Frankie Dettori will partner the Dermot Weld-trained horse Hazapour in this year’s Epsom Derby, according to a report on the Racing Post.
The jockey is seeking the third Derby winner of his career, with his last victory coming in 2015.
Weld announced the news and was visibly delighted to be working with Dettori once again. He said:
I can confirm that Frankie Dettori will ride Hazapour in the Derby. He has ridden for me a few times in the past.
With our retained jockey Pat Smullen sadly out of action, we don’t have a retained jockey and we decided that Frankie was the obvious man to go for because of all his Epsom experience.
This year’s Epsom Derby is the 239th annual running of the event. There will be about £1.5m up for grabs this year at the Epsom Downs Racecourse.
Dettori is expected to challenge for victory but will need to keep a close eye on John Gosden’s Roaring Lion, who is being widely tipped for victory.
One thing for sure, it promises to be a brilliant race on 2 June, with Hazapour having between a 12-1 and 16-1 chance of winning.
