FRANKIE DETTORI is set to break new ground by racing in an entirely new country this weekend as part of his global farewell world tour.
After announcing his retirement last year, Dettori is setting himself a new challenge by heading off to pastures new in… Hungary.
Dettori is having a year to remember… in his final one in the saddlePA
Dettori has had an awesome 2023 with a host of Group 1s – and there’s talk he could extend his racing career into next year.
He will be teaming up with top owners Jim and Fitri Hay after they courted his services soon after Glorious Goodwood.
Dettori is set to race in the 1m4f Kincsem Stakes at the racetrack of the same name and the 1m Zakarias Aperianov Memorial-Imperial Stakes.
Explaining his decision to head there, the 52-year-old rider told the Racing Post: “Jim said to me during Goodwood that he was sending a couple of horses and asked if I wanted to ride them.
“My thought was ‘why not?’
“I’m really looking forward to it as I love a new challenge and a new country – that’s what really gets me going.”
A lack of experience at the track is no barrier to globe-trotting Italian.
He’s been getting in the ear of best mate Rab Havlin for tips on how to ride the track.
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And with two horses entered for each race, Spledant and Tides Of War in the Kincsem Stakes and Silent Film and Sceptic in the Imperial Stake, Dettori has the pick of the bunch.
Dettori added: “Jim and Fitri sending over horses from Britain is unheard of, so you have to appreciate the support that they have put into this.”
In an attempt to re-establish Hungarian horse racing, the Ministry of Defence and the Government is seeking to promote the sport through fixtures such as the Autumn international meeting.
Racing manager for the Hays, Alex Cole, recently said that a combination of a ‘joint- venture with the Hungarian government’ and their ‘business interests’ has led to Dr and Mrs Hay becoming involved with horse racing in Hungary, in which they ‘are excited to be part of’.
The farewell global tour doesn’t end in Hungary for Dettori, with the Hong Kong Mile in Sha Tin on December 11 set to be his final ever ride… maybe.
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