FRANKIE DETTORI’s farewell world tour moves on to Riyadh for the Saudi Cup next month.
The Italian legend, who will quit the saddle on Champions Day at Ascot in October, is currently beating the freeze riding in California.
Frankie Dettori will ride against old pal Joao ‘Magic Man’ Moreira in Saudi Arabia
However he will jet to the Middle East and make his 11th and last appearance at the swanky King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
Frankie, 52, will get top billing in the International Jockeys Challenge on February 24 and will be joined at the glitzy bash by old pal Joao Moreira.
Frankie said: “In my final year as a jockey I want to go to as many places as possible. I’ve always loved riding at the Saudi Cup.
“Being asked to ride in the International Jockeys Challenge is an honour.
“The Saudi Cup is a huge event I’m delighted to be a part of.
“It will also be one of my last chances to share a weighing room with some of the world’s greatest jockeys like Joao. I know him well and he is a great rider.
“I’ve ridden in Riyadh a lot over the years. It’s a place I enjoy riding at as it’s very fair and the surfaces are always in great condition.
“The IJC event is also a great warm-up event for the big races on the Saturday, and, of course, The Saudi Cup itself, which I’d love to win.”
Brazilian four-time Hong Kong champion Moreira said: “It will be the first time I’ve ridden in Riyadh and I’m excited.
“It’s great Frankie will be there. He’s just a brilliant rider, he’s the best. I can’t believe he is in his last season.
“He is far too good to retire! Getting the chance to ride with him once again is fantastic. It could be one of the last times we do.”
The International Jockeys Challenge features four handicap races, each run for a whopping $400,000.
The showpiece $40million Saudi Cup card takes place 24 hours later on the Saturday.
The glittering one-mile-one-furlong feature, won last year by local hero and 100-1 rank outsider Emblem Road, is worth a cool $10million to the winner.
Now-retired Mishriff and David Egan famously won the thriller in 2021.
Frankie said: “The prize-money is out of this world. I could certainly do with winning a couple of races to top up my retirement fund.
“Hopefully I will get a ride in the big one and, fingers crossed, you never know!
“To do a flying dismount after winning the Saudi Cup would be an incredible way to sign off.”
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