Racing: World-wide ban imposed upon Dettori

As well as the glamour, there has been mischievousness for Frankie Dettori this year, a sinning season which culminated in a 21-day blanket suspension yesterday, the first of its kind imposed by the Jockey Club.

Dettori will now miss the lucrative Japan Cup, which he collected on Singspiel 12 months ago, as well as the Super Jockeys' Challenge, another bank manager-pleasing event, also in Japan. The last seven days of his ban have been deferred until the start of the next Flat turf season and will be activated only if he transgresses in the interim.

Dettori's latest crime was of careless riding at Goodwood. It was his sixth offence of the season and a suspension of 21 days was almost inevitable.

It was, however, the first time a punishment had been extended to racing outside Britain. Luca Cumani's Mons will now need a new partner in Tokyo a week tomorrow. "I'm not just missing the Japan Cup but the Super Jockeys' championship the week after when I was meant to represent England," the jockey said yesterday. "It's a huge payday for us and something I always like to do.

"I was planning to ride on the all-weather because I was going to Japan and I wanted to keep fit, but obviously that's not going to be possible now.

"Let's not forget that racing is a very competitive sport and when you go at 40mph you make a split decision and sometimes you make a slight error.

``I don't complain at all about the system, but I just feel a little bit unfortunate it's happened to me this year. Let's hope I can keep a clean sheet next year and win some good races.''