France Galop have rejected reports that Frankie Dettori was specifically targeted for drug testing. This follows suggestions that the governing body of horseracing acted on information from a well-placed source.
It has been reported that the legendary jockey was taken by surprise by the test, following a tip-off from a third party.
Dettori had been tested six times in Britain during the 2012 Flat season and on each occasion returned negative samples.
Julien Pescatore, a director of press relations for France Galop said that on average five jockeys per day were tested , and this figure was upped to as much as twenty on the big days. Urine samples can detect metabolites of cocaine within hours of consumption.
The 41 year old Dettori has been caught with prohibited substances before, having received a police caution for cocaine possession in 1993.
Dettori faced France Galop’s medical commission of three doctors yesterday morning (20 November), where he was presented with the results of a positive drug test that took place in September.
On the day of the test, Dettori had ridden in four races at Longchamp, in what is a major day of prep races for Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe day in October. Dettori returned a positive test for a prohibited substance, reported – but unconfirmed – to be cocaine or a metabolite of the drug.
Embracing The Law. Dettori has tested negative six times this year in the UK
Dettori was one of five jockeys tested at Longchamp that day; three were given breathalyzers, and two were asked for urine samples.
The medical committee will now submit their report to the France Galop stewards, who will deliver their verdict following the findings. The stewards will meet in the next two weeks.
“The medical committee will give their decision to the jockey and as long as he has not received it, France Galop will not communicate anything,” Pescatore confirmed .
Pescatore also stated: “There are 700-900 tests on jockeys carried out each year. It is random, but every jockey can expect to be tested at least once a year.”
