FRANKIE DETTORI has said next year is set to be the last of his glittering career.
The legendary Italian has rubbished any talk of a sudden retirement at Champions Day on Saturday afternoon.
The world’s most famous jockey could hang up his saddle for good next year
Frankie with loyal wife Catherine who has been by his side for all the highs and lows of his incredible career
But the 51-year-old admits he could bring the curtain down on life as a jockey after 35 years at the top next season.
Frankie said: “I’m definitely riding on next year, I know that, one hundred per cent.
“There are still some things to look forward to but next season might be my last.
“At the moment I’m still loving it, I’m riding whenever I can. But we’ll have to see how I’m feeling this time next year.
“Hopefully someone can find me a winner in the July Cup! That’s the only big race I need.”
Frankie has been through a rollercoaster year with bans and a high-profile mid-season ‘sabbatical’ from his gaffer John Gosden.
But he has still managed to win SEVEN Group 1s and could add to that with four big rides at Ascot on Saturday.
Last week he celebrated winning the Dewhurst on Chaldean with a flying dismount after ending up on the turf in an earlier race.
There’s still plenty of life left in the Italian.
He laughed: “My shoulder is horrible, it looks black and it’s bruised. I got a right kicking but I can’t feel any pain.
“This year has been very up and down, I’m the first to admit that.
“It started amazingly in Dubai but then we had a bit of bad luck in the Oaks and things didn’t go right with Stradivarius.
“We won the Ebor, the Jacques le Marois but I was suspended and missed two Group 1s on Lezoo and Commissioning.
“I could have had better luck, but you won’t hear me complain! Seven Group 1s isn’t too bad, is it?
“I held my hands up and said I didn’t have the best Royal Ascot. John and I had our words and we moved on. We’re best friends.”
Inspiral is Frankie’s best chance of a winner on Champions Day and he hopes she can show everyone just how good she is.
The Sporting Index ambassador said: “She’s a brilliant filly. This is her toughest test, but she’s a champion. I’d have liked a better draw but they will all go to the far side.
“It was a tough choice between riding Emily Upjohn and Mimikyu in the Filles & Mares.
“But I plumped for Emily on her Oaks second.
“We were scratching our head after her run in the King George so hopefully she puts that behind her.
“She’s had a break and has worked in a hood and that’s helped her to settle.
“Trawlerman has a lot to find in the Long Distance Cup, but he stays well.
“Kinross loves his racing and had no luck in the race last year but again his draw isn’t helpful at all. I wanted to be on the other side.”
