Frankie Dettori banned for 19 days but freak fixture luck means he can still ride in Europe’s biggest race the Arc

FRANKIE DETTORI is counting his lucky stars after a freak break in the fixture list means he is free to ride in the Arc.

The Italian, 51, was slapped with another five-day ban for his ride on Haskoy in the St Leger on Sunday.

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That came on top of a 14-day ban picked up in Germany a week earlier.

Frankie will miss five consecutive days of action from October 3 – the day AFTER the Arc.

Because there is no Flat racing in Britain on that Sunday, the British Horseracing Authority could not ban him on that date.

His Germany ban – which came for striking defending Arc champ Torquator Tasso one too many times – ends the day before Paris blockbuster on October 2.

Frankie’s ride in the big race – a contest he has won six times, most recently doing the double with Enable in 2017-18 – is yet to be confirmed.

But the rider will likely get the pick of any plum spares that pop up.

Dettori told Sun Racing the door is still open to him riding 80-1 winner Torquator Tasso.

Last year’s winning jockey Rene Piechulek is contracted to ride for owner Stall Salzburg, who will likely have Mendocino in the big race.

Dettori finished last on Verry Elleegant on her European debut in a Deauville Group 1 at the end of August.

But a more encouraging show last weekend when she finished third in a Longchamp Group 2 has seemingly convinced connections the serial Australian winner is worth throwing in the big race.

Dettori picked up his latest ban for ‘careless riding’ in the St Leger last Sunday.

Dettori’s mount was demoted from second to fourth as a result of a late collision with Giavellotto – costing owners Juddmonte £127,000.

That horse was subsequently promoted to third, with New London, the 11-8 fav, bumped up to second.

Neil Callan, the rider of Giavellotto, was fuming afterwards and could be seen shouting at Frankie for his manoeuvre on the rail.

Haskoy’s trainer Ralph Beckett said: “The way the rules are written will be the basis of the appeal.”

Giavellotto’s trainer Marco Botti said: “I’m pleased as I didn’t think they would do anything.

“Neil stood his ground as Frankie came across and made sure he shouted. It’s very obvious we would have finished closer than fourth.”

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