Dettori to ride for Aga Khan in Derby
Frankie Dettori has been called up to ride Hazapour in the Derby at Epsom for owner the Aga Khan and trainer Dermot Weld.
Dettori has won the world’s premier Classic twice, with Authorized in 2007 and Golden Horn in 2015, with Weld’s sole success coming through Harzand two years ago.
Harzand was the latest of the Aga Khan’s five winners with his first Shergar in 1981.
“It’s a great honour to ride for the Aga Khan. He is steeped in history with the race and has so many good memories,” Dettori told Press Association Sport.
“It is a great honour to wear his colours. He is a nice horse coming into the race and he put in a good performance in the Derby Trial at Leopardstown.”
That victory in the Group Three Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial secured a place in next week’s Derby line-up for Hazapour, who is from the same family as Harzand.
Weld is currently without the services of stable jockey Pat Smullen who was diagnosed with a tumour in March.
“I’m very excited, but my thoughts go out to Pat Smullen. I’ve got the ride in unfortunate circumstances,” Dettori said.
“I know Pat very well and he is a good friend of mine and we’ve been keeping in touch and I’m sure he will give me help about the horse.
“The Aga Khan’s breeding operation is steeped in history and this horse has got the right pedigree for it. The combination of Dermot Weld and the Aga Khan is amazing and the history they have in the Derby is amazing.”
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