Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori has confirmed that this weekend’s Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar will mark the end of his riding career in the United States, and that he plans to finish his time in the saddle with a handful of high profile rides in South America.

Dettori, aged 54, announced via a statement that he will retire from U.S. racing following the Breeders’ Cup weekend.

He wrote: “Following the Breeders’ Cup, I will be retiring from race riding in the United States and concluding my career with a few rides in South America, something I’ve always wanted to do.”

This closing chapter comes after a career that has spanned over four decades, nearly 300 Group/Grade 1 winners and some of the most iconic moments in modern racing.

While many expected Dettori to retire fully in the UK in 2023, he instead relocated his ambitions to North America and extended his tenure in the saddle.

The decision to finish his riding career in South America adds a different angle, but Dettori has said that he has always wanted to do this, so it maybe won’t come as a surprise to those who know him.

I’ve loved it ❤️ pic.twitter.com/D6XZKoznar

— Frankie Dettori (@FrankieDettori) October 29, 2025

There’s no doubt that horse racing is a worldwide sport but South America doesn’t really stand at the top of the pack, like the US and UK does, where he’s been before.

While it was be quite fitting to see him go out with a winner at one of the biggest meetings in the world, his book of rides is probably going to make that tough. Of course, should he manage to bag a winner, I’m sure you’ll hear the cheers around the world.

Amo Racing Ambassador Role Lined Up Already

In the second phase of his next act, Dettori has already transitioned himself into a new role away from the saddle.

He has been announced as global brand ambassador for the ownership group Amo Racing, led by Kia Joorabchian.

Dettori described the move as “a natural next step”, saying: “I’m looking forward to being part of the team, growing with them, and helping to share our love of racing with fans around the world.”

Joorabchian added: “Frankie is a true icon of our sport, his presence, his personality and his passion for racing are unmatched.”

Dettori’s new ambassadorial role will see him representing Amo Racing’s global interests, their brand development, media engagement and international outreach.

It will also allow him the chance of maintaining a connection to the sport as his riding days draw to a close.

They’ve teamed up before, on the track, Amo Racing and Dettori share history, notably the 2023 Champion Stakes win aboard King Of Steel. Now the collaboration moves off the track.

While it’s quite an abrupt end to life inside US racing, it’s not the overall end yet, and there’s a chance that Dettori could bag a big winner in South America before he calls it a day for good.

But UK racing fans probably won’t see much of that, what we will see, is what comes after, as many of Amo Racing’s big money purchases run in the UK, so I can only assume Dettori will be in and around them.

The ambassador role with Amo Racing allows him to stay relevant, share his experience of the sport, and potentially keep close to fans. It could also be seen as a bridge, is this happening because down the line, Dettori himself wants to be in ownership, or breeding or racehorses, and this gets him some experience?

I’ll be honest and say I fully expected him to move into the media side of things, even if it was just from time to time at the big flat meetings. That could of course still happen, and I’m sure Amo Racing won’t mind, as it gets them in the coverage too.