Frankie Dettori, the world’s most famous jockey was in London today to celebrate his retirement from British racing at a Flying Frankie pop-up. Dettori will race for the last time on British soil at QIPCO British Champions Day on Saturday, 21st October at Ascot Racecourse. The legendary jockey also announced his plans to continue riding in America and on the international circuit for a period.
Dettori attended the Flying Frankie pop-up along London’s South Bank to greet the public and encourage fans to try his iconic Flying Dismount, his signature celebration that has made crowds roar for over 30 years.
The Flying Frankie pop-up, staged by Great British Racing, also gave the public a chance to celebrate Dettori’s illustrious career and say thank you to horseracing’s stellar talent.
Dettori, 52, has given sports fans across the world memories that will last a lifetime and has been racing’s most famous personality for more than three decades. A dazzling talent, he burst onto the British racing scene in 1985 as a 15-year-old, going on to be crowned Champion Jockey three times and has won almost every major prize in the global horseracing calendar including each of the five British Classics multiple times. In 2016 he reached 3,000 winners aboard Predilection at Newmarket’s July racecourse and has since gone on to win a further 365* British races, putting him firmly in the top five of the allcomers list of British based flat jockeys. One of his most celebrated achievements was riding all seven winners of British Festival of Racing Day at Ascot Racecourse on 28th September 1996.
At today’s event Dettori confirmed plans to temporarily relocate to America and continue riding on the international circuit. The news reinforced his British retirement. In addition, Dettori will be continuing to work his current sponsors Howden and World Pool, and with the Sports Boulevard Foundation in Saudi Arabia, to help develop their equestrian offer and increase participation in horse riding.
Dettori, said: “I am simply not ready to retire completely. I’m still enjoy riding and want to carry on for a while on the international circuit.
“I have had the most amazing career (based in the UK), and head to British Champions Day (October 21st) with some brilliant rides. This will mark my final day riding in Britain, after which I will head to America for the Breeders’ Cup and then Melbourne for the Carnival.
“The current plan is to return to ride at Santa Anita in the States at the end of the year. How long I continue race riding overseas and where my American journey takes me, no one can predict but I welcome the challenge in this new chapter.”
The Italian born jockey has experienced the most remarkable farewell season to end his inspiring career in British racing. Most recently, Dettori achieved a phenomenal 500 winners at Newmarket Racecourse, his home track, winning the Grade 1 Sun Chariot Stakes aboard Inspiral for John and Thady Gosden. See career stats here.
Rod Street, Chief Executive of Great British Racing and QIPCO British Champions Series said, “Frankie has been gift to British racing. He has transcended our sport in a way that few people have and has performed at an elite level for over 30 years. To be at the top of your game as a sportsperson, spanning four decades, is a remarkable feat and few athletes have that longevity.
“Frankie has always brought stardust to the track and his ability to help racing reach new audiences is immeasurable. We are incredibly grateful to him for everything he has done for our sport over the years.”
The Flying Frankie pop-up is located on The Queen’s Walk, South Bank and will run until 7pm today (12th October). The pop-up will also be at QIPCO British Champions Day on 21st October, that culminates the Flat racing season and Dettori’s extraordinary career.
Dettori has demonstrated an unparalleled level of longevity at the pinnacle of his sport and sport and racing fans in London today had the chance to celebrate his unrivalled talents and thanked him for the abundance of memories.
