Frankie Dettori handed six month ban for testing positive for prohibited substance

Frankie Dettori has been suspended from riding for six months after testing positive for a prohibited substance, his legal representative Christopher Stewart-Moore said on Wednesday morning.

With the BHA set to reciprocate France Galop's suspension, he will back in time to feature in the Derby and the Oaks at Epsom - and at Royal Ascot in June. Italian-born Dettori, who will be 42 on December 15, had four rides at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe trials meeting on September 16, after which the sample was returned. The case was then put before the medical commission of France Galop in Paris on November 20. It was announced a day later that he was temporarily suspended from competing in France on medical grounds. Dettori's hearing concluded at France Galop's headquarters in Paris on Tuesday. Stewart-Moore said his client had received "a sympathetic hearing". Dettori, who was cautioned by police for possession of cocaine in 1993, has vowed to "rebuild his reputation" once he has served his suspension. Stewart-Moore said: "He is enormously grateful for the opportunities that he has been given by owners and trainers over the years, and for the support of his many fans. "Racing has been good to Frankie and he knows that his privileged position brings with it responsibility. "For this reason he is determined to rebuild his reputation when he returns to the saddle. "Frankie could make excuses. He has, after all, regularly been tested for prohibited substances throughout his career. "He is clear, however, that the responsibility for his current situation lies squarely with him. "From the start of France Galop's inquiry he has acknowledged to them he has made a mistake and that the fault was his. "Finally, he has asked me to thank everyone for the many messages of support he and his family have received."