FRANKIE’S farewell tour returned to the UK on Tuesday – and it took him just three rides to bag a winner at Newmarket.
Legendary jockey Dettori, 52, coasted home by four lengths on the 10-11 favourite Covey in the seven-furlong maiden race at his local track.
He has spent the winter soaking up the Californian sun and riding a load of winners at Santa Anita in LA.
But it looked like his eagerly-anticipated return to these shores was going to get off to an anti-climactic start.
He failed to beat another horse on his first two rides, with the King’s horse and one-time Derby hopeful Reach For The Moon especially disappointing in the Group 3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes.
Making his seasonal reappearance in first-time blinkers, Dettori let him stride on early doors but he quickly fell in a hole when challenge around two furlongs out.
Bet UK: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets and Bonuses – CLAIM HERE
William Hill: Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets (MOBILE ONLY)* – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Horse Racing Bets – CLAIM HERE
Bet UK: New customers only. 7 days to deposit and stake £10 minimum bet at odds of 1.5 or greater to qualify. Max 3x £10 free bets credited on bet settlement. Free bets must be used on 4 or more selections with selection odds of 1.3 or greater. Free bets non-withdrawable and stake not returned with winnings. 7 day expiry. 18+ BeGambleAware.org.
William Hill – 18+. Pla18+. Play Safe. When you sign-up via Mobile using promo code N40 and place a bet of £10/€10 or more we will give you 4x £10/€10 free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. begambleaware.org
Betfair – New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy’s Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: 18+NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. 3 X £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ONLY REDEEMABLE ON HORSE RACING. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+ Begambleaware.org
And he was also out of luck on his first ride of the day, when Unforgotten finished last in the Close Brothers Handicap.
But Covey always looked his best chance on paper, and so it proved out on the race track.
There was a pretty sparse crowd at Flat HQ on day one of the Craven Meeting, but they greeted Dettori with cheers and applause and he responded with a smile and a wave.
Dettori grinned: “It’s great to be back here with a winner and he looks like a nice horse.
“There is still plenty to do!”
More to follow…
A responsible gambler is someone who:
