Dettori cleared to race in time for Derby

PARIS (AFP) –

Italian jockey Lanfranco “Frankie” Dettori riding African Story on March 31, 2012 in Dubai. Dettori has been given a last minute reprieve enabling him to compete in Saturday’s Epsom Derby.

Frankie Dettori has been given a last minute reprieve enabling him to compete in Saturday’s Epsom Derby.

Dettori, who won the Derby in 2007 on Authorized, had been given a six-month worldwide suspension at the end of last year for what was then described as “a serious infraction of the doping rules”.

The 42-year-old English-based Italian later admitted it was for having taken cocaine.

Although his suspension was due to run out before the Derby, the British Horseracing Authroity said he must be given a clean bill of health by French authority France Galop before he can race again in Britain.

And that has now been confirmed.

“On the 28 May 2013 Mr Lanfranco (Frankie) Dettori was seen by the Medical Committee at the France Galop premises,” said a France Galop statement.

“Today (Thursday), the Medical Committee received the information it required. In the light of this latest evidence, it decided to lift the medical contraindication (an indication that something is ill-advised) on him race riding in France. The jockey has been informed of this decision.”