DEL MAR, Calif. – Champion jockey Frankie Dettori announced his retirement from race-riding following the Breeders’ Cup and a few rides in South America. Dettori made his announcement Wednesday on X, formerly Twitter.
“Following the Breeders’ Cup on Saturday, I will be retiring from race riding in the United States and concluding my career with a few rides in South America, something I’ve always wanted to do,” Dettori posted.
An announcement is expected on Thursday on where and when he will be riding in South America.
“It has been an honour to compete at the highest level of this sport for over four decades. I’m deeply grateful to my family, the owners, trainers, stable staff, and of course the supporters who have made my career possible,” Dettori further wrote. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this incredible journey.”
ON SALE NOW: DRF Breeders' Cup Packages! Get everything you need to win and save big.
Dettori, 54, is named to ride in five Breeders’ Cup races. On Friday, he is named on Aspect Island (Juvenile Turf Sprint), and Imaginationthelady (Juvenile Fillies Turf). He was named on Civil Liberty in the Juvenile, but that horse is scratched.
On Saturday, Dettori is named on Khaadem (Turf Sprint), Wimbledon Hawkeye (Turf), and Argine (Mile).
Dettori was based in England for more than three decades and was the British flat champion jockey three times (1994,1995, and 2004). He won 287 Group 1 races in Europe. His most memorable day was when he rode all seven winners on British Festival of Racing Day at Royal Ascot on Sept. 28, 1996.
He spent the last two years riding all over the U.S. including meets in Kentucky and New York.
Despite all of his success, Dettori announced in March of this year that he was filing for bankruptcy as a result of a tax dispute with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HRMC), the United Kingdom’s official tax authority.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.