Racing:A verdict on any suspension to arise from Frankie Dettori's failed drugs test at Longchamp on September 16th is not expected today. Dettori was asked to attend a hearing of the Medical Commission of France Galop at 11.30am this morning, with the opportunity to explain his version of events.
The commission will make their findings known to France Galop and it is understood the stewards will meet in two weeks’ time to discuss it.
Dettori’s solicitor Christopher Stewart-Moore released a statement last week which said the jockey would appear before the medical committee of the French racing authority in Paris. It has been widely reported Dettori failed the test due to the presence of cocaine and faces a six-month ban, which is expected to be reciprocated by racing jurisdictions worldwide.
Stewart-Moore declined to name the substance involved, but said it was “not a performance-enhancing drug”. Dettori had four rides at Longchamp on September 16th, a day of major trials for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting the following month.
Dettori made the headlines last month when his 18-year association with powerful owners Godolphin came to an end, with the three-times champion jockey planning to ride as a freelance in 2013. A number of bookmakers have now, however, removed Dettori from their betting for next year’s jockeys’ championship.
Kieren Fallon was banned six months by France Galop in 2006 after returning a positive test for a metabolite of a banned substance. France Galop then banned him a further 18 months after a second positive test in August 2007.
Dettori himself was cautioned by police for possession of cocaine in 1993.