Frankie Dettori talks diet, King George and Glorious Goodwood

It’s been a tough rehabilitation but I’m delighted to report I’m feeling good and getting stronger every day. I’m glad to say the physio is all done but I’m still training myself in the gym and I can’t wait for this weekend!

I got allotted 8st 7lb in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes which is my bare minimum so I need to keep my weight down. My diet is all boring stuff at the moment – white fish, vegetables and water. It’s grim!

I rode Enable yesterday morning and believe it or not she dumped me on the floor. I was like, “thanks very much!” Luckily, I fell standing up but she still dumped me. She is just full of herself right now and raring to go.

Enable’s entitled to be head of the King George market

She was the reason I came back from injury so early. She really is special. I pushed myself so I could ride her in Ireland and it was worth it.

The King George is a tough race but I’m really excited. She’s getting a big weight allowance so she’s entitled to be head of the market. But let’s take nothing away from the reigning champion Highland Reel and the Coral-Eclipse winner, Ulysses.

Highland Reel is obviously the biggest danger to our chances. He ran very well at Ascot before and we know he stays. He’s just got a great CV.

I suspect the ground will be on the right side of Good. The pedigree suggests the ground shouldn’t be any issue. I’d never tried her on soft ground until this morning. It was only a small breeze but she seemed to handle it. We shall find out on Saturday.

Lammtarra just stuck his neck out and proved he’s a great champion

My best King George memory was my first victory on Lammtarra in 1995. I was only a kid and the only super rides when I was in Italy were the Derby, Arc and King George.

Landing my maiden King George was just amazing. We really had to fight for it as well. We’d come into the straight, I hit the front, and then Pentire came up the side. It was a right battle but Lammtarra just stuck his neck out and showed what a great champion he was.

I ride Remarkable in the Gigaset International Handicap earlier on Saturday too. He’s OK. He likes plenty of give in the ground and he likes Ascot as well. He’ll find life a bit difficult but you know he always loves a good race at Ascot.

Big Orange wears his heart on his sleeve and tries like hell

As well as the King George, I’m all set for Glorious Goodwood. I usually stay down there so it’s quite an enjoyable week. It’s nice racing and unlike Royal Ascot I don’t have to travel up and down. My manager Peter lives 20 minutes away and if the weather is nice, he’s got a nice swimming pool, so I usually just chill out there.

I can’t wait to ride Big Orange. He’s everybody’s favourite. After all, he’s won two Goodwood Cups.

The key with him is the weather. He needs dry weather.  I really hope we don’t get those summer showers to spoil it. Apart from that, he is a horse who wears his heart on his sleeve and tries like hell.

It’s very hard to pick between Shutter Speed and So Mi Dar

I have to make a decision on who I will ride in the Nassau Stakes – Shutter Speed or So Mi Dar.

John Gosden and I will make a decision in the week but at this moment it’s very hard to pick.

I’m keeping my options open. Obviously So Mi Dar has had a long layoff, whereas Shutter Speed is up to scratch and you know how good she is. Decisions, decisions, as they say!

Frankie

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing