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Frankie Dettori to team up with Redkirk Warrior at Royal Ascot

Frankie Dettori celebrates after riding Enable to win the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Image: Frankie Dettori celebrates after riding Enable to win the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

Frankie Dettori has been booked to ride top Australian sprinter Redkirk Warrior in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The seven-year-old has been partnered by Regan Bayliss in seven of his last eight outings, including when winning Group One events at Flemington on his two latest starts.

However, connections have decided to secure the services of Dettori for the six-furlong feature on June 23.

Trainer David Hayes told www.racing.com: "We have decided to go with someone who has the experience, and no one (riding currently) has had more winners at Royal Ascot than Frankie Dettori.

"Regan will continue to ride Redkirk Warrior whenever he races in Australia, but when the horse races overseas we have decided to stick with overseas jockeys.

"The decision was made through discussions with myself and Redkirk Warrior's owner and for us experience was the key.

"We settled on either Frankie Dettori or Ryan Moore, but Ryan will ride Merchant Navy in the same race so we have booked Frankie.

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"I spoke to Regan (on Thursday) morning and he is disappointed as you would imagine, but does he understand he retains the ride when the horse runs in Australia."

Redkirk Warrior began his racing career in Britain, winning twice over 10 furlongs as a three-year-old for William Haggas in 2014 before initially switching to Hong Kong and then on to Australia in 2016.

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