Jockey Frankie Dettori has been banned from racing for six months by French horse racing stewards following a positive drug test.
The Britain-based rider tested positive for an unidentified banned substance Sept. 16 at a race meet Longchamp. The ban, backdated to his medical hearing last month, is likely to be extended worldwide until May 19 next year.
The medical committee of the French horse racing association temporarily suspended the Italian on ''medical grounds'' last month and transferred the case to France Galop — the governing body.
Dettori's case was heard Tuesday at France Galop's Paris headquarters. The banned substance was not identified because of French medical confidentiality laws.
The 41-year-old Dettori is best known for riding seven winners on one day at Ascot in 1996.
