Wait, is it really happening this time? Frankie Dettori has once again announced that he’s hanging up his saddle. Yes, the same Frankie who had us all fooled back in 2022 when he called off his “final farewell” and crossed the Atlantic in the United States. Back then, he planned to retire after the 2023 Breeders’ Cup, but the thrill of racing pulled him back in. The legendary jockey says it’s time to retire after two successful seasons, first in Florida and then on the West Coast.

Rubber-stamping that decision, Dettori shared a heartfelt post on X, captioned simply, “I’ve loved it ❤️.” Along with that, he posted an image of himself waving from horseback, paired with a message to his fans. “Following the Breeders’ Cup on Saturday, 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.”

With a heartfelt “Ciao, Frankie,” he bid farewell to his family, trainers, owners, stable employees, and the innumerable supporters who helped make his journey possible.

However, given Dettori’s background, it is impossible to ignore the possibility of an additional twist. This is the man who, after all, made curtain calls out of farewells. This weekend, the 54-year-old will be riding Argine in the Breeders’ Cup, where he has already won 15 times, including last year’s victory with Inspiral.

With a double with King of Steel and Trawlerman at Ascot in 2023, he formally bid farewell to British racing. However, there are rumors that he might return in 2026, possibly competing in a global jockeys’ league. So, is this truly farewell? You never know with Frankie Dettori.

Frankie Dettori bows out (for real this time?)

As Frankie Dettori prepares for his final appearance at this weekend’s Breeders’ Cup, he has now hinted at a possible 2026 appearance in the Global Jockeys’ League. Well, yes! Because horse racing is how he grew up. He rode his first winner in 1986, won the apprentice title in Britain three years later, and continued to dominate the sport into the 1990s and 2000s. In addition to winning 23 British Classics and being crowned British Champion Jockey three times, he made history in 1996 when he won all seven races at Ascot in a single day, earning him the nickname “Magnificent Seven.”

He led champions like Enable and Stradivarius to glory for twenty years as the face of Sheikh Mohammed’s powerful Godolphin operation. He is among the top 25 riders in the United States and the fourth most successful jockey per winner in terms of prize money, proving that he can compete even across the pond. However, there has been turbulence behind the glitter. He miraculously survived a plane crash in 2000 that killed his pilot. Additionally, he declared bankruptcy in March of this year after a protracted tax dispute with HMRC.

Even so, time itself, scandals, and setbacks couldn’t lessen his star power. In an attempt to increase his 15 Cup wins, he will partner five horses at the Breeders’ Cup this weekend, including Wimbledon Hawkeye in the Turf and Khaadem in the Turf Sprint. With career earnings exceeding $60,815,441, Frankie Dettori rides into what may be his last sunset, raising the question of whether this is the end of his story or just another remarkable chapter.