Emotional Frankie will make final leap in 2023

THE career of one of racing’s greatest-ever Flat jockeys will come to an end following one final season after Frankie Dettori announced that 2023 will be his last in the saddle.

Dettori had dropped hints that his days in the weighing room were coming to an end but he made the announcement official two days after his 52nd birthday.

The Italian-born rider will spend 10 weeks riding at Southern California track Santa Anita from Boxing Day before returning to Britain via the Dubai racing season for one final shot at the big British meetings including his beloved Royal Ascot.

His last day riding in Britain is likely to be on British Champions Day at Ascot in October, while his final day as a professional jockey will be played out back at Santa Anita in November for the Breeders’ Cup, another track and fixture that is close to his heart.

Dettori said: ‘It has been a very difficult decision because my heart wants to carry on riding but I have to use my brain even though I haven’t got much of it!

‘I have just turned 52. I want to stop at the top and be competitive enough to do myself, my owners and my horses justice.

‘You have to face reality. I am not as good as I was when I was 35. As you get older, you are not as supple or as strong. I want to finish with my best powers. I think I am still good enough to compete with the best at the moment. I feel like I am at the top at the moment but well past my sell-by date!’

Dettori said it had helped his decision that he looks to have a strong set of rides for his final campaign.

Chaldean, the Andrew Baldingtrained colt on whom he won the Dewhurst Stakes, is 8-1 third favourite for the 2,000 Guineas while unbeaten Commissioning, the John and Thady Gosden-trained winner of the Fillies’ Mile, is 6-1 second favourite for the 1,000 Guineas.

Dettori, who made the announcement on ITV Racing, admitted his final lap of the racing circuit will be emotional.

He added: ‘The weighing room is a capsule that it timeless — you never feel old. But the reality is I am old, I have to give up. It will be exciting but torture saying farewell to what has been 35 years of my life. But I have made the decision and am sticking to it.

‘I’m trying to look at it in a positive way and make it a celebration.’

Probably influencing Dettori’s decision was the fact it comes after what could best be described as a roller-coaster year which included a brief split from his boss and long-time friend John Gosden after the pair endured a torrid Royal Ascot.

The partnership for Dettori with the Gosden stable is crucial and he will be aware decisions would have to be made for the good of their elite stable as to who was their main rider. Better to leave on your own terms than an undignified exit after outstaying your welcome.

What is undoubtedly true is that Dettori is irreplaceable for British Flat racing.