Frankie Dettori has made the decision to retire from professional horse racing, marking what seems to be a permanent exit this time. The renowned jockey had previously announced plans to step away from the sport in 2023 but later reversed that decision, opting to continue his career in the United States following a farewell event at British Champions Day at Ascot.
Dettori relocated to the UK at the age of 14 to join Luca Cumani’s team in Newmarket. He claimed his first triumph in horse racing aboard Lizzy Hare, a horse trained by Cumani, at Goodwood in June 1987. His fame skyrocketed globally when he rode all seven winners at Ascot in September 1996, famously known as the ‘Magnificent Seven’ with odds of 25,095½-1.
Throughout his career, Dettori has been a prominent figure in the horse racing world, facing various challenges and triumphs. Notable events include surviving a plane crash in 2000, serving a six-month suspension for a positive cocaine test in 2012 (during which he participated in the TV show Celebrity Big Brother), appearing on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! in November 2023, and declaring bankruptcy in March of the following year.
Since moving his racing base to the US, Dettori has secured 129 victories, including 38 wins during a relatively quiet 2025 season. The 54-year-old jockey is scheduled for seven rides across two days at the upcoming Breeders’ Cup, an event where he has achieved success on 15 previous occasions.
His final ride on American soil will be aboard Argine, a horse trained in Japan, in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Following this event, Dettori revealed in a statement that he plans to retire from race riding in the US and conclude his illustrious career with a few rides in South America, fulfilling a longstanding aspiration.
Expressing gratitude for the unwavering support he has received throughout his remarkable journey, Dettori thanked his family, owners, trainers, stable staff, and loyal fans. He concluded his statement with a heartfelt farewell, saying, “Ciao, Frankie.”