FRANKIE DETTORI will leave his family at home over Christmas when he flies to start a new venture in America.
The legendary Italian jockey, 51, said the decision to soak up the sun in California over the dark winter months was too good to turn down.
Dettori said he and loyal wife Catherine are in total agreement over his surprise winter trip to the US
Dettori says his kids are a bit older now so they are not too bothered by him not being around for Christmas Day
Dettori, whose loyal wife Catherine has been by his side throughout his career, said he discussed the idea with his family first.
And he said Catherine and their five children – Leo, Ella, Mia, Tallula and Rocco – were fully supportive.
Dettori, who said he could still be racing in America into next summer, told Nick Luck: “I’m going to spend the winter in California.
“I’ll be in Santa Anita, where I started many years ago as a young boy.
“I have been going to Dubai for the winter over the past few years but this opportunity came up and I thought why not?
“I talked to my family, my wife – I will not spend Christmas with them.
“My kids are not young so they don’t really care about Christmas Day, all they want is a present… preferably money!
“I will go just before Christmas and ride on the opening day – which will be Boxing Day – in amazing races.
“I will spend a good chunk of the winter there then who knows?
“If you’re going to do it, do it properly.
“Who knows, I might find a nice three-year-old who heads to Churchill Downs for the first Saturday in May [for the Kentucky Derby].”
Dettori, who endured one of the most tumultuous years of his career this season after being dumped by John Gosden before quickly reuniting, says he has teamed up with top agent Ron Anderson.
He added: “I have had a lot of requests from trainers and I thought why not?
“I’ve gone back to Ron Anderson who is a top class agent and friend.
“I had a chat with him and he was willing to take me under his umbrella, he’s a good person to have on your side.
“I felt like in this stage of my career I have done Dubai a lot, I need a fresh challenge.
“I don’t want to look too far ahead. I will start from Boxing Day.
“I have left all my options open. My focus is to do well and we’ll take it from there.”
