The Topsy Turvy Arc

The past few days have not been kind to Europe's most famous and important race. Defending champ Danedream is out after the track she is based at in Germany is under quarantine due to swamp fever (otherwise known as EIA). Snow Fairy, 3rd in last year's race and a horse who was going to use this race as a prep for the Breeders' Cup is out for the year due to injury, but will be return next year. Nathanial who had a big chance spiked a fever and is now out. Today though, there was some good news and some very shocking news as well.

The beaten English Triple Crown contender Camelot will be entered into the race for Coolmore and Aiden O'Brien. However, Joseph O'Brien who is his trainers son and the only one to ride him in a race will not be on him. This is due to him not being able to make the 3yo weight allowance that Camelot will get. So who will ride him? That would be Italian Lanfranco Dettori.

Wait what, Frankie? Flying Frankie? Godolphin Frankie? Yes, that Frankie. The reason why he is able to ride is that with no Godolphin horse entered and Snow Fairy who he would have ridden out, he was open and the opportunity had to be taken. So does this make Frankie a Benedict Arnold? Not quite, he does have some experience riding Coolmore horses as he rode for them to a win in the St. Ledger in 2005. Also although he hasn't won the Arc since 2002, he's got 3 editions spend in the Winner's Circle.  This might be a thank you from Godolphin as for the second year in a row, Coolmore sent horses to Dubai to contest on World Cup night. They even took the UAE Derby with Daddy Long Legs.

Here is Frankie talking about riding Camelot on Sunday: