- The legendary jockey is preparing to reunite with Emily Upjohn for Breeders Cup
- The $5m stake in Del Mar, California, takes place on Saturday
John Godsen is convinced Frankie Dettori’s mental well-being has been dramatically revitalised by his decision to pursue a new life in America.
The world’s most famous jockey will reunite with his old boss for the first time in a year on Saturday when he partners Emily Upjohn in the $5million Breeders Cup Turf and the mare moved beautifully around Del Mar’s tight turns for him on Wednesday morning.
Dettori took the decision 12 months ago to leave England behind, so he could take a new challenge in California. He is 54 now but he has been riding as well as he has ever done and it would be no surprise if he coaxed a first win of the year from Emily Upjohn.
What has impressed Gosden more than anything, though, is the way Dettori looks and sounds. He was worn down by the grind of British racing and while his presence has been missed, the Newmarket trainer is adamant it was the right decision.
Frankie Dettori is settling into his new life in the USA, after moving to California 12 months ago
The jockey will reunite with Emily Upjohn as they look to win the Breeders Cup in Del Mar
Trainer John Godsen (left) has commended the change in Dettori (right) since his US move
‘He’s in as good of form as ever,’ said Gosden. ‘He got sick of all the travelling and being on the road back home, and all the traffic in the UK. Let’s face it, he really liked the big races at the weekends at the big meetings. It was the day-to-day stuff.
‘Jockeys are not riding every day over here. People underestimate who hard it is on jockeys in the UK and in Ireland. They’re riding seven days a week. They can be riding at 8.30 at night on some all-weather track.
‘The workload on jockeys in our country is much too harsh. They’re phenomenal athletes and a lot of them aren’t able to eat or drink normal amount of food. They can’t sweat at the races anymore.
‘I think they have a really, really tough time and that is underestimated by our authorities. It’s a much nicer, better lifestyle over here. People on the outside don’t realise how hard it is on our jockeys in our country, both physically and mentally.’
Dettori has ridden 15 Breeders Cup winners, a tally which puts him fourth in the all-time list for racing’s world championship, and he spoke frankly when he said the only thing he misses about life at home is Arsenal.
‘It’s not the same when you are getting up at 7am to watch football,’ he said. ‘I miss going to the game and, of course, I miss the big days and the big races. But I have moved on and I have got this challenge. This is what I needed.’
