Frankie Dettori cancels retirement plan and will head to America

Frankie Dettori announced on Thursday morning that he has scrapped plans to retire at the end of this year and is set to continue riding full-time in America from next year.

In a video Dettori posted onto X (formerly Twitter), the 52-year-old advised that his last day riding in Britain will be on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday, October 21, but will head to America in 2024.

However, a successful ‘farewell tour’ has prompted the Italian jockey to carry on, primarily in the United States, but also with mounts in the Middle East.

Dettori, who was in London on Thursday promoting Ascot's premier fixture, said: "Hi everyone, Frankie here. I'm in London promoting British Champions Day which will be my last day riding in England, but I have a scoop for you guys, I have decided to prolong my career and I'm going to go to the United States from next year. Keep on following me! Thank you."

Reflecting on the decision, Dettori told the Nick Luck Daily podcast: “I announced my retirement 10 months ago, I thought that would give me plenty of time to say my farewells and then I headed to California.

“I had an amazing four months there, finished second in the standings, it was amazing.

“I then came back to Europe, won the Guineas, had Royal Ascot wins and other big wins and that tickled my emotions.

“Now, as we come to October 21, what will be my final day in England, I had second thoughts, discussed with my wife and my parents that I want to carry on a little bit longer in California, where I had such a lovely winter.”

He added: “The dynamic of my year has changed so much, if I wasn’t riding any winners or in the big races it would have made my decision much easier but at this point I’m still feeling good and I’ve got to get it out of my system.

“It’s very painful to just let go but I am retiring from Europe but carrying on for a little bit longer in the USA.

“Some of my closest friends came up with the idea in the summer, I applied for a Visa and that has been accepted and me and my wife Catherine are going to move full time to Los Angeles.

“I’ll do the same thing as last year but this time I’m going to stay there for good. When I say that, it could be three months or three years but I want to give it a good go on the USA circuit and in Dubai, Saudi when they come along – the dream is to find a horse for the Kentucky Derby.

“A lot of things changed this year and that’s why I came to my decision.

“I’ve probably had as good a year as I’ve ever had, I still feel good physically and I’ve just got to get it out of me. Going to California suits me, we don’t have to travel, the weather is good and my weight is good.

“I’d find it very difficult to just stop and there’s more inside of me I want to give.

“My focus is on America, I don’t want to go half-hearted, there will be no Guineas for me next year, I want a horse for the Kentucky Derby, I’m giving America my full commitment. Now my kids can look after themselves, I want to travel and that excites me, unchartered waters.”

Frankie Dettori is as low as 1-10 with Coral to ride at Royal Ascot next year having announced he is to continue his career in America.

Following a 10-month farewell tour, Dettori has reversed his plan to hang up his saddle at the end of 2023 and extend his riding days.

Having rented out his house in Newmarket, Dettori and his wife, Catherine, will move to California, where he spent last winter riding with great success.

Given the Italian has a good relationship with American trainer Wesley Ward, who is usually well represented at Royal Ascot, the bookmakers think it is almost a foregone conclusion that he will be back riding in the UK in June.

Among a raft of other specials offered on bet365 are 16-1 for Dettori to ride the Kentucky Derby winner and 6-4 to ride a winner at next year’s Royal Ascot.

“Now Frankie has confirmed his career will be extended into 2024, there must be every chance we see him back at his favourite track next summer, and with allies such as Wesley Ward in his corner, it’s not big odds that he extends his winning tally at the Royal meeting,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

Paddy Power make it only a 6-4 shot that Dettori rides at Royal Ascot 2025, while he is 2-1 to ride a British Group One winner next year with the same firm.

William Hill have taken a similar view in making him a 2-1 chance to ride a Royal Ascot winner next year and 16-1 for Kentucky Derby success.

The firm’s Lee Phelps said: “Frankie Dettori has taken a U-turn in his road to retirement after riding at the top of his game all season.

“His luck is likely to continue in America and the Middle East this winter, so we give him odds of 2-1 to be back at Royal Ascot next year riding a winner, despite his claims of retiring from UK racing.

“While he hasn’t ridden a winner of the Kentucky Derby yet, it’s not out of the question that he could do it in 2024, and we have him at 16-1 to ride next year’s winner.”