Frankie Dettori announces shock retirement at the end of 2023 after legendary career in the saddle

The end of a beautiful chapter begins.

Big thank you for all your kind messages.

One. Last. Push. pic.twitter.com/43T4gRIx7h

— Frankie Dettori (@FrankieDettori) December 17, 2022

Announcing his decision on ITV, he said: “It’s something that I’ve been thinking about for a while. This is going to be my finale next year.

“I’m riding Boxing Day in Santa Anita and planning to spend about 10 weeks in California and then I’ll make my way back, with Dubai and Saudi in between, to start the season in Newmarket.

“I’ll be riding right through and it’ll be my last Guineas, my last Derby, my last Royal Ascot and so on.

“Then I’ll have the final farewell at the Breeders’ Cup.”

Tributes have already started pouring in from fans and Dettori’s colleagues on social media.

The 20-time champion jumps jockey AP McCoy said: “Frankie Dettori is riding’s Lionel Messi. You can’t teach a kid to ride like Frankie.”

“The hardest thing is knowing when to stop. He is going out at the top.”

One fan wrote: “Oh Frankie, what a legend. We are all going to miss you so much.”

Another said: “Frankie is going to leave a huge void. He has done so much for the sport.”

While another posted: “Thank you so much for the memories, racing will not be the same without you.”

Dettori, who celebrated his 52nd birthday on Thursday, added: “My heart wants to carry on riding but I have to use my brain.

“I’ve just turned 52 and next year I’m going to be 53. I want to stop at the top.

“Ronaldo was playing one minute and on the bench the next. I don’t want to end up like that.

“I want to be competitive enough to do justice to myself, my owners and my horses next year. It has been difficult but I think it’s the right time.”

More to follow…