18 years on

Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori London - Agencies Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori revealed on Sunday that he is set to quit Godolphin stable owned by Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum after 18 years. The Italian has gradually lost his position as the team’s top rider due to the emergence of Mickael Barzalona and Silvestre de Sousa. The 41-year-old could still ride for Godolphin on a freelance basis, but Barzalona and de Sousa will be the stable’s retained riders for 2013. “Godolphin has been a major part of everything I have achieved in racing,” Dettori was quoted as saying by the BBC on Sunday. “I feel the time has come for a change. My position in the stable has changed a little bit and I need a new challenge. “Sheikh Mohammed has been an unbelievable boss to me. He had the confidence to take me on board when I was young and we smashed every record together. “I will be forever grateful to him for everything he has done for me and for my family.” Godolphin’s racing manager, Simon Crisford added: “Frankie has achieved so much on behalf of Godolphin and has made the difference between winning and losing on so many occasions in the world’s biggest races.