Frankie Dettori will ride Mishriff and Palace Pier in France with the subsequent quarantine he faces when returning to Britain ruling him out of the prestigious Ebor festival at York next week.
Dettori’s decision to ride the John Gosden-trained pair means he misses the ride on Lord North, winner of the Gr1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, in Wednesday’s Gr1 Juddmonte International, for which he is 4-1 second favourite behind Ghaiyyath.
However, the BHA outlined on Friday that any racing professional travelling to France could attempt to reduce their quarantine period to seven days by undergoing two Covid-19 tests on their return.
Palace Pier, winner of the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, contests the Gr1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville, while Prix du Jockey Club scorer Mishriff runs in the Gr2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano.
Gosden said on Friday: “Frankie will ride both Mishriff and Palace Pier at Deauville this weekend. Obviously it’s not ideal with the 14-day quarantine coming in and it means he’ll miss York, but these horses have been targeted at these races for some time and he was keen to ride them.
“The main ride he’ll miss is Lord North in the Juddmonte, but we thought it was worth doing.”
Dettori said on Friday: “I spoke to John [Gosden] at great length this morning. With no Enable or Stradivarius, my York rides were looking a little bit light. Lord North is still a big ride to miss and he was the one that was tempting me to stay.
“But both Mishriff and Palace Pier are exciting Group 1 winners too and the prize-money for the races at Deauville is unbelievable.”
He added in his Sporting Index blog: “Two weeks of staying at home afterwards isn’t ideal, but we’re racing for an incredible amount of money at Deauville and I thought it was worth taking the chance.
“It’s going to be very tough staying at home and watching the Ebor Festival, but after that the fixture list is quite quiet and on the balance of things I think going to France is a good choice.”
The introduction of the 14-day quarantine for those returning from France by the UK government from 4am today has thrown running and riding plans into chaos as connections weigh up whether or not to head to Deauville.
The full 14-day quarantine may not have to apply for those returning from France this weekend, the BHA outlined on Friday.
A statement read: “Any jockey, trainer or member of stable staff wishing to participate in a French fixture will either have to self-isolate for 14 days on return or elect to use the elite athlete exemption which 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 as part of a risk assessment process, such as being interviewed and providing details of accommodation and other movements whilst overseas.
“The BHA reserves the right to prevent the participant from returning to a race fixture in Britain until the full 14-day self-isolation period is up should there be any concerns regarding potential transmission of the virus.”
The BHA added: “The BHA has been assisting participants this week who have been considering riding in France in the near future, and will be publishing a full protocol for all participants considering travelling to countries without a travel corridor as soon as possible to assist in their planning.”
- www.racingpost.co.uk
