FRANKIE Dettori will always be grateful to the 20-year association he enjoyed with Ray Cochrane after the classic-winning rider brought the curtain down on his role as agent to the Italian.

Cochrane – a native of Co. Down who won the Derby in 1988 aboard Kahyasi – retired from the saddle in 2000 due to back problems, five months after being involved in a light aircraft crash that claimed the life of pilot Patrick Mackey and led to Cochrane receiving the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery for pulling Dettori from the wreckage.

Cochrane then switched to become Dettori’s agent, but announced at the weekend he would be retiring from the role to concentrate on his own hobbies which include a big interest in cycling.

Dettori told Racing TV’s Luck on Sunday programme: “I was at Luca’s (Cumani) when Ray was first jockey, I was an apprentice and he was a great teacher and always tried to give me opportunities. He was a great man to be around and very professional.

“He battled with his weight most of his career and then obviously never mind being a friend, he saved my life. He was able to drag me off the plane and away to safety, then the plane exploded. Not only has he been a great friend, I owe my life to him.

“I asked him to become my agent and we had amazing success. I really loved to work for him. I think in 20 years, we probably had just one or two arguments, so that’s pretty good – a lot less than I have with my wife!

“We had a chat and he thought now was the time he wanted to spend some time for himself and do the things that he wanted to do. I accepted his decision, we had no fall-outs and are still good friends and I wish him all the best.

“I will miss him a lot, of course. He has been part of my life so for long. It was hard, but I have to accept his decision.”

Dettori rides mainly for John Gosden and confirmed he intends to look after his own bookings for the rest of his time in the saddle rather than engage another agent.