FRANKIE DETTORI has opened up on the moment that has haunted him for more than 20 years – saying it forced him to weep in the arms of wife Catherine.
Dettori, 52, is embarking on his final farewell season as a jockey.
AP:Associated PressDettori’s infamous ride on Swain in the 1998 Breeders’ Cup Classic is one that still haunts him[/caption]
GettyDettori said he needed the help of wife Catherine after the soul-crushing defeat in one of the world’s biggest races[/caption]
He has been racing in Santa Anita in California, before taking in money-spinning trips to the Middle East.
All the British Classics will be part of his plan for the summer months before one final outing at the Breeders’ Cup in November.
It has already been an emotional few weeks for the world’s most famous jockey.
And in a revealing interview with Past The Wire, the usually bulletproof Italian opened up on one occasion that is still painful nearly 25 years on.
Dettori visibly winced recalling his ride on Swain in the 1998 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
One report claimed Dettori ‘completely lost his self-control’ down the straight at Churchill Downs.
Most read in Horse Racing
OFFERS OF THE DAY
William Hill: Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: £5 in Free Bets when you place a £10 bet on Horse Racing – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 on Racing and get £30 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Ladbrokes: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
Coral: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. When you sign-up via Mobile using promo code P40 and place a bet of £10/€10 or more we will give you 4x £10/€10 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. Virtual markets excluded. #ad begambleaware.org
Betfair – Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: Applies to £10+ singles placed on any Horse racing market, min odds 1/2 (1.5). £5 Free bet will be awarded after qualifying bet settlement, valid for 30 days. Opt-In Required. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: New customers only. First single & e/w bet only odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets only redeemable on horse racing. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further t&cs apply.
Ladbrokes: 18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £/€5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Coral: Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org
Swain hung badly across the track, finishing third, a length behind winner Awesome Again.
Dettori originally blamed the floodlights for forcing the horse to veer wildly, then claimed he went wide to avoid a tussle with runner-up Silver Charm.
He admits now he messed up – and has revealed the emotional toll it took on him.
Dettori said: “The occasion got to me and I wasn’t cool enough to handle the occasion.
“I was 28, 29, I was doing well but it was a big learning curve.
“I remember flying back to New York and I was crying that day with my wife.
“It left a sour taste in my mouth, but you learn from it.
“Nobody has a perfect career. You have got to accept your mistakes.
“I made a mistake and I learned from it – you have got to stay cool under pressure.”
Dettori will be hoping that advice serves him well when he attempts to land the biggest payday of his career in Saudi Arabia next month.
He will get the ride on Country Grammer in the $20million Saudi Cup – the world’s richest race.
The winner will pocket £8.7million, with the jockey likely to get a ten per cent cut of around £870,000.
After that Dettori will look to ride an emotional winner on Lanfranco, a Frankel colt he has named after himself.
The hope is that Lanfranco, who is out of Coronet, a horse Dettori rode to five of her six career wins, will prove a phenomenon on the track when hopefully making his debut around September time.
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 playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chases their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org Read More