Frankie Dettori is back in the USA.
The popular Italian jockey known for his “flying dismounts’’ begins the next phase of his riding career on Saturday (Oct. 28) at Santa Anita Park.
Inspiral and Frankie Dettori during morning workouts at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California on October 31, 2023 as horses prepare for the 2023 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Alex Evers/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders Cup
Last week at Ascot, Dettori’s farewell race in England came in typical fashion – a dramatic last-to-first run aboard King of Steel to win the Champion Stakes (G1). Earlier on the card, he won the Long Distance Cup (G2) aboard Trawlerman.
Now comes the American tour. Dettori has mounts in four races on Saturday and four more on Sunday at Santa Anita, the site of the Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 3-4.
Dettori, who has won 14 Breeders’ Cup races, will have his share of mounts in 14 BC races over two days, including reuniting with King of Steel for the $4 million BC Turf (G1) and getting the call aboard Zandon for the $6 million Classic.
Dettori’s Unexpected Return: Racing at Santa Anita and the Breeders’ Cup
The 52-year-old Dettori called last weekend’s success in London, “Hollywood stuff.” Now, Frankie’s in Hollywood. He was set to retire at the end of 2023 but reversed his decision while enjoying a lucrative farewell tour. Plans are to ride at Santa Anita the rest of the year, and perhaps beyond.
“How long I continue race-riding overseas and where my American journey takes me, no one can predict,” Dettori said following his retirement reversal announcement. “But I welcome the challenge in this new chapter.”
In addition to his Breeders’ Cup victories, Dettori has won the English Derby twice, the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas four times each, and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe six times.
In the Turf, King of Steel will face European rivals Auguste Rodin and Mostahdaf, along with U.S.-based challengers Up to the Mark and War Like Goddess. Dettori is a six-time winner in the Turf.
In the Classic, Zandon goes up against the likes of Belmont Stakes (G1) and Travers (G1) winner Arcangelo, and Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage. Dettori won the 2008 Classic aboard Raven’s Pass.
Dettori also planned to ride in the Melbourne Cup in Australia but recently received a 16-day ban for breaking whip rules on two of his mounts on Champions Day (Oct. 21). He went one over the limit of six when riding Trawlerman; he did the same when second on Kinross in the Champion Sprint Stakes.
The ban begins Nov. 7, the day of the Melbourne Cup. The ban does not affect his racing status in the U.S.
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.
