Frankie Dettori to ride Piz Badile in the Epsom Derby

At the start of the season, everyone in racing was hoping to see Frankie Dettori don The Queen's silks and ride Reach For The Moon in the Epsom Derby. The Queen is scheduled to appear at Epsom on the first Saturday in June, where organisers are planning to celebrate her Majesty's platinum jubilee.

Sadly, just before the Guineas meeting at the end of April, John Gosden revealed that Reach For The Moon had met with a set-back and The Queen would not be having a runner in what would be the 234th running of this most famous of races.

Reach For The Moon was the Gosden's only genuine Derby contender at the beginning of the season. His ommision left Frankie Dettori free to pick up a spare ride at Epsom and the enigmatic Italian wasn't sure of offers.

In the end, it was the Niarchos Family who secured the services of Dettori, confirming Frankie in the saddle of their contender, Piz Badile earlier this week.

"Frankie is going to ride at Epsom." Alan Cooper, racing manager to Niarchos Family, confirmed.

"The horse is in good form. We've got another just under three weeks to go, so hopefully he stays in good form between now and then."

"I think Donnacha is very happy with his horse and the decision was made not to go to the Derrinstown (Derby Trial), which would have been the horse's third trip to Leopardstown."

"I'm in regular contact with Donnacha and he's delighted with his horse. They all need luck in running and we'll go from there."

Punters often follow Frankie during major meetings like the Epsom Derby and Royal Ascot, and money has already started coming in for Piz Badile. Donnacha O'Brien's raider was a 10/1 shot over the weekend, but since news of Dettori's booking broke, QuinnBet now list the Leopardstown Trial winner as the 7/1 third favourite, behind Desert Crown and Stone Age.

The full betting for the 2022 Epsom Derby can be found here on our website...