FRANKIE DETTORI has been labelled ‘the best of all time’ after smashing the £150,000-a-week earnings mark in the USA.
The legendary rider, 53, has been riding out of his skin in Santa Anita, California, since shocking the racing world with his retirement U-turn last October.
APDettori has proved the move to the US has been worthwhile[/caption]
He started competing full-time in the States on Boxing Day and, in just over three weeks since, has already won more than £450,000 in prize money.
His latest big-money win came on outsider Honey Pants in the Grade 3 Las Cienegas Stakes last Sunday night.
Sent off 14-1 behind stablemate and red-hot 10-11 fav Elm Drive, Dettori overcame dropping his whip in the closing stages to hang on for victory.
The win was worth £50,000 to connections – with Dettori keeping around ten per cent – and was the most high profile yet of his triumphs Stateside.
Honey Pants’ trainer Philip D’Amato was absolutely loving it and gushing in his prase of Dettori.
He said: “What can you say? Frankie Dettori, he is the best of all time.
“To get your picture taken with him, it’s a good day.
“He just puts horses in the right spot, and he just gets them to finish.
“When you can do those things consistently day in and day out like he does, you get results.”
Although not short of a bob or two, moving to the States now looks a wise decision for Dettori.
He’s got the sun on his back, is enjoying the more relaxed approach to racing in the US – and has the best chance yet of fulfilling his dream of winning the Kentucky Derby.
The jockey hasn’t completely cut ties with Blighty, however.
He recently rode a winner for an English trainer who broke rules 527 times.
And in an interview with Piers Morgan recalled how one embarrassing moment in front of the late Queen led to him being escorted away.
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