Frankie Dettori dismisses Godolphin retirement hoax

Social networking hoax sparks speculation over future of Godolphin rider

Italian jockey Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori leads African Story to win the Godolphin Mile horse race at the Dubai World Cup, the world's richest horse race with a prize money of 10 million US dollars, in the Gulf emirate on March 31, 2012. AFP PHOTO/KARIM SAHIB
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Frankie Dettori insists he has no imminent plans to retire after speculation about his position at Godolphin.

A hoax posting about Dettori's future on a social networking site last night had many talking about the 41-year-old's plans.

Godolphin's Simon Crisford also confirmed that Dettori will be sharing Godolphin's big-race rides this term with new recruits Mickael Barzalona and Silvestre de Sousa.

Barzalona will ride Kailani for one of Godolphin's trainers, Mahmood Al Zarooni, in the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Friday, leaving Dettori without a mount.

Dettori will also sit out Saturday's Derby as Godolphin do not have a runner, but he believes he has plenty still to give in the saddle.

He told the Telegraph: "I have no plans to retire. I am still young for a top jockey and I have many good years ahead of me. I will back myself to beat anybody.

"Let's get to Royal Ascot and see what happens."