Legendary jockey admits to making a mistake during public vote
Frankie Dettori, the renowned jockey, has issued an apology to the nation after admitting his error in an uncomfortable interview during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year event. The 53-year-old failed to secure a spot in the top three of the public vote, with England women's goalkeeper Mary Earps emerging as the winner.
A Shock Retirement U-Turn
Dettori, who announced his retirement plans live on ITV almost a year ago, surprised everyone with a change of heart. Despite his initial intentions, the jockey decided to continue his career after an impressive year in the saddle, which included victories in the 2000 Guineas, Oaks, and Ascot Gold Cup. Racetracks even dedicated murals to Dettori and unveiled a statue in his honor at Ascot racecourse.
Next Stop: Royal Ascot?
Dettori's unexpected U-turn raises the possibility of him racing at next year's Royal Ascot, provided he can make it back from his new home in the United States in time. During his SPOTY interview, the jockey addressed his decision and expressed his remorse for the confusion caused by his retirement announcement.
He explained, "At the beginning of the season, I thought, ‘well, I’m 52 and I want to stop at the top’. But I kept on winning and winning, and I found myself questioning whether I was doing the right thing. Unfortunately, by that point, I had already announced my retirement, so I felt trapped."
A Change of Plans
Reflecting on the unexpected turn of events, Dettori shared, "I can't really carry on in England because of all the farewell tours and the statue at Ascot. But I still have the desire to continue doing what I love, so my only option was to emigrate to the USA. It gives me one last chance to pursue my passion until the day I decide it's enough. I apologize to everyone for my mistake and for saying I was going to retire."
Despite his change in plans, Dettori's continued success and unwavering passion have kept the public's support intact. Whether or not he will participate in future races remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the jockey's journey is far from over.
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