NOBODY expected effervescent jockey Frankie Dettori to slope off into retirement quietly, but announcing a complete U-turn on his decision to hang up his silks certainly caught the world by surprise.
“I’m simply not ready,” he told us, and who can blame him?
During his well-publicised farewell tour of 2023, he won the 2000 Guineas on Chaldean, the Oaks with Soul Sister, the Ascot Gold Cup on Courage Mon Ami and a winning double on Champions Day in October brought down the final curtain on his British racing career. Reaching his 50s has clearly not weathered any of the Italian’s natural brilliance in the saddle and if anything, the past 12 months marked something of a resurgence in the Italian-born jockey’s fortunes.
A crescendo of adoration followed him at every racecourse as he unveiled statues and other tributes, fans jostling for one last piece of their hero. It is the British public that the celebrated three-time champion jockey says he will miss most, now that the final chapter of an extraordinary career has taken him to the US.
“It took me 30 years to create this amazing fan base and it’s selfish but every time I ride, all I hear is my name,” he says. “That might annoy my colleagues a bit, but I’ll miss the charm of, ‘Go on, Frankie!’
“When I announced I was going to retire in December 2022, I expected things to slow down, but it went the other way. I just kept on winning – it was crazy and emotional. In the summer I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’ve only got two months to go and I’m not ready to stop.’
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 22, 2024-Ausgabe von Horse & Hound.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 22, 2024-Ausgabe von Horse & Hound.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
