Frankie Dettori ‘gutted’ by split from Gosden stable following Royal Ascot fallout 

Frankie Dettori was said to be ‘gutted’ after his job as John and Thady Gosden’s main jockey came to a dramatic end.

The future of 51-year-old Dettori had been the subject of intense speculation after he was not booked to ride any of three Gosden-trained runners at Newmarket on Saturday afternoon — including regular mounts Stowell and Sunray Major — despite riding the Ralph Beckett-trained Lezoo at the meeting.

That followed criticism of Dettori’s performance at Royal Ascot last week from John Gosden, particularly for his ride on Stradivarius who hit trouble in running and finished third in pursuit of a record-equalling fourth Gold Cup.

Frankie Dettori’s riding at Royal Ascot was criticised by top trainer John Gosden (left)

Dettori returned from a break in Sardinia on Thursday to find he had not been booked for Saturday’s runners and the split was confirmed after talks between the two parties on Friday night.

Peter Burrell, Dettori’s business partner, said: ‘The split has happened. We go on to pastures new with a free rein. As of Monday Frankie is back looking for some good rides and knowing Frankie he will get on a couple of good ones.

‘After such a long and fruitful relationship with (Gosden’s) Clarehaven Stable on and off over the last 30 years Frankie is absolutely gutted not to be their principal rider. After eight turbulent days we wish the yard the best of luck in the future.’

Tensions in the partnership had been apparent as Dettori endured a torrid Royal Ascot 

Gosden was particularly unhappy with the running of Stradivarius in the Ascot Gold Cup 

Dettori rekindled his link with the Gosden stable in 2015 and in 2018 gave up his role as retained rider for Al Shaqab Racing to become more available to Gosden.

In recent years their successes have included the 2015 Derby with Golden Horn, who also won the Arc, and two more Arcs with wonder mare Enable.

Dettori’s last big win for the Gosden stable was Inspiral in last week’s Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

John Gosden said: ‘Frankie and I have amicably decided to take a sabbatical from the trainer-jockey relationship but we remain the closest of friends and colleagues.

‘Frankie has been – and always will be – one of the family here so I wanted to meet face to face after he returned from his holiday.

‘I do not intend to appoint (another) stable jockey.’