate.
But despite conversations between the BHA, PJA and Public Health England on Friday, little could be done.
After taking a test for COVID on his return, Dettori will be required to pass another test a week later to get the all clear to return.
Instead of heading to the Knavesmire, he has opted to ride French Derby winner Mishriff and John Gosden stablemate Palace Pier at Deauville.
The latter of those runs in the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois on Sunday, up against the likes of Circus Maximus, Alpine Star and Persian King.
Dettori will miss the plum ride on Lord North in the Juddmonte International and the likes of Frankly Darling in the Yorkshire Oaks.
Gosden has already begun planning for the absence of his star jockey, with James Doyle in line to ride Lord North again after the pair struck at Royal Ascot.
The BHA said: “Any jockey, trainer or member of stable staff wishing to participate in a French fixture after August 15 will either have to self-isolate for 14 days on return, or elect to use the elite athlete exemption.
“This requires undergoing two covid-19 tests upon return to the UK. The first test should be taken as soon as is possible following return to the UK and a second test seven days on from return to the UK.
“Both test results will have to be negative and the participant would also have to satisfy any other requirements that the BHA’s medical department may impose.”
Newmarket handler Gosden admitted the news was a setback, but that Dettori’s priority is the French runners this weekend.
That may have been different had Enable not re-routed from York to Kempton earlier in the week.
Gosden said: “These plans have been in place for a while – for Palace Pier since the St James’s Palace and for Mishriff since the Prix du Jockey Club.
“He would prefer to ride this weekend. It is far from ideal to miss York, but these are strange times that we live in.”
