Dettori free to target title again

The Italian is going freelance in 2013 after being retained by Sheikh Mohammed’s operation for the last 18 years, during which time he won the title three times in 1994, 1995 and 2004. His agent, ex-jockey Ray Cochrane, believes Dettori still has plenty to offer and an  attempt at winning the title could be on the cards.

“We will set our sights on winning most of the big races, if we can do, and will have a crack at being champion jockey,” he told racinguk.com. “It shouldn’t be too hard for him. We have discussed it in the past. The biggest thing of not being retained by Godolphin is that I can kick on five days in advance and make it my aim for him to ride the best horses.

“Godolphin didn’t let me know what he’s riding until 48 hours beforehand. He rides for a hell of a lot of trainers here in Newmarket and has links all over the world so he won’t go short of work. Being a professional sportsman is hard work and he’s ridden over 200 winners before.”

Meanwhile Canadian jockey Chantal Sutherland, best known for her partnership with multiple Grade One winner Game On Dude, has retired.

Sutherland, who rode in the Shergar Cup at Ascot this year, enjoyed a 13-year career with over 900 winners. The 36-year-old told her website: “It’s a very emotional experience. It’s sad, but I feel good about the decision and the timing is right for me. I hope to be remembered as a very good jockey. I’m  excited about my future and the challenges it will bring.

“I enjoy working hard and striving to achieve goals, so who knows; maybe you will see me pop up somewhere soon. I crossed paths with a horse that happened to change my life. That horse is named Game On Dude and what a horse! He’s a soldier. Together we travelled the world. We won the Santa Anita Big Cap, Goodwood, almost won the Breeders’ Cup Classic; we won the San Antonio, Hollywood Gold Cup, and the Californian. We travelled to Dubai and raced in the world’s richest race, the Dubai World Cup. I once craved, lived, and breathed racing. I can honestly say now, I’m ready to slow down and enjoy my life. Racing is so much hard work and takes so much mental toughness; I can honestly say that I’ve had enough.”

At Windsor yesterday, Richard Hughes’ suspension cost him the winner of the race named in honour of his epic achievement at the same course seven days earlier. The champion jockey elect produced an extraordinary 10,168-1 seven-timer last week, hence the naming of the Royal Windsor Hughesie Seven Handicap, and he was allowed to present the prize, as well as receiving a painting and a plaque on his weighing room peg.

As first-choice rider for Richard Hannon, Hughes would have ridden Aldwick Bey (5-1), but able substitute Pat Dobbs instead drove him three-quarters of a length clear of Snow Trooper. “Richard normally rides the horse, so we’ve played a part in the story,” said Aldwick Bey’s owner Ann Williams. “He was second here a fortnight ago and loves the ground and the track. He’s no great star but he’s as genuine as the day is long.”

Hughes, who was also signing copies of his autobiography, said: “You always hope it might happen, but it was an unbelievable day. I was listening to Frankie Dettori interviewed recently and he said only three jockeys in 300 years had ridden seven winners at a meeting, so it’s a great achievement.”

Hannon’s Authoritarian (9-2 co-favourite) was another that Hughes missed, closing the season under Willy Twiston-Davies in the skybet.com Stakes.