Legendary Jockey Frankie Dettori Reveals Plan To Retire In 2023

[Wandering Eyes]

One of the greatest jockeys of all time, Frankie Dettori has announced that next season will be his last and that he will call time on his glittering career in 2023.

Dettori will begin his global farewell tour at Santa Anita on December 26 and could well bring the curtain down at that same venue at the 2023 Breeders' Cup.

Dropping the bombshell on ITV Racing on Saturday morning, Dettori said, “Next year, 2023, will be my final professional year as a jockey. It's something I've been thinking about for a while.

“My heart wants to carry on riding but I have to use my brain. I want to stop at the top. It has been difficult but I think it's the right time.”

He added, “The plan is I am riding Boxing Day in Santa Anita and I'm planning to spend 10 weeks in California.

“I should make my way back via Dubai and Saudi and I guess start my (British) season in Newmarket.

“I will be riding right through, obviously it will be my last Guineas, my last Derby, my last Royal Ascot so on and so forth and then will probably finish (in Britain) at either Champions Day at Ascot or at Newmarket. The final farewell as a professional rider will be in California at the Breeders' Cup.”

Dettori insists the decision to call it a day is not one he has taken lightly.

“It is a very difficult decision because my heart wants to carry on riding, but I have had to use my brain and I've just turned 52 and next year I'll be 53,” he continued.

“I want to be competitive enough to do my owners and my horses justice next year and I think I'm still in that bracket of being good. It was difficult, but it is the right time.

“I spoke to my dad at length. My dad stopped at 51, he is very supporting and I also had to speak to my wife and children who are delighted because they have barely seen me for 35 years!

“I've been thinking about it for a few weeks and I've decided with the firepower I have next year and the horses I have to ride I can finish my career on a big note. Fingers crossed I stay in one piece and we'll give it a good go next year.

“Look at Ronaldo, one day he was playing and he's on the bench the next. I don't want to end up like that and end up where I'm struggling to get rides in the big races. At the moment I still have good horses to ride and I want to finish like that.”

The 52-year-old has been crowned champion jockey three times in Britain and has hogged the headlines for the majority of his career, including when winning all seven races at a high-profile Ascot meeting in 1996. 

More to follow

The post Legendary Jockey Frankie Dettori Reveals Plan To Retire In 2023 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article