Frankie Dettori has revealed that racing‘s recent shutdown has strengthened his decision over his future in the sport.
Dettori has won just about everything there is to win in flat racing and has been crowned Champion Jockey on three occasions, while he has ridden more than 500 winners in Group races.
The likeable Italian is of course in the twilight of his career and will be hitting the half-century mark later this year.
Like everyone else, he has been undergoing lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic but with racing set to resume on Monday, Dettori insists that the recent hiatus has only reinforced his desire to continue in the saddle.
“Having no racing has been a bit like being retired… and I don’t like it! I’ll be 50 later this year, but I’ll be giving myself a couple more seasons at least,” Dettori said in his Sporting Index blog.
“My body can still do it and I’m still in demand, so long may it continue.”
There are of course conditions for sport to be allowed to return and the renowned showman accepts he will be given a new experience, with racing behind closed doors.
However, being back in the saddle competitively is the priority for Dettori, who holds hope that crowds could be back next month.
“I love the crowds and it’s going to be a lot different performing in front of empty stands,” Dettori added.
“Hopefully come July they can start to begin letting people attend meetings, but at least we are going to be back competing and that’s the main thing for now.”
