Dettori will retire from U.S. racing after Breeders' Cup

Star jockey Frankie Dettori says he will retire from U.S. racing after this weekend's Breeders' Cup at Del Mar.

Dettori, who will turn 55 in December, said in an X post that he will conclude his career "with a few rides in South America, something I've always wanted to do."

Dettori announced plans to retire in 2023, after riding in the U.S. following a stellar career in Europe. He had begun riding regularly in Southern California in late 2022, and he switched his tack to Kentucky this year.

Dettori won his first race at Turin on Nov. 16, 1986 at the age of 16 and began winning in the United Kingdom the following year.

Perhaps his most famous riding feat came on Sept. 28, 1996, when he won all seven races at British Champions Day at Ascot. Dettori has won flagship races elsewhere in the world as well, including six victories in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, four editions of the Dubai World Cup, three runnings of the Japan Cup and three editions of the Italian Derby in his native country.

Dettori has been riding at the Breeders' Cup since 1990 and has had 129 mounts with 15 wins, most recently with Inspiral in the 2023 Filly & Mare Turf. He has mounts in five races this weekend, plus an also-eligible. He also was slated to ride Civil Liberty in the Juvenile, but he will scratch because of a swollen tendon.