 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
As a race fan growing up, I remember so many of the greatest horses to ever run a circuit as well as the legendary jockeys that have ever ridden a winner. I particularly remember Frankie Dettori, an Italian who could do things that most couldn’t when on top of a horse, as they were hurtling their way down the tracks on virtually any track in the world. His trademark dismount and his charisma when speaking are forever burned in my mind.
As a journalist who covers the Sport Of Kings, it’s not a stretch to say there will never be another Frankie Dettori and that horse racing is greater for having this man from Milan take up the sport.
Dettori hopes to showcase his trade mark jump during the Dubai World Cup meeting for the last time riding Country Grammer. The hoop hopes to complete a fifth victory in the Dubai World Cup race and a second with the son of Tonalist.
To commemorate his last Dubai World Cup meeting, we asked the man himself a few questions in his farewell to the UAE.
Q: With a career that has spanned close to four decades from the first time you rode as a work jockey, who are the top three horses you ever rode and why?
A: The horses I remember the most are:
 |  |
Q: Having ridden all over the world what do you see as the main differences in riding between hemispheres? In terms of riding styles and preferred conditions?
A: I am lucky that my career has been so international that I can ride anywhere and am second on the jockeys’ list in California this winter.
Q: You have conquered races all over the world and in the UAE you have many achievements including 5 x Al Maktoum Challenge R3, 3 x Dubai Turf, 3 x Dubai Sheema Classic, and even more impressively 4 x Dubai World Cup wins. What does Dubai mean to you in terms of your career and what do you hope to get from this campaign, your final race night in Dubai as a jockey?
A: I love Dubai and think of it as home after 30 years there. I’ve been so privileged to see it blossom into such an amazing country.
Q: Words such as ‘outstanding’, ‘once in a generation’, and ‘legendary’ will be used for a long time to describe your career. What have been the most memorable rides and wins in your career?
A: Every win at Ascot and in Dubai has been important but every big win keeps you at the top.
Q: In wrapping up your career what is one lesson you have learned along the way that you’ve found invaluable for success?
A: Stay friends with everyone but remember that staying at the top is as hard as getting there in the first place.
Dubai salutes you Frankie Dettori along with the world.
On World Cup Night we will be watching to see you do what you do best and what many will try to devote their lives to doing and not even get close to achieving.
From a fan of this sport and a fan of everything you have done in your career, we thank you for making racing even greater.