Dettori will retire after the 2023 race season

Frankie Dettori has announced that his phenomenal riding career will come to an end next year as he reveals his plans to rise to the top after one final season in 2023.

One of the most famous and recognized figures in sports history, Dettori is set to embark on a global farewell tour in Santa Anita . Park December 26 — and it is likely that Dettori will retire to the same destination in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup to be held there next fall.

In disclosing the news, Dettori made it clear he wanted the final chapter of his marathon riding saga to be a celebration in which the racing public would play an important part.

Dettori told ITV Racing: “Next year, 2023, will be my last professional year as a jockey. That’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while.

“I’m on Gift Day at Santa Anita and I’m planning to spend about 10 weeks in California. I’ll be heading back through Dubai and Saudi Arabia, then I guess I’ll start the season in Newmarket.

“It’s going to be my last Guineas, my last Derby, my last Royal Ascot, etc. Then I’ll probably end up in England on Championship Day or at Newmarket and then say goodbye one last time. as a professional racer in California at Breeders’ Cup. Everything is pre-written, but that’s my plan.”

He continued: “I’ve had a great career. You could go on for another year, another year, then another year, but I feel like this is the right time and I’ll be young enough to do it. do something else .

“I want to finish to the best of my ability. I think at the moment I’m still good enough to compete with the best.”

The three-time British champion jockey, who celebrated his 52nd birthday on December 15, has been the focus of headlines throughout his life, including winning all seven races. on a premium Ascot card in 1996 and then survived a deadly plane crash four years later.

Dettori has more than once stated that he will definitely drive until the end of 2023, but in recent weeks — and after discussion with his family — he has accepted that the continuation is beyond the point. that is not reasonable.

While adamant that his strength in the saddle hasn’t yet begun to wane, Dettori admits age was a factor behind his decision to come up with a retirement plan.

Longtime Godolphin first parted ways with Sheikh Mohammed’s team in the fall of 2012, shortly after he served a six-month drug ban. Since 2015, he has been the first driver for John Gosden, with whom he will again be the main driver in 2023, although the pair’s relationship has become severely strained this summer. .

Gosden – who is now coaching with his son Thady – gave Dettori his second Derby success when golden horn scored at Epsom en route to winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1). Dettori then scored his fifth and sixth Arc victories aboard the Gosden-trained ship. Allow outstanding mare who also made history on the pitch winning three runs of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1).

Those happy days are in stark contrast to the days Dettori and Gosden spent earlier this year at Royal Ascot, where the five-time champion coach publicly criticized Dettori’s loss to the superstar in residence. Stradivarius and of the Queen story. At the end of June, Gosden and Dettori briefly parted ways and entered a sabbatical period, which ended for Dettori to resume her role at Newmarket’s July festival.

Dettori keeps posting group 1 win for Gosdens on board inspire and Emily Upjohn . Both of those stable of stars will be among their equestrian highest performing mounts next year, when he can also look forward to rekindling his relationship with winner Dewhurst Stakes (G1) by Juddmonte Chaldean and Classical co-candidate operate who captured the Fillies’ Mile (G1) under Robert Havlin while Dettori was suspended.