Frankie Dettori has made the decision to retire from professional horse racing, marking a definitive end to his illustrious career. Initially planning to step away from the sport in 2023, Dettori had a change of heart and continued competing, notably in the United States, following a farewell ceremony held at British Champions Day at Ascot.
Dettori, who relocated to Britain at the age of 14 to join trainer Luca Cumani in Newmarket, achieved his first career win aboard Lizzy Hare in 1987. His fame skyrocketed when he rode all seven winners at Ascot in September 1996, a feat known as the ‘Magnificent Seven.’
Throughout his career, Dettori faced various challenges, including surviving a plane crash in 2000 and serving a suspension for a drug-related incident in 2012. Despite these setbacks, he remained a prominent figure in the racing world, participating in television shows like Celebrity Big Brother and I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!
Since moving his base to the US, Dettori has amassed 129 victories, with 38 wins during a relatively quiet 2025 season. As he prepares for the Breeders’ Cup, where he has triumphed 15 times before, Dettori announced that his final race on American soil will be aboard Argine in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
In a recent statement, Dettori expressed his gratitude for the support he has received throughout his career, stating his intention to conclude his racing days with a few rides in South America. He thanked his family, trainers, stable staff, owners, and fans for their unwavering backing during his remarkable journey, signing off with a heartfelt “Ciao, Frankie.”