Jockey Frankie Dettori meets his Newmarket mural

The mural is one of a number commissioned to mark Dettori's 38-year racing career

Jockey Frankie Dettori has described coming face to face with a giant mural of himself painted in his home town as "an honour".

The artwork is one of a number commissioned by The Jockey Club and painted at key racing towns to mark Dettori's 38-year racing career.

The 52-year-old will bid farewell to British racing at Ascot on 21 October before departing for the US.

He said leaving Newmarket will be "bittersweet" and "a big day" for him.

Since first arriving in the Suffolk town as a 14-year-old, Dettori has ridden more than 3,300 winners across the world.

Last week he claimed his 500th win at Newmarket courtesy of Inspiral.

Asked about the giant mural, Mr Dettori said: "It is an honour to have something permanent.

"I have been a Newmarket boy for 38 years and tomorrow will be my last day at Newmarket.

"I have spent more years here in Newmarket than in my home town in Milan.

"I've made some great friends and it means a lot and it has been great to be a part of the racing world for so many years."

On Thursday, Dettori announced he had abandoned his planned retirement and was instead moving to California to continue his glittering career.

Dettori said he was abandoning his retirement plans because of his successes this year

The rider said his successes this year, which have included winning the 2,000 Guineas, the Oaks and the Ebor during a farewell tour, had prompted a rethink.

"I feel like this is not the right moment yet," he said.

"When I announced I was going to retire (in December 2022) I thought things would fizzle out, but I've had as good a year as I've had for many years."

Speaking about the mural, Sophie Able, of Newmarket Racecourse, said: "Frankie's contribution to Newmarket and British racing more widely cannot be underestimated over what has been a long and stellar riding career.

"We are delighted to be able to mark this momentous occasion for flat racing and add a permanent tribute to Frankie and all that he has achieved at his home racecourse."