Lanfranco ‘Frankie’ Dettori has experienced his fair share of ups and downs during his 35-year riding career, but it would be fair to say that he has never been far from the headlines, for one reason or another. In December 2022, Dettori revealed his decision to retire at the end of the following season but, ten months later, changed his mind. Following scheduled visits to the United States, Australia and Hong Kong, for the Breeders’ Cup, Melbourne Cup Carnival and Hong Kong Mile, his intention is now to base himself, full-time, in Santa Anita, California, from the start of 2024, with a view to continuing his career Stateside.
In inimitable style, on what may, or may not, be his British racing swansong, at British Champions Day at Ascot on October 21, 2023, Dettori rode his sixth Group 1 winner of the season on British soil, King Of Steel, trained by Roger Varian, in the Champion Stakes. His retirement U-turn has been criticised in some quarters but, as Dettori told the ‘Daily Telegraph’, ‘I am simply not ready to retire completely. I’m still enjoying riding and want to carry on for a while on the international circuit.’
Indeed, granted his successes, at home and abroad, on his ‘farewell’ tour, who can blame him. Domestically, Dettori rode 28 winners from 121 rides, at a strike rate of 23%, and won £4.7 million in prize money, making 2023 his most successful season, financially, since 2019. At the highest level, his other five winners were Chaldean, trained by Andrew Balding, in the 2,000 Guineas, Emily Upjohn in the Coronation Cup, Soul Sister in the Oaks, Courage Mon Ami in the Gold Cup and Mostahdaf in the International Stakes; the last-named quartet were all trained by his old ally John Gosden who, since 2021, has held a joint licence with his son, Thady.