BILLY LOUGHNANE has been touted as the next Frankie Dettori by punters and he’ll have the best representation possible in his quest to fill those boots.
Dettori split with his long-term racing manager Pete Burrell last week after a 36-year stint and Loughnane will now be his racing focus.
Billy Loughane has been touted by punters as the next Frankie Dettori
Loughnane has enjoyed a meteoric rise this year and is already down to a 3lb claim in just his second year of riding.
After riding six winners from 61 rides last year, he’s surged into the spotlight in 2023 by riding 76 winners from 437 rides so far.
Despite the split, Burrell will be fully behind Dettori has he continues his farewell tour, which is touted to end at the Melbourne Cup in November.
It’s been a whirlwind year so far for Dettori, who won another 2,000 Guineas on Chaldean and enjoyed plenty of Royal Ascot success, including Gold Cup glory on Courage Mon Ami.
He missed his final chance to ride in the Coral-Eclipse and win his first July Cup at Newmarket, however, after two bans he picked up at the Royal meeting.
Frankie Dettori has looked unstoppable at times during his farewell tour
Talking to Racing Post about the split, Burrell said: “Frankie is having a change of direction and the same is true of me.
“I’m involved in a lot of other projects and really do feel that now is the right time to do this.
“I’m going to remain fully behind Frankie but I no longer want to have the daily involvement because there are other things I’m keen to focus on.
“This genuinely was a mutual decision. We’re both in great shape and I think Frankie should have a triumphant retirement.”
Burrell has plenty to look forward to with his new racing protege Loughnane, who rode in the 2,000 Guineas earlier this year.
Loughnane has caught the attention of the big stables too and has a 100 per cent record when riding for Charlie Appleby’s Godolphin operation.
Although the vast majority of his rides have been for his dad Mark, it seems like a matter of time before a big stable snaps up his signature.
