Frankie Dettori returned to Royal Ascot admitting he wishes he was still riding at the famous meeting.
The legendary jockey rode in Britain for 32 years and excelled at the royal meeting where he rode 81 winners, finishing top jockey on seven occasions, At the end of 2022 he announced he would have one more year in the saddle before retiring.
However he rode so many big race successes during 2023 that he performed a u-turn on his decision, quitting Britain after Champions Day at Ascot and emigrating to California to continue riding. Although he resisted offers to ride at Royal Ascot but has returned to attend the meeting but only as a spectator.
“It’s strange,��� he said. “I used to come here for five or six races. You’re stressed. The first day is big with three Group 1s.
“Now I come here super relaxed. I got a great welcome from everyone. Of course at the bottom of my heart I wish I was riding. But I promised I wouldn’t do it and I am now pleased to be here.”
Dettori, 53, has quickly established himself as an elite rider in the US yet admitted he still gets approached to return to his adopted home for big races.
He got an offer to ride Derby runner-up Ambientre Friendly at Epsom this month, while he also turned down royal meeting regular Wesley Ward’s request to ride his US runners at Royal Ascot.
“Wesley went mind at me, but he’ll get over it,” Dettori said. “I got a few offers. Tim and Bill Gredley asked me to ride in the Epsom Derby and I said ‘I can’t do it’.
“It’s too fresh in people’s memories. I had an amazing farewell by everyone and it’s unfair to everyone that said goodbye to me. That’s why I ended up in America because I wasn’t ready to stop.
“My final day was a Hollywood script. I couldn’t have wrote it better myself with all my kids, winning the Champion Stakes.
“You can’t get any bigger than that. I left at the right time. In the UK everywhere I went I got a massive farewell. I gave myself a new challenge in America and I’m enjoying it.
“Going to America and taking them on in their backyard, they are not going to roll out the red carpet for you. I knew it was going to be difficult but it’s going really well. For me it’s all new so it’s keeping me young.
“I have so much to look forward to, summer in Saratoga and then Breeders’ Cups. The Triple Crown was an amazing experience.”
Dettori has ridden 43 winners this year in the US of £4.3 million in prize-money.
He said: “In America age is not a big factor where as where in Europe we think aged 50 you should smoke your pipe and wear your slippers. There are a few jockeys over 50 in America and they are still doing well. I am in that group.
“It’s been a new challenge on everything. I did five states in seven days last week. I live in a suitcase but it’s been fun at the moment. I was silly to say I was going to retire because I’m enjoying it so much.
“I miss the big days here but I don’t miss sitting in the car for hours on end. In America most of the time we are based in one place and have a bit more of a life. At this stage of my life it’s easier for me to be an American jockey.”
Asked if he could be riding at the meeting in 2025, he replied: “I’m not going to answer that question. We’ll see how it goes this week.”
Royal Ascot kicks off on Tuesday, June 18, and runs to Saturday, June 22, 2024. Tickets are out right now on Ticketmaster, and you can get yours here.