Frankie Dettori salutes the crowd on Nothing Like You
Frankie Dettori salutes the crowd on Nothing Like You

Frankie Dettori lands Kentucky Derby ride on Society Man


Frankie Dettori has picked up the mount on Society Man in the Kentucky Derby on May 4.

Dettori quit the UK to ride in America full time last year and repeatedly stated one of his main goals was to secure a ride in America’s most famous race.

Having not ridden in the Churchill Downs feature since finishing unplaced on Saeed bin Suroor’s China Visit in 2000 behind Fusaichi Pegasus, the Italian will be pleased to be involved, even though Danny Gargan’s colt will be among the outsiders.

He was last seen finishing second in the Grade Two Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct.

“I’m excited to have him (Dettori),” Gargan told Daily Racing Form.

“He’s riding great. I know it’s a race he wants to be in and a race he wants to win.”

Getting to know the Two Year Olds: Richard Fahey

Another former UK-based jockey will also be involved as Ben Curtis will retain the ride on the Whit Beckman-trained Honor Marie, who finished second in the Louisiana Derby on his most recent appearance.

“It was definitely on my to-do list, but it’s come around a bit quicker than I thought,” Curtis told www.bloodhorse.com. “It’s a fantastic opportunity and on a horse that I think could show up brilliant on the day.

“He was beaten a length last time. A length is easy enough to turn around.

“It’s a credit to Whit and the owners for sticking by me. I’ve had a lot of experience riding around the world. A lot of people in America probably wouldn’t know me, but I have a lot of credentials to my name. I think myself and the horse get along very well. If it’s working, don’t fix it.”


More from Sporting Life

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.

Like what you've read?

Next Off

00:14:44
9 Runners, 7f 209y
Going: Standard
Surface: Fibresand
1
(5)
Horse silk
J: A Gavilan
T: Guillemin (s)
9
(9)
Horse silk
J: J B Eyquem
T: Francois Rohaut
6
(2)
Horse silk
J: F Veron
T: E D Monfort
Follow & Track
Image of a horse race faded in a gold gradientYour favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My Stable
Log in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits

Most Followed

Horse silk

C'est Different

F: 65471

T: S Thomas

Horse silk

Asa

F: 45P121

T: P A Kirby

Horse silk

Tanganyika

F: 130-541

T: Miss V Williams

Horse silk

Buckna

F: 1-232

T: W Greatrex

Horse silk

Jackie Hobbs

F: 1-1

T: Harry Derham