Dettori breaks left elbow and misses Royal Ascot

FRANKIE DETTORI will miss Royal Ascot after breaking his left elbow in a parade ring incident at Newbury yesterday. X-rays taken at the Royal Berkshire Hospital where the champion jockey was taken after falling from his mount Shawanni before the Ballymacoll Stud Stakes at Newbury revealed the extent of the injury.

And, according to the hospital's press officer Julie Fleet, Dettori will require surgery on the arm. In a statement from the hospital Mrs Fleet said "Frankie Dettori has been admitted to a private room in the Greenlands Ward of the Royal Berkshire Hospital where his condition, this evening, is comfortable.

"Mr Dettori has a break in his left elbow and surgery will be required.

"A decision will be taken tomorrow whether or not to transfer Mr Dettori to a hospital nearer his home." Dettori was on the Godolphin filly Shawanni when she suddenly reared over backwards onto her rider on the tarmac path, his left elbow taking the impact of the fall. The filly was withdrawn from the race. He was sat up on the ground for several minutes receiving attention before he was stretchered into an ambulance. Despite his obvious pain Dettori remained cheery but feared the elbow may be broken.

"I broke the other one a long time ago so I know what it feels like," he said. "My left elbow doesn't feel too good and I feel a bit shakey." Meanwhile, Ashkalani worked well at Chantilly yesterday and the unbeaten French 2,000 Guineas winner remains on course for a crack at the St James's Palace Stakes on Tuesday.

Trainer Alain de Royer Dupre confirmed that Michael Kinane will deputise for Gerald Mosse if the latter's appeal against a four day ban is unsuccessful today.

Also Royal Ascot bound is John Hammond's Prix Lupin third, Fort Nottingham, with the colt earmarked for a crack at the King Edward VII Stakes.

Connections can take comfort from the fact that Le Triton, fourth in the Lupin, has since romped home in the Group One Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly.

Owner Henri Chalhoub said. "I think it is a good engagement for the colt who is worth at least Group Two level. Besides I enjoy my trips to Britain."