Piz Badile Camp Snap Up Dettori for Derby Ride

Monday, May 16, 2022 | 3:14 pm

Updated: May 16, 2022 at 3:15 pm

By Brian Sheerin

File photo dated 2-04-2022 of Piz Badile ridden by Gavin Ryan after winning the The P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes. Frankie Dettori has been booked to ride Piz Badile in the Cazoo Derby at Epsom next month. The Ulysses colt has been kept fresh for the premier Classic since winning the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown in early April, with trainer Donnacha O'Brien ultimately deciding against a return to the Foxrock venue for the Derby Trial won by Stone Age. Issue date: Monday May 16, 2022.

Connections of leading G1 Cazoo Derby hope Piz Badile (Ire) (Ulysses) have been provided with a massive boost ahead of Epsom after legendary rider Frankie Dettori committed to ride the Donnacha O'Brien-trained colt in the Classic on June 4.

Dettori made his Derby breakthrough in 2007 aboard Authorized (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) for Peter Chapple-Hyam as well as partnering John Gosden's Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) to victory in the race back in 2015 and he will bid to win the iconic race for a third time aboard the impressive G3 Ballsax S. winner.

A general 10-1 chance for the Derby, Piz Badile has raced just three times, but that reappearance win in the Ballysax at Leopardstown received a major advertisement when the runner-up, Buckaroo (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), ran out an impressive winner of the Listed Tetrarch S. at the Curragh last month.

Confirming Dettori for the ride, Alan Cooper, racing manager to Piz Badile's owners the Niarchos Family, said: “Frankie is going to ride at Epsom. The horse is in good form. We've got just under three weeks to go, so hopefully he stays in good form between now and then.”

He added, “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.”