Frankie Dettori: Jockey says he will ride for one final season before retiring

Dettori performs one of his trademark flying dismounts from Stradivarius at Royal Ascot in 2019

Jockey Frankie Dettori has announced that 2023 will be his final season.

The 52-year-old, one of the sport's best-known figures, has ridden more than 3,300 British winners since his first back in 1987.

His wins also include 21 British Classic successes and three champion jockey titles.

"Next year, 2023, will be my final professional year as a jockey. It's something I've been thinking about for a while," he told ITV Racing.

"My heart wants to carry on riding but I have to use my brain. I want to stop at the top. It has been difficult, but I think it's the right time."

The Italian-born jockey plans to start his final season at Santa Anita on 26 December, and his final rides could be at the same Californian track during the 2023 Breeders' Cup next November.

He is still widely remembered for his Magnificent Seven achievement at Ascot in September 1996, where he went through the card, taking all seven races at odds of 25,051-1.

In June 2000, he and fellow jockey Ray Cochrane survived a plane crash at Newmarket which killed the pilot Patrick Mackey. Cochrane pulled Dettori from the burning wreckage.

Another challenging period was a six-month ban in late 2012 for failing a drug test, which he later admitted was a positive test for cocaine.

Since 2015 he has worked as first jockey to John Gosden, who now trains alongside his son Thady. But last June there was a well-publicised split between jockey and trainer described as a "sabbatical", although Dettori was soon back riding for the Gosdens.

Dettori's decision to call it a day is not one he has taken lightly.

"It is a very difficult decision because my heart wants to carry on riding, but I have had to use my brain and I've just turned 52 and next year I'll be 53," he said.

"I want to be competitive enough to do my owners and my horses justice next year, and I think I'm still in that bracket of being good. It was difficult, but it is the right time.

"I spoke to my dad at length. My dad stopped at 51, he is very supporting and I also had to speak to my wife and children who are delighted because they have barely seen me for 35 years.

"I've been thinking about it for a few weeks and I've decided with the firepower I have next year and the horses I have to ride I can finish my career on a big note. Fingers crossed I stay in one piece and we'll give it a good go next year.

"Look at Ronaldo, one day he was playing and he's on the bench the next. I don't want to end up like that and end up where I'm struggling to get rides in the big races. At the moment I still have good horses to ride and I want to finish like that."

AP McCoy, the 20-time champion jump jockey who retired in 2015, was among those who paid tribute to Dettori.

"The hardest thing is knowing when to stop," said McCoy. "It's about beating the clock - and Frankie is going out at the top.

"He's racing's Lionel Messi - you can't teach a kid to ride like Frankie Dettori."

Analysis

Frank Keogh, BBC Sport

Frankie Dettori will leave a huge void in horse racing as one of the sport's most recognised, talented and charismatic individuals.

He created headlines around the world with his Magnificent Seven at Ascot, one highlight in a career for which the word 'rollercoaster' is a perfect fit.

That success led to television appearances as a presenter on Top of the Pops and captain on A Question of Sport. He even launched his own pizza range.

In 2000, he was lucky to escape with his life in a plane crash at Newmarket.

Dettori enjoyed widespread success as number one jockey for Sheikh Mohammed's powerful Godolphin stable before a split and six-month ban after testing positive for cocaine left his career at a crossroads in 2013.

His reunion with old mentor John Gosden brought renewed success, including a second Derby win at Epsom for the jockey with Golden Horn and numerous big-race successes with the likes of Enable and Stradivarius.

Dettori, who celebrated his 52nd birthday on Thursday, will now effectively go on a year-long farewell tour taking in the United States, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and the UK.

And then there will be one final flying dismount for racing's greatest showman.

• From old pick-ups to the fastest car on the planet: Top Gear tests a full range of vehicles

• The gripping story of Sepp Blatter's rise and fall: Explore how football became synonymous with scandal