In the racing world, Frankie Dettori is quite the household name. Known for a very successful career and his signature flying dismount after they’ve won. He has become one of the most successful jockeys of our time. His career has taken him all over the world and spans over 36 years. In December 2022, Frankie announced he would hang up the boots for good at the end of the season. He has recently confirmed he will be heading down under to compete for the final time in the Lexus Melbourne Cup. We will look at where he will be heading in his last season and who he may be potentially riding in his last chance at The Cup.
A Long Lasting Career
Frankie was born in Milan, Italy on December 15th 1970. He was born into a racing family taking after his father who was also a 13 times Champion Italian Jockey. His riding career started in 1985 at thirteen years old at his local stables before venturing to the UK to work for trainer Luca Cumani. He would then return back to Italy where he would ride his first winner in 1986 in Turin.
Frankie took out his apprenticeship at sixteen years old, returning to Cumani’s stable in 1987. During that same year, he would go on to win his first as an apprentice aboard Lizzy Hare at Glorious Goodwood. This would be the start of an illustrious riding career.
Fast forward to present times, Dettori has ridden over 2400 winners with 287 being Group 1 winners. He has won some of the world’s best races including the Breeders Cup, Hong Kong Mile and 9 Ascot Gold Cups.
Aussie Swansong
An opportunity to ride in one more Melbourne Cup was one Dettori could not pass up. His retirement was originally set to be after the Breeders’ Cup meeting in Santa Anita in November. Instead, Frankie will return for the last time to Flemington to compete for The Cup. He will also be featuring in Kennedy Oaks Day and TAB Champions Stakes Day. Frankie is no stranger to the Melbourne Cup Carnival having ridden in it since the 1990’s. He has competed in 17 cups, first appearing on Drum Taps finishing 9th during the 1993 running. He has come close on two occasions placing in 1999 aboard Central Park and in 2015 aboard Max Dynamite. Unfortunately he did place in 2019 aboard Master Of Reality but was pushed back to fourth on protest.
There has been no confirmation as to who he may be riding, but there may be a few options up for grabs. Irish trainer Willie Mullins will be sending Vauban down under to contest the cup. Willie has previously travelled Max Dynamite and Wicklow Brave to compete in The Cup with Frankie aboard. While Ryan Moore may be riding Vauban, Dettori could still have a chance at securing the ride.
Another trainer he could ride for is Australian trainer Chris Waller. During the Spring Carnival last year, Frankie rode a few horses for Chris including Welwal in the Golden Eagle. Chris is known to call on international jockeys including Joao Moreira and Ryan Moore. He currently has four horses nominated for The Cup including Manzoice, Francesco Guardi, Soulcombe and Waterville. This gives Dettori plenty of chances to get that final shot.
Frankie Dettori has lived a successful life and being able to continue race riding for 36 years is an accomplishment in itself. We hope he finishes out his last season with a bang and continues safely until the end of his riding journey. We wish him luck for the Spring Carnival and hope to see his name in the pole position for the Melbourne Cup.