Can Frankie Dettori Find Success Outside Of UK Racing?

Frankie Dettori made the shocking decision to announce his retirement from professional riding in 2023, before making a dramatic U-turn and reveal that he will be taking up rides in the United States throughout 2024. 

His absence in UK racing is likely to have an impact on the mainstream attention that the flat racing season will get, especially during Royal Ascot, which was a meet in which the Italian achieved major success. 

However, his goal this year remains very clear, as he will be looking to land victories in some of the most prestigious races Stateside. But, can the legendary Italian finally pick up major race wins in some of the world’s most prestigious races that have eluded him throughout his career to this point? 

Derby Dream Left Unfulfilled 

When Dettori announced his decision to resume riding in the United States, he quickly made it clear that one of his big goals in 2024 was to get a ride in the Kentucky Derby. The opening leg of the Triple Crown is one of the few big races on the calendar that he was yet to win, and he was hoping to join the legendary Steve Cauthen as the only other jockey to have won both the Derby and Kentucky Derby. 

However, he wasn’t able to achieve that dream at Churchill Downs last weekend, as Society Man could finish no better than 16^th in the Kentucky Derby. Dettori encountered issues throughout the race, but the three-year-old showed little in the closing stages to get any closer to the leading contenders. The performance saw the runner finish 33 lengths off the pace, but he was only narrowly behind pre-race favourite Fierceness. 

Triple Crown Race Win Could Come At Pimlico

Dettori’s potential rides in the Derby were limited due to the on-going ban for Bob Baffert making entries at Churchill Downs. However, the legendary Italian will likely get to ride a runner with a leading chance at Pimlico for the middle leg of the Triple Crown. Baffert has two potential runners for the Preakness Stakes odds, with Dettori expected to take the ride on Imagination. The three-year-old will head to Pimlico with an excellent chance after never finishing outside of the top two in five career starts.

He produced a strong finishing effort on his previous start when finishing a neck behind Stronghold in the G1 Santa Anita Derby. He was also the winner of the G2 San Felipe Stakes over an extended mile at Santa Anita in March. That form reads very strong, and connections are rightly bullish surrounding his chances at Pimlico this year. Baffert trained the winner of the Preakness last year, as National Treasure came out on top. But, the betting for the Triple Crown race will likely make Imagination’s stablemate Muth as the hot favourite for success this year.

Dettori’s Stateside Adventure So Far

Dettori’s decision to continue riding in the United States this year has already been one that has been vindicated based on the wins that he has clocked up. The Italian has taken 202 rides so far in 2024, recording victories on 37 occasions to pick up prize money in the region of $4 million. As well as the winners, Dettori has also finished second on 32 occasions, and has claimed third spot on 39 occasions.

Imagination gave him his biggest purse after landing the G2 San Felipe Stakes, but he also has some very interesting turf winners already this year. That includes Beaute Cachee in the G1 Jenny Wiley Stakes. Uncorked produced another graded win in the G3 Royal Heroine, while Nothing Like You claimed the spoils in the G2 Santa Anita Oaks. Therefore, it’s likely that he could have some leading chances between now and the end of the season, including at the Breeders’ Cup in November.

A Return To Royal Ascot?

Dettori will be a rider that is forever intertwined with the Royal Ascot meet, and his achievements at the track were honoured in 2023 when a statue of the Italian was unveiled by the Queen. However, the Italian has remained tight lipped surrounding a potential return to the iconic festival this year, as he bids to remain truthful after completing his farewell tour around the UK last year.

Wesley Ward has typically targeted two-year-old races at Ascot, and the American will likely bring a travelling party over to the UK this year. However, he could opt to side with the Ascot experience of Dettori after Irad Ortiz’s struggles at the meet in the last two years. Brad Cox may also bring over a few runners for the festival this year, and Dettori’s experience of Ascot would be a huge asset. Meanwhile, John & Thady Gosden may yet look to enlist the help of their former stable jockey should they need any rides covered.