Freeman: Dettori’s Finale Is Going So Well – Is It Really The End?

There isn't much Frankie Dettori hasn't accomplished and his successes span far and wide, riding in Canada, France, Dubai, and, having found the majority of success in England, tracks like Newmarket and Ascot.

Since opening day at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky, and during the classic meet at Santa Anita in  Southern California, American fans of Dettori got to see him work his magic live and in person, including a couple of his famed flying dismounts. The last time Dettori was in Kentucky was the Breeders' Cup in early November. Fans could never have imagined he'd be back, but he was.

For loyal Dettori followers, there are so many highlights. From the aptly-named “Wonder Mare” Enable and her many thrilling victories, to more than 40 victories at Royal Ascot, where he has claimed the jockey title seven times, to Golden Horn in the Epsom Derby in 2015, his multiple Breeders' Cup wins, to Dubai Millennium giving Dettori his first Dubai World Cup win in 2000, and his most recent World Cup win on the fantastic Country Grammar in 2021. There can be no question that, at 52, Frankie Dettori has truly done it all.

Dettori has absolutely nothing left to prove and is still finding the high levels of success he has enjoyed throughout his 35-year career, so he announced in December that this year would be his last year.

It was important to Dettori that he leave England, where he had found many of his greatest successes and give his global fan base a chance to say goodbye.

So with that, Dettori decided to retain one of the most stellar agents in the industry — Ron Anderson (who also represents superstar jockeys John Velazquez and Joel Rosario) — and head back to California, where he started riding and won his first race for trainer Richard Cross.

For the 2022-23 Classic Meet at Santa Anita, U.S. fans traveled from all across the country to see an icon ride, to see true mastery when it comes to racehorses, and maybe even to see an old friend return home to where he started his career at a mere 16 years old. On opening day, that's exactly what he delivered.

His time here in the U.S. has certainly proved to be successful and shown he still has a strong enthusiasm and skill for the sport. But how did he feel about the American leg of his farewell tour?

I caught up with Mr. Dettori on April 16 in front of the jockeys' quarters at the storied and prestigious Keeneland Race Course prior to his final spring ride in the States, aboard Fadethenoise in the Palisades Stakes.

Though Dettori was doing well, he was “a bit sad” that he was leaving on Monday morning. 

With much of his success, coming in England, I was curious to get his thoughts on how it compared to racing here in the U.S. and which he liked better.

He told me, as one could expect, that the two styles of racing are “very different.” He explained that while racing in England is more finesse and endurance-based, racing here in America is very “speed orientated,” which is similar to Canada.

While he's enjoyed wins on Irish and British-born horses like Enable, Lord North, Dubai Millennium, Moon Ballad, and others, he believes “quality of horses is probably generally better in America.” 

Dettori won the 2021 Dubai World Cup aboard American Country Grammar, and collected many Breeders' Cup victories with horses born stateside, including Hootenanny, Raven's Pass, Wilko, and Fantastic Light.

When it comes to a geographic preference, for a decorated legend in the sport, it's like asking an ice cream lover to choose between chocolate and strawberry — it's impossible to choose. 

Dettori wouldn't have it any other way. 

“They are two very different types of racing and they've got their challenges in America and England,” he said.

I asked Dettori the burning question that has been on the mind of every single horse racing enthusiast globally – though this is his “retirement tour,” the success he's had so far in 2022-23 would seem to give him a lot of reasons to stick around. Is he really going to hang it up?

“I'll be 53 in December and I like to finish at the top,” he said.

He's got two dates that his mind and heart are set on calling his last.

In England, it'll be Oct. 21 at The Showcase at Cheltenham, a two-day festival of racing showcasing the best jockeys and the best horses. In the United States, he told me his last performances will be during the Breeders' Cup, where his career started. 

Dettori has five children, three of whom – Leo, Ella, and Rocco – ride, though not yet at the scale of their father. 

It's possible the Dettori farewell tour could reach new countries, too. 

“There is a possibility I might ride in Japan or Hong Kong, but we'll see,” said Dettori.

With a special race coming up on the first Saturday in May, I had a chance to ask Dettori about that gap in his resume. Dettori had been on Derby hopeful Newgate, who is now off the trail with a hock injury. 

Though he's been offered other mounts for the Kentucky Derby, he told me that the alternate choices are “potentially not good enough,” and when you've built up the resume that Frankie Dettori has, you've more than earned the right to pick and choose.

Unless something changes, Dettori is “sitting quiet” with regards to the Derby but is looking forward to “a good horse in the 2,000 Guineas.” 

Dettori has previously piloted  Andrew Balding-trained Guineas hopeful Chaldean.

I couldn't let Frankie go without asking him about his signature “flying dismount” which he says is inspired by Angel Cordero Jr.

How does he still manage to lift himself off a horse like that and fly through mid-air, if even only for a split second?

He told me that his mother worked in the circus, so he credits having her genes as part of the reason he has been able to stay youthful in performing his signature, jaw-dropping winning dismount.

“At the moment, the legs are still holding, so it's a bit of fun,” he said with a smile.

Since he was young, 27-year-old Jordan Freeman thoroughly enjoyed attending the races at his home track, Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. After graduating Humber College in 2017 for broadcasting and journalism, he took his passion one step further. He worked as a hotwalker for various trainers including William Armata, Kevin Attard and Brad Cox, handling some extremely special horses like Monomoy Girl, Knicks Go, Essential Quality, and more. He is currently working for Phil and Matt Sims learning to groom and hot walking in the meantime. His pastimes away from the races include guitar, piano, photography, and fine dining.  You can read more of his work at his blog, Racing Across The USA.