FRANKIE Dettori has been engaged to ride Shea Shea (headline photo) in the Gr 1 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes over 1000m at York Racecourse on Saturday, 23 August.

Dettori, who has won the race three times, agreed to ride the former South African star after a meeting with Mike de Kock on Monday. He will be working the six-year-old son of National Emblem in work at Newmarket on Thursday.

Mike said on Tuesday: “Christophe Soumillon was due to take the ride as usual, but he picked up a suspension in France and failed on appeal. He won’t be available on the day. We’re fortunate to have Frankie available to stand in.”

Shea Shea is stabled at Mary Slack’s Abington Place at Newmarket and his preparation is well on target. Mike commented: “He’s doing well, his coat looks good and he should be at his best for the race. It’s an easier five-furlong than the one at Ascot where he was beaten late by Sole Power, so we’re hoping it will suit him perfectly.”

Shea Shea (120) and Aiden O’Brien’s Declaration Of Power (121) are the highest rated among the nominations and Sole Power (117) also appears on the list of entries.  Mike said: “It looks like the usual suspects and if all goes well Shea Shea will be in with a big chance.”

View the Nunthorpe  Stakes entries below:

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/racecards/23-08-2013/york/racecard/569229/coolmore-nunthorpe-stakes-british-champions-series-group-1

 Shea Shea on the lawn at the Abington Place residence with his groom.

A fit-looking Shea Shea gets a leg-stretch before morning exercise.