Frankie Dettori has responded to a cheeky suggestion he could make another dramatic comeback. The Italian rode for the final time in Brazil in February after taking his farewell tour to South America.
Retirement reversals
The legendary jockey had originally scheduled his retirement for Champions Day at Ascot in October 2023 only to reverse his decision to call it a day and continue his career in the US. The 55-year-old confirmed last November that his time there would come to an end at the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar ahead of a short farewell trip to South America which ended in Rio de Janeiro.
Ambassador role
He has since taken on a role as ambassador for Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing, representing the football agent on the racecourse. But rumours have surfaced about the future of the team’s retained jockey David Egan after he was overlooked for some of the Amo rides.
Joorabchian has made no comment while Egan addressed the speculation after riding a winner at Leicester on Wednesday night. “There’s been no quotes from anyone and I’d like to say no comment from me,” he told RacingTV. “I’ve got no comment on the situation. I’m declared to ride a horse on Friday for Amo, plan to ride for him on Saturday and even into next week so no comment.”
Betting odds
Nevertheless online bookmaker Betway fed the rumour mill by speculating whether Dettori could be in line for a dramatic comeback. The firm offered odds of 4-1 that he would ride for Amo Racing in the UK before the end of 2027.
Spokesperson Lewis Knowles said: ''Frankie has certainly been the comeback king over the years, with more than one retirement U-turn, so you could never truly rule out a return to the saddle at some stage. “His relationship with Kia Joorabchian and the Amo Racing operation as Racing Manager is seemingly going from strength to strength, and with a retained rider vacancy very much open, it's certainly not beyond the realms of possibility that we could see the great man in those famous purple silks once again.''
Dettori responded with a laughing emoji.
