Frankie Dettori wins on his first ride since split from Gosden stable

On his first ride since taking a “sabbatical” from his relationship with John and Thady Gosden, Frankie Dettori partnered Lezoo to victory at Newmarket.

It became apparent that all was not well with the Dettori and Gosden association on Thursday when the jockey’s name appeared alongside the Ralph Beckett-trained filly in the Maureen Brittain Memorial Empress Fillies’ Stakes, but not the Gosden-trained horses on the same card.

By Friday evening Gosden senior announced that the pair had paused their working relationship – without closing the door for good – but if Dettori has shown anything during his illustrious career, it is that he is a dangerous man with a point to prove.

It briefly looked like Lezoo had a mountain to climb as Malrescia kicked clear at Headquarters, but Dettori’s timing was on point and she won going away by a length and three-quarters.

Despite producing a trademark flying dismount in the winners’ enclosure afterwards, Dettori was reserved when speaking afterwards. “I haven’t been away, I’ve only been off for five days,” he said. “I’m really touched by the support though and I didn’t expect that, so it was great.”

Dettori has a close relationship with owner Marc Chan and his racing manager Jamie McCalmont described the victory as an “emotional” one.

“I don’t need to say anything do I! It feels good and it’s great to see him have this reception,” he said “I’m quite emotional, it’s like winning a Group One race and it’s a Listed race. What more can I say, he made the horse great. Let’s leave it at that. I wouldn’t know Marc Chan if it wasn’t for Frankie, what more can I tell you.

“We bought this filly from France about seven weeks ago and she won at Bath a couple of weeks ago. We didn’t really expect her