( CNN ) -- Iconic jockey Frankie Dettori was cleared to return to racing by the governing body of the sport in France Thursday after serving a six-month ban for cocaine use . The 42-year-old Italian tested positive for the drug at a meeting at Longchamp in Paris last September and he was subsequently suspended by France Galop . The ban was also reciprocated by the British Horse Racing Authority ( BHA ) . Dettori was due to make his comeback last week but was thwarted in his efforts after a test carried out by France Galop produced , according to the BHA , an `` irregularity '' . Dettori met with France Galop 's medical committee Tuesday to discuss a `` private matter '' , the resolution of which means the rider can now return to the saddle . The decision to return his license means that Dettori is eligible to compete in Britain 's most famous horse race , the Epsom Derby Saturday . But his likely ride in the Classic , top trainer Aiden O'Brien 's colt Magician , who won the Irish 2,000 Guineas , is a non-runner . That will leave Dettori 's only chance to be as a late substitute for another jockey , but he is set to ride in two races at the Epsom meeting Friday . His first Classic ride is set to be in the French Derby at Chantilly Sunday where he has been slated to ride Andrew Oliver 's First Cornerstone . The world of racing was stunned last year when news of Dettori 's misdemeanor became public and he vowed to `` rebuild his reputation '' in accepting his punishment . He has acquired celebrity status in Britain where he is based -- becoming a household name after riding seven straight winners at the famous English racecourse Ascot in 1996 . Dettori has secured more than 500 Group-level victories in his career -- the majority for the Godolphin stable -- winning 14 British Classics with three wins in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe , Europe 's most prestigious race . But he will ride as a freelance in the 2013 season after announcing the end of his full-time role with Sheikh Mohammed 's Goldolphin operation shortly before he was banned .
Jockey Frankie Dettori cleared to return to competitive action . The jockey was suspended for two years after testing positive in a doping test last year and has been banned from racing since the end of 2013. Dettori gave a positive test at Longchamp last September . Will return to action at Epsom Derby meeting Friday .