Dettori takes time off ahead of Goodwood

Frankie Dettori will take another week off ahead of the Goodwood festival as he continues his recovery from a troublesome shoulder injury.

Dettori, who was hurt in a mounting yard incident at Yarmouth on June 13, missed Royal Ascot including the winning ride on Big Orange in the Gold Cup.

Big Orange, who has run in the past two Melbourne Cups, is favourite to win his third Goodwood Cup on August 1.

Dettori rode Enable to win the Irish Oaks on Saturday and also rode in France the following day.

“I’m feeling good mentally, but I feel a bit stiff and tired today as I rode three races back to back yesterday. My arms are a little bit tired,” Dettori said.

“I will be taking the rest of week off riding in races, but I will be riding out and carrying on my strengthening and physio.

“The reason is I want to be riding at (Glorious) Goodwood in every race. I did come back a little prematurely. Enable was a big carrot dangling and was my incentive.

“I had to grit my teeth and go through the pain barrier, but we got the job done.”

He singled out Big Orange as the horse he is most looking forward to riding at Goodwood.

“Big Orange has captured the people’s imagination, even before his epic win in the Gold Cup,” he said.

“He has won the Goodwood Cup twice and he wears his heart on his sleeve. He will be a horse that everybody will be cheering for on Goodwood Cup day.”