Frankie Dettori is set to be in attendance at Royal Ascot this week as a racegoer—but the legendary rider has not ruled out a final hurrah at the meeting in the future.
Dettori, who announced he was filing for bankruptcy during Cheltenham Festival week in March, has been riding in the United States since 2024 after a glittering career in Britain.
He revealed he was offered some rides at the meeting this week but felt it was not the right time to participate, although he did not rule out a riding appearance at the royal meeting in future.
Dettori told stake.com: "I won't lie to you, I do have the little devil on my shoulder that says to me 'one more time,' but I just didn't think that this year or last year would have been appropriate. But I will be coming over to Ascot, with a little bit of anxiety feeling that I could have rode.
"I did get some offers, but I'm not going to lie, I do miss it. I had over 80 winners; it has been a huge part of my life. It is quite hard, but after a few champagnes, I get over it. I really do miss it, though."
Dettori's pull at Ascot has been undeniable ever since he famously rode all seven winners on the Queen Elizabeth II (G1) card at the Berkshire course in 1996.
He announced his intention to retire at the end of 2023, a year earlier, but after enjoying a memorable season, he performed a U-turn, instead moving to the U.S. to continue his career.
He added: "I will be there this year. There is a bit of a period from now until Saratoga, I will fly over this weekend, it is my daughter's birthday and I will try and see as many kids as I can in my tribe of five, and show my face at Royal Ascot and see some old friends before I come back to Saratoga and start again. I use this opportunity to enjoy the racing and then see the family."
