15 July 1998

THE STORY BEHIND THIS SUMMER'S BIGGEST COUP

Ballinrobe Race Committee has landed a major coup with the capture of racing's most popular figure - jockey, Frankie Dettori - for the forthcoming fixture on Monday. The exciting news was confirmed at the weekend but has been the area's best kept secret since negotiations began as far back as last March.

Dettori, along with his Racing manager Peter Burrell and his wife, will enjoy an overnight stay at the luxurious 12th century Ashford Castle, one of the country's most prestigious hotels.

Negotiations began over an informal meal, featuring some of racing's most influential figures, during the Cheltenham Festival last March.

Central to the capture of Dettori has been the tireless role played by Ballinrobe Race Committee member Peter Costello, who has been involved in the complex talks since their inception. Costello has been justifiably singled out for praise by his Committee colleagues.

Frankie is contractually retained by the largest equine company in the world - Godolphin Racing - which is a syndicate of members of the Maktoum family, super-rich 'oil shiekhs' and the ruling family in Dubai. Goldolphin are presently the most successful equine outfit in the world spending millions and millions purchasing expensive well-bred thoroughbred horses and collecting similar figures in stud fees and prize money.

Godolphin's horses are trained in Dubai during the winter, theoretically giving their horses an early season edge (due to the climate), while during the summer months trainer Saaed Bin Suroor will oversee their preparation in Newmarket - the Headquarters of Flat racing in England.

Undoubtedly, the most famous of the Maktoum brothers is Sheikh Mohammed, Dubai Defence Minister, whose maroon coloured racing silks are perhaps the most recognised in the world.

Sheikh Mohammed was just one of the many racing personalities involved in Dettori agreeing to visit Ballinrobe and the Sheikh's permission was paramount. Others involved include Michael Osborne, the Sheikh's representative in Ireland; Dettori's racing manager Peter Burrell; a major racehorse trainer based in Ireland as well as a leading figure in one of Europe's leading bookmaker chains, who is understood to have West of Ireland connections.

Dettori is regarded by many as the greatest talent the horse-racing world has seen for over half-a-century, perhaps 'the best since Lester Piggott', with bucket-loads of charisma to boot. The Daily Telegraph in London wrote "Frankie Dettori possesses the looks of an innocent choir-boy, the lifestyle of a loveable rogue, the dress-style befitting a Milanese millionaire and the riding skill of Wild Bill Hickock".

Dettori, 27, has had notable wins in the world top races - the Arc de Triomphe, the 2,000 Guineas in both England and France, the Oaks, the St. Leger, the Breeders Cup Mile, the Prix L'Abbaye, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, the Nunthorpe as well as numerous Group races in England, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, America, Australia, Dubai and Hong Kong.

Champion jockey in 1994 and 1995, Dettori had 1,000 rides in the UK in 1995 and rode a total of 215 winners, leaving him some 70 wins clear of his nearest rival. Married to Catherine, and a wealthy resident of Newmarket Heath, Frankie is much loved among the betting public for the fantastic seven timer he enjoyed at Ascot in 1996 when he went through the card and is renowned for celebrating Classic wins with a trademark ejector-seat leap from the saddle.

Dettori's visit is the icing on the cake for the Ballinrobe Race Committee who are on a tremendous roll of success.

The corresponding meeting last year (a two-day fixture, Monday and Tuesday) reached record levels of Tote Aggregate - the amount of money waged by race-goers at the Tote stalls and a figure which is used to measure the success of a meeting.

But, more significantly, Monday marks the opening of Ballinrobe Racecourse's new grandstand, the final leg in a ten-month development scheme designed to improve the amenities of the racecourse. The result is an impressive sprawling stand with new turnstiles, enclosure layout and bar facilities. More developments are to follow in the coming months.

Last month the racecourse turned over £64,000 on an ordinary Thursday evening (compared to Cork's £32,000 the week previous) and with a guaranteed jackpot of £10,000 on Monday, Ballinrobe will, weather permitting, get close to the golden £100,000 landmark. The grandstand will be officially opened by Irish Horseracing Authority Chairman Denis Brosnan, better known to many as the business face of the Kerry Group.

Ballinrobe Racecourse chairman John Staunton said last night "We are delighted that Frankie has been able to come to Ballinrobe. It's a great honour for us and indeed, we are very grateful that Denis Brosnan is coming to open our new stand. Let's hope that there is some rain this week so we get a generous amount of entrants".

Dettori's fee, it has been intimated, will take the form of a donation, by the Ballinrobe Race Committee, to the Injured Jockey's Fund. Frankie's appearance at the course on Monday, however, is subject to him not picking up any injuries or suspensions, in the interim. The hunt for possible mounts for the Italian has begun in earnest.

Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - July 1998