Dettori handed Falbrav mount

Frankie Dettori will replace Darryll Holland on Falbrav in the Hong Kong Cup on December 14.

The five-year-old has been ridden by Holland on his last six starts, which included wins in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes, Juddmonte International and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Falbrav finished a desperately close third in the Breeders’ Cup Turf last time under Holland but Dettori will now be on board for the Hong Kong feature.

The Italian rider will be reunited with Falbrav for the first time since the pair won the Japan Cup last year.

Trainer Luca Cumani confirmed: “Frankie Dettori will ride.

“The horse is well, he worked well this morning and we are pleased with the condition of the horse and his enthusiasm for racing. He’s in good form.”

Falbrav, who is owned in partnership by Luciano Salice and Teruya Yoshida, is due to fly out to Hong Kong a week today for what is expected to be his final start.

Dettori is delighted to be renewing his association with the son of Fairy King, who won four Group One races last season.

“He is a true champion and I’m proud to ride him again,” Dettori told www.thoroughbredtimes.com.

“Last year he gave me an incredible win in the Japan Cup. For an Italian jockey it is a very special feeling to ride an Italian horse in a big race as the Hong Kong Cup.”