FRANKIE DETTORI jetted off to Sardinia to be with his dad amid the fallout from being axed off key rides by trainer John Gosden.
But on his return today he is set for showdown talks with the legendary trainer about what the future holds.
Gosden's decision to replace Dettori, 51, on horses he usually rides this weekend has sent shockwaves through the sport.
It comes on the back of Dettori's nightmare aboard Stradivarius in the stayer's quest for a record-equalling fourth Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last week.
And Dettori getting turned over on the Queen's odds-on fav – and best chance of a winner – Reach For The Moon during the same week.
The iconic Italian was a runaway winner on superstar filly Inspiral in the Coronation Stakes for Team Gosden.
But that only slightly softened the blow on a week that promised so much but resulted in just one victory for the king of the course.
In Dettori's book Leap, he often writes of how he retreats to Sardinia during tough times to get away from it all and reset.
Most read in Horse Racing
DETTORI DUMPED? 
Dettori dropped by Gosden for weekend rides after dramatic Royal Ascot spat
After landing a 40-1 winner here's three more tips to bash the bookies
My NAP is desperate for this longer trip & can obliterate rivals at Donny
Hollie Doyle favourite to replace Frankie Dettori as John Gosden's No1
OFFERS OF THE DAY
William Hill: Bet £10 GET £30 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair – Money Back as Cash up to £20 if your first bet loses CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £/€20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet – Bet anything and get £30 in Free Bets –CLAIM HERE
William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. New customers using Promo code H30 only, Min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15, 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 – Max £/€20 refund on first bet. Bet must be placed in first 7 days of account opening. Only deposits made via Debit Card will be eligible for the promotion. T&Cs apply. 18+ BeGambleAware.Org
Paddy Power: Bet £/€20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – 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: NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY,FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY, 5p MINIMUM STAKE, 3 x £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS EXCLUDE VIRTUALS. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+ BEGAMBLEAWARE.ORG
In 2017 he jetted off there to recover from an injury that saw him abandon his Royal Ascot book of rides.
And in his book he wrote about an occasion in 2003 when, after making £500,000 in two hours from racing in Dubai, he went onto endure a 'crap, crap, crap summer'.
He said 'everything I touch turns to s***' as more of his rides seem to go to Jamie Spencer.
It's during this time he says again he goes to Sardinia to have a 'heart-to-heart' with his dad.
Dettori said: "For all the strife between us sometimes, he's the one guy I really need to talk to at times like this."
It can be seen as significant, then, that Dettori posted on Instagram a photo alongside his father Gianfranco.
Bookies think Hollie Doyle – a French Classic winner aboard Nashwa for Gosden last Sunday – is nailed on to replace Dettori as Gosden's No1.
James Doyle gets the ride on Sunray Major – a horse Dettori has ridden all but once – in the 3.15 at Newmarket tomorrow.
While Gosden's normal No2 Rab Havlin has been booked for Stowell.
Dettori's only ride on Saturday will be aboard 5-1 Lezoo in the 2.05 at Newmarket.
Gosden told the Racing Post on Friday morning: "Frankie was in Italy for a wedding in the week before Royal Ascot.
"Obviously he was at Ascot all last week and he then went to Sardinia after racing on the Saturday.
"I assume he will be back in the UK today when I will be able to see him for a meeting."
Dettori's manager Peter Burrell admitted he and the jockey were 'in the dark' about Gosden's decision to axe him.
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
Source: Read Full Article
