Frankie Dettori has officially announced his retirement from horse racing, marking what seems to be his final departure from the sport. The renowned jockey had previously intended to retire in 2023 but had a change of heart, opting to continue his career in the United States after a special send-off at British Champions Day at Ascot.
Dettori, who relocated to the UK at the age of 14 to work with fellow countryman Luca Cumani in Newmarket, secured his first career win aboard Lizzy Hare, trained by Cumani, at Goodwood in June 1987. He gained global fame for achieving the rare feat of riding all seven winners at Ascot in September 1996, known as the ‘Magnificent Seven’ with odds of 25,095½-1.
Throughout his illustrious career, the three-time champion jockey has made headlines for various reasons, including surviving a plane crash in 2000, serving a six-month ban for a positive cocaine test in 2012 (during which he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother), participating in I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! in November 2023, and filing for bankruptcy in March of the following year.
Having relocated to the US, Dettori has notched up 129 victories, including 38 wins during a somewhat quieter 2025 season. At the upcoming Breeders’ Cup, where he has previously triumphed 15 times, the 54-year-old will have seven rides, with his final race on American soil being aboard Argine, a horse trained in Japan.
In a recent statement, Dettori disclosed his decision to retire after the Breeders’ Cup, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to compete at the highest levels of the sport over four decades. He thanked his family, owners, trainers, stable staff, and fans for their unwavering support throughout his remarkable journey.
In closing, Dettori bid farewell in his statement, saying, “Ciao, Frankie.”