Dettori ‘saddened and embarrassed’ in tax dispute, while a former jockey is banned for ten years in illegal betting scheme in Australia and a UK apprentice is charged with murder – all this and more in our weekly digest
Frankie Dettori to file for bankruptcy in tax dispute
GB: Frankie Dettori, the world’s best-known jockey, has revealed he is filing for bankruptcy after being unsuccessful in his attempts to resolve financial difficulties with HMRC (His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs).
Dettori, 54, is currently based in the US. “For the last six months, my advisers have been working with HMRC in an attempt to find a solution to my financial situation,” he said, referring to a dispute over a scheme designed to reduce income tax payments.
“Regretfully, I will be filing for bankruptcy,” he went on. “I am saddened and embarrassed by this outcome and would advise others to take a stronger rein over their financial matters. Bankruptcy is a major decision and its consequences will affect me for many years.” More here
Laurel River out of Dubai World Cup
UAE: Laurel River will not defend his Dubai World Cup title after connections revealed they had run out of time to get him ready for the April 5 showpiece at Meydan.
The seven-year-old, who did not run again last year after his stunning 8½-length victory in Dubai’s biggest race, suffered a shock defeat on his comeback in G3 company at Meydan in January. He was then ruled out of the Saudi Cup following a setback – and now he is out of the Dubai World Cup as well.
Trainer Bhupat Seemar reported: “Laurel River is doing very good but after his last gallop we realise that there won't be enough time to get him fit for a race of this calibre. “Juddmonte decided to give him the time and he can come back for the Saudi Cup and Dubai World Cup in 2026.” More here
• Probable Dubai World Cup fields More here
Prolific Californian sprinter The Chosen Vron retired
USA: Prolific sprinter The Chosen Vron, Californian-bred Horse of the Year for the last two seasons, has been retired. A winner of 19 of his 25 career starts (18 of them in stakes company) as part of trainer Eric Kruljac’s five-horse string, the seven-year-old gelding had been sidelined since an ankle injury ruled him out of last year’s Breeders’ Cup.
The Chosen Vron won back-to-back editions of the G1 Bing Crosby at Del Mar in 2023-24. Explaining the decision to retire him, Kruljac told the Blood-Horse: “It's just wear and tear. We just don’t want to risk any further injury, especially since he’s seven.” More here
Triumphant return out of retirement for Pride Of Jenni
Australia: The remarkable Pride Of Jenni made a winning comeback in a G2 event in Melbourne on Saturday [March 15] – four months after her retirement had been announced.
Owner Tony Ottobre called time on the mare’s career after she bled in the Champions Mile in November. However, he reversed that decision – and she returned to action to win the Peter Young Stakes in typical swashbuckling style under new rider Craig Newitt at Caulfield. More here
Pride Of Jenni returns to Thoroughbred Racing Commentary’s Global Rankings at #15. Three-year-old filly Lady Shenandoah (#13 from #20, +48pt) moves up the list after recording her third G1 victory in the Coolmore Classic at Rosehill.
• Via Sistina odds-on for Ranvet Stakes More here
Ten-year ban for former jockey over illegal betting scheme
Australia: Former jockey Lewis German has been warned off for ten years for his role in an illegal betting scheme that returned a profit in excess of A$250,000 ($157,000/£121,000) in a four-month period in 2022.
German’s penalty was meted out on Tuesday [March 18] at a meeting of the Victorian Racing Tribunal, where evidence was presented detailing 89 ‘lay’ bets – in effect, betting on horses to lose – placed by professional gambler Noah Brash on the jockey’s mounts between April and August 2022. All but two of those bets were successful.
“I have not received any money,” German told the tribunal. “I believed there was going to be money,” added the rider. “I am here to apologize to the racing community and to everyone who trusted in me. I feel like I let them down.” More here
Apprentice jockey charged with Newmarket murder
GB: An apprentice jockey has been charged with murder following an altercation outside a pub in Newmarket earlier this month.
Levi Williams, 25, was on police bail after being arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm after emergency services were called when a fight involving four men broke out outside the Golden Lion pub on Newmarket High Street during the afternoon of March 8.
When a 71-year-old man died in hospital after being injured in the incident, Williams was re-arrested on Tuesday [March 18] and charged with murder. Williams, who has ridden 12 winners, served an 18-month ban after testing positive for cocaine in May 2023, when he had his last ride. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: ‘The horse is ready to run now’ – Chad Brown on Sierra Leone comeback More here
USA: Saratoga stakes schedule announced – Travers card is Aug 23 More here
USA: Jockey Ferrin Peterson ruptures spleen in paddock accident More here
GB: Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Inothewayurthinkin to miss Grand National More here
Australia: Everest winner Bella Nipotina retired More here
Hong Kong: HK Derby barrier draw More here
Hong Kong: International stars headline stellar Champions Day [Apr 17] entry More here
Japan: G1 winner Geoglyph set for Doncaster Mile in Sydney More here
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