Frankie Dettori’s planned return to the saddle may be delayed with the British Horseracing Authority yet to issue him a licence.
The 42-year-old had planned to return to action at Leicester on Monday after serving a six-month ban for testing positive for cocaine at Longchamp following a race last September.
However, confusion has reigned over his status with France Galop, throwing his plans into disarray, with the BHA insisting it has not received the necessary clearance.
“The BHA has received notification from France Galop that they are not prepared to sanction Frankie Dettori as fit to race ride until he has had a meeting with their Medical Committee,” a BHA spokesman said.
“Consequently, in line with the position outlined to Dettori by the BHA’s Licensing Committee … and in the absence of clearance from France, no licence will be issued while such matters remain outstanding.”
France Galop’s head of media relations Julien Pescatore had earlier said that while Dettori cannot ride in France pending clarification on an unspecified matter, he is allowed to ride in Britain.
“We are just waiting for his medical file to be completed. We are awaiting some extra details from Frankie Dettori himself. This means he’s still not able to ride in France but, as of Monday, he can ride in England,” he said.
Whether the three-time champion jockey rides at Leicester or not, there will be no race named in his honour after plans for a contest commemorating the occasion were vetoed by the BHA.
“Confirmation that a race title at Leicester on Mon 20th May remains ‘British Stallion Studs Supporting British Racing EBF Maiden Stakes’,” the BHA tweeted.
“The proposed title of ‘EBF Welcome Back Frankie Maiden Stakes’ was never authorised by BHA & was not deemed appropriate.”
