Frankie’s back!

Frankie is back in the saddle.

Frankie Dettori returned to the saddle today after more than six months on the sidelines following a failed drugs test in France last year.

Now riding freelance after splitting with Godolphin, for whom he used to be the number one jockey, he got the mount on the Ed Dunlop-trained Beatrice Aurore in the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes which opened Epsom’s Investec Derby Festival.

It was not a winning return – the horse finished last – and Frankie said: "It’s great to be back and I have two more chances, so you never know."

Sadly he didn’t find a winner on the next two rides either, but one can be sure he’ll ride his first winner soon. 

He does not have a ride in any of three QIPCO British Champions races over the next three days, however.