Frankie Dettori to Attend Royal Ascot as a Racegoer, but Hints at Possible Future Return to Riding
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Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori has revealed that he will be attending Royal Ascot this week as a racegoer, but has not ruled out a potential return to riding in the future. The Italian jockey, who has enjoyed a glittering career in Britain and the US, announced that he was filing for bankruptcy during Cheltenham Festival week in March.
According to a report from Racing Post, Dettori revealed that he was offered some rides at Royal Ascot this week but felt it was not the right time to participate. However, he did not rule out a riding appearance at the royal meeting in the future.
“I won’t lie to you, I do have the little devil on my shoulder that says to me ‘one more time’ but I just didn’t think that this year or last year would have been appropriate,” Dettori told Racing Post. “But I will be coming over to Ascot, with a little bit of anxiety feeling that I could have ridden.”
Dettori’s pull at Ascot has been undeniable ever since he famously rode all seven winners on the Queen Elizabeth II card at the Berkshire course in 1996. He announced his intention to retire at the end of 2023 a year earlier, but after enjoying a memorable season he performed a U-turn, instead moving to the US to continue his career.
The Racing Post reports that Dettori will be attending Royal Ascot this week, where he will see some old friends and enjoy the racing. He added: “I will be there this year. There is a bit of a period from now until Saratoga, I will fly over this weekend, it is my daughter’s birthday and I will try and see as many kids as I can in my tribe of five, and show my face at Royal Ascot and see some old friends before I come back to Saratoga and start again. I use this opportunity to enjoy the racing and then see the family.”
Dettori also revealed that he misses riding, saying: “I did get some offers but I’m not going to lie, I do miss it. I had over 80 winners, it has been a huge part of my life. It is quite hard but after a few champagnes, I get over it. I really do miss it though.”
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