FRANKIE Dettori has warned his weighing room rivals they haven’t seen the back of him just yet.
The most famous man in racing turns 50 this season but has no plans apart from continuing to ride those big race winners.
After a stellar 2019, Dettori remains a rider in demand and with the likes of Enable, Stradivarius and Logician to look forward to again, why would he hang up the saddle?
The Sporting Index ambassador said: “Having no racing has been a bit like being retired… and I don’t like it!
“I’ll be 50 later this year but I’ll be giving myself a couple more seasons at least.
“My body can still do it and I’m still in demand, so long may it continue.
“There’s a possibility that Stradivarius will run in the Coronation Cup on the Friday [at Newmarket].
“Strad is full of himself, he thinks he’s a stallion and is looking really well. His main target is obviously the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, but John [Gosden] felt that a prep race before then would do him plenty of good.”
No other jockey enjoys the big stage and bright lights more than Dettori and he admits it will be strange having no crowds when racing returns.
He said: “I love the crowds and it’s going to be a lot different performing in front of empty stands. Hopefully come July they can start to begin letting people attend meetings, but at least we are going to be back competing and that’s the main thing for now.
“The Guineas, Royal Ascot and the Classics at Epsom all come within four weeks of each other, so it’s going to be a busy time with plenty to focus on.
“I spoke to Mark Johnston a week ago and he’s very keen to run Raffle Prize in the 1000, so that looks to be my most likely ride there. She’s a wonderful filly and I’ll look forward to getting back on her again.
“It doesn’t look like John has anything lined up for the 2000, so I could be free to take a ride in that.”
The apple to his eye Enable will be back for more this season and while Dettori is yet to jump on board this season, he cannot wait to get going with the wonder mare.
He said: “I’ve been going to John’s four times a week, so I’ve obviously seen a lot of Enable. I’ve not sat on her yet, but I’ll go and see her and give her a few apples, polos or whatever she fancies.
“From head to toe she looks as good as she did last season, she’s bouncing around and walking about the yard like she owns the place.
“We’ve still got some time to go before she starts racing but I’d say it’s a similar plan to last year, starting with the Eclipse at Sandown and then everything working backwards from a tilt at winning a third Arc.
“I’m so happy that Prince Khalid Abdullah has kept her in training and given her one more chance to fulfil this dream.”
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