International star Jockey Frankie Dettori says he’s retiring – from riding in the United States, that is.
Dettori posted on Wednesday on social media that this weekend at the Breeders’ Cup will bring his short stay in the U.S. to an end, and he’s moving to South America to keep riding.
Dettori, 54, based in England for 35 years and known for his flying dismount after winning races, announced his retirement in late 2022, but left Europe to ride in the U.S.
“Following the Breeders' Cup on Saturday, I will be retiring from race riding in the United States and concluding my career with a few rides in South America, something I've always wanted to do,’’ Dettori said in his statement.
“It has been an honor to compete at the highest level of this sport for over four decades. I'm deeply grateful to my family, the owners, trainers, stable staff, and of course, the supporters who have made my career possible.”
Dettori is named on five mounts at the Breeders’ Cup: Aspect Island (Juvenile Turf Sprint), Imaginationthelady (Juvenile Fillies Turf), Khaadem (Turf Sprint), Wimbledon Hawkeye (Turf), and Argine (Mile).
Dettori has 15 wins in the Breeders’ Cup.
The $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), a race that usually decides the 2-year-old male champion and identifies the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby (G1), has just seven starters – the smallest in its 42-year-old history.
On Tuesday, trainer Doug O’Neill withdrew Civil Liberty (30-1) from the field due to swelling in an upper tendon.
The 1 1/16-mile Juvenile had eight starters three times. In 1997, Favorite Trick won at Hollywood Park, in 2004, when Wilko won at Lone Star Park, and in 2019, when Storm the Court won at Santa Anita.
Friday’s field with odds in parentheses: Intrepido (8-1), Blackout Time (5-1); Mr. A. P. (30-1); Comport (30-1); Litmus Test (15-1); Brant (5-2); and Ted Noffey (4-5).
Look who’s back at Del Mar. Last year, Japan’s star colt finished third behind Sierra Leone and Fierceness in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
Forever Young, with nine victories and three thirds in 12 career starts, worked 4 furlongs in 51.00 seconds on Wednesday.
Trainer Yoshito Yahagi, as usual, is optimistic, especially after the workout with regular ride Ryusei Saki aboard.
“I thought his work might be too light by watching his breeze. His rider, Ryusei, said it was a good piece of work. Everything is going well so far, and we need to keep his condition until the race,’’ Yahagi said. “We are here to win the Classic, and I will leave it with my jockey.”
Ryusei is looking forward to another chance to take on Sierra Leone and Fierceness.
“This is a redemption against last year’s winner and runner-up,’’ Ryusei said. “It is probably the last chance to beat both of them in a race, so I would like to get everything out of him and become the champion in the world.”
He’s listed at 15 odds for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) in the final race of his up-and-down and hopefully up again career.
As a 2-year-old, Chancer McPatrick won the Hopeful Stakes (G1) and Champagne Stakes (G1). He entered the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) as a top contender but finished sixth as the 2-1 second betting choice. He’s just 1-for-5 this year – he won the listed Curlin Stakes in July and ran a credible fourth in the H. Allen Jerkens Stakes (G1) on Aug. 23.
Jose Ortiz has the call for the first time, and trainer Chad Brown is hopeful his colt goes out with an intense finale.
“It’s his final race and he’s going off to Spendthrift (Farm) after this, but I will say he’s blooming right now,” Brown said. “He’s been putting on weight, he’s shining, and he’s been training as well as he’s trained all year. With a horse like that, my approach is that he’s got these 2-year-old numbers that were so good and were definitely the top juvenile on the East Coast, and if he runs through those numbers, he’s capable of having a good race.”
The Dirt Mile field is among the most competitive of the Breeders’ Cup races. Among the top contenders are Nysos (8-5), Goal Oriented (6-1), and Citizen Bull (10-1) for trainer Bob Baffert; defending champ Full Serrano (7-2); 2023 BC Classic winner White Abarrio (8-1); and 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (6-1).
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
