Former Champion jockey Frankie Dettori claims depression caused by Godolphin’s decision to remove him from his role as their top rider was the trigger that led to his drugs ban.
The Italian has served a six-month suspension after testing positive for cocaine in France in September and returns to the saddle at Leicester on Monday.
In an exclusive interview with Channel 4 News’ Clare Balding, Dettori, 42, pointed towards his fall down the hierarchy of jockeys at Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation as a contributing factor to his situation.
“I’m very ashamed and embarrassed, and paid a very big price for it, you know. I spent six months not doing the thing that I love, racing,” he said.
“Up until about two years ago I was having the best time of my life and then for some reason things have changed.
“We had a new trainer, new way of doing things and I didn’t know whether I was in or out.
“My first 17 years of my riding career at Godolphin, I was always the number one pick.
“All of a sudden I saw myself being the fourth in the biggest race in the world, and it started from there and it was never an explanation why and what, you know. I had to accept it for unknown reasons.
“My head was wrecked, absolutely wrecked. I couldn’t take it any more.
“You start getting depressed, I wasn’t sleeping at night, I was arguing with my wife.
“But then you think maybe I will be all right next week, maybe I will be back in favour. But things kept on getting worse.”
Dettori admitted he knew his decision to accept a ride on Camelot in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for Godolphin’s arch rivals Coolmore would finally bring about his exit from Sheikh Mohammed’s team.
“Getting the ride on Camelot was like winning the lottery, I felt wanted again. For me it was a way out of the job,” he said.
“I didn’t want to leave, I was the happiest man in the world but in a way they forced my hand to leave. Another six months there and I would have ended up in the Priory (rehab centre). I was done in.
“In hindsight, I should perhaps have confronted Godolphin. I knew then when I did ride the horse that was me finished. For me wanting to leave as much for them wanting to get rid of me. I couldn’t take any more and the rest is history.”
AFP gjw