Frankie Dettori insists he has no plans to retire from racing

Frankie Dettori denies he is set to retire

Frankie Dettori insists he has no plans to retire from racing despite failing to secure a ride in Saturday's Derby.

Dettori will ride at Haydock instead in a move that prompted a claim on Twitter he is quitting the sport.

The former Derby-winning rider lost his status as Goldolphin's only retained jockey this year.

"I've got at least five more years in me," he told the Racing Post. "I'm only 41 and would challenge any jockey to a one-on-one."

It is the first time in 20 years Dettori has been without a ride in the Derby - with the exception of 2000 when he was recovering after being involved in a plane crash.

The Goldolphin stable is not fielding a runner in this year's race and Dettori also lost out to Mickael Barzalona for the seat on Godolphin's only entry in Friday's Epsom Oaks, the unbeaten filly Kailani.

Barzalona and Silvestre de Sousa now rival Dettori for rides at Goldolphin.

Goldolphin racing manager Simon Crisford described the rumours as a "storm in a teacup".

"Frankie is still hungry," he said. "Nothing has changed - Frankie is still our senior rider but Sheikh Mohammed will decide who rides what, and he knows that.

"The situation has just been exacerbated because we haven't got a runner in the Derby and we've only got one in the Oaks.

"Frankie is experienced and Mickael is very young, but a tremendous talent - we are thinking years ahead.

"Mickael rode Kailani last time out and His Highness was keen for him to keep the ride. If Frankie had ridden her last time I'm sure he'd be on her.

"Sheikh Mohammed likes to try new things. Frankie has been with us from the beginning and knows how we work.

"He's a team player and there's still nobody better."

Dettori added: "I'm a soldier in a team. I do what I'm told. The boss has the power to decide who rides and I've been a good soldier for the past 18 years.

"Mickael got the ride in the Oaks on the word of the boss [Sheikh Mohammed] and Mahmood Al Zarooni.

"Nevertheless, I then got a call from Coolmore asking if I could ride in the Oaks. The boss said I could if I wanted to. As it happened, nothing came of it but it shows I'm in demand."

Dettori has produced 13 winners in his 92 rides this season.