According to Frankie Dettori, he’s seen a lot of racetracks but not much else, so now he’d like to travel Frankie Dettori will take some well-deserved laps on his farewell tour, but he hasn’t ruled out pulling out if someone makes him a “stupid offer”. Dettori, 52, competed at Down Royal on Friday for the first and last time, having never raced in Northern Ireland in his incredible 35-year career.
It was difficult to find the right time to stop, especially after he had enjoyed one of his most successful racing summers, but watching Cristiano Ronaldo helped him make the painful decision. “I watched the World Cup last year and Portugal had a great player like Ronaldo on the bench,” said Dettori.
I didn’t want to end my career without good rides, so I thought it was the perfect time to stop and leave my legacy at the top.
Thirty-six years as a professional…where has the time gone? I’ll be 53 in December so I’m not getting any younger and I wanted to find the right balance to quit while I’m still at the top. and good enough to do good show.”
No doubt I’ll miss it, but I’ve got five weeks. I’m riding at Ascot and I don’t want to be sad, so I’m trying to enjoy these last bits of my career and say goodbye.” Melbourne Cup “high on the list” Given some of his records this year – a double at York’s Ebor Festival, a Gold Cup at Ascot, a 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Coronation Day – could he be tempted to try again in 2024? “At the moment October 21 [at Ascot] is my last day in Europe, then the America for Breeders Cup, then Melbourne and maybe Hong Kong – but never say never. “If someone makes me a stupid offer I’ll consider it but for the moment I will stick to your weapons.
“I’ve never won the Melbourne Cup so it’s high on my list and I’ll give it one last go this year, but all in all I’ve done everything and won everything I wanted to win and I’m quite happy I left it all on the track, what I could.” It was quite a coup for Down Royal and chief executive Emma Meehan to secure the services of the legendary Italian, even at such a late stage in his career. He had two rides and finished third in the Matthew Smith-trained 5/1 shot in the Ulster Cesarewitch Handicap. He thought his great friend Barney Curley, the legendary coach, gambler and philanthropist, would have been delighted when he finally returned home.
“I’ve never been to Down Royal and thought, ‘Why not?’ in Fermanagh) and showed me a bit of Northern Ireland – although he never asked me to come compete here. “I think he’s laughing and cuddling me because he was very proud of his country and I’m proud to have known him for so many years. “He agrees with what I’m doing. today “It was planned already in the spring. I drive on as many racetracks as possible because I like new challenges.
“I like to touch as many people as possible and say the last goodbyes at the end of my career.” Frankie Dettori pictured after winning the Ebor Handicap with Absurd in York in August So if it sure is, what’s next for Dettori? A jockey who transcends his sport and is full of personality that would make him reality TV star.
Could the jungle or Strictly ballroom be for her? “I will find my feet and go with my wife, because my five children have flown the nest, don’t you see.
“The house is very empty at the moment, the children have to find their own life, but I am very close, they often return to the nest “I’ve seen a lot of racetracks but not much of the rest of the world, so I’d like to travel. “I didn’t think too far ahead, but I know it’s going to be a tough time when I’m done.”
