Ascot turned me from a boy into a man – I’ll miss all of you on my final day, but maybe it’s not goodbye forever…

THERE will be tears and, I hope, plenty of cheers at Ascot.

There is no getting away from it, today is going to be mentally tough.

PA:Press AssociationFrom a young buck changing the sport single-handedly with his flying dismounts and lovable charm…[/caption]

PA… to the 52-year-old veteran racing in (probably) his final Champions Day – Ascot is going to miss maverick Dettori[/caption]

I just hope I can keep my emotions in check — and, of course, most importantly — ride a winner!

Bet £10 on any Frankie Dettori ride on Champions Day at Ascot and get £30 in free bets with Tote – claim here*

It’s been so long since I first rode at Ascot I can barely remember it.

The furthest I can think back to is the Royal Hunt Cup in 1987 for Clive Brittain. I finished sixth on a horse called Merle and was riding off 7st 6lb putting up 1lb overweight! I was pretty skinny back then.

Then, of course, there was Markofdistinction who was my first winner at the Royal meeting in 1990. He won the Queen Anne for my mentor and great friend Luca Cumani.

Fast forward to this year and it was great to ride four winners there — and, of course, win the Gold Cup, meet The King… and accidentally break Royal protocol by giving Queen Camilla a kiss!

Frankie Dettori’s final Ascot rides – back them by clicking their odds

1.15 Trawlerman 12-1

1.50 Kinross 13-8

2.25 Free Wind 10-3

3.05 Chaldean 11-1

3.45 King Of Steel 4-1

In total I was lucky enough to ride 81 winners at the Royal meeting.

Ascot, to me, is everything. It’s the best turf track in the world and the atmosphere today will be amazing as always.

Now it is hard to believe I will be having my final rides at the track while I am still based in England.

I have had this day pencilled in my diary for months now.

There have been so many wonderful days here. Too many great horses to mention, too many great trainers and wonderful owners to thank.

I’m going to miss this place.

Champions Day here was always going to be my British farewell and it still is, although I know there are lots of people out there — including the bookies — who think I’ll be back for the Royal meeting!

You know me — I never rule anything out or anything in. We’ll see how everything goes in the next six months because it’s going to be a very busy time.

I will soon be getting my passport out again — I’ve certainly been racking up the air miles this year. I’ve been riding all over the world — but I’ve enjoyed every minute.

In fact, I’ve probably enjoyed it too much and, some might say, it has gone too well — that’s why I changed my mind and decided to ride on into next year.

After today I will be riding at the Breeders’ Cup in Santa Anita in a couple of weeks’ time, then down to Australia for the Melbourne Cup festival and then on to Hong Kong.

That was always the plan. The only thing which has changed is after that.

From December I will be based in the USA full time in California and I’m really excited about that.

To be honest, next year for me will be about riding some big winners in America and, of course, the Kentucky Derby — that’s pretty much top of my bucket list.

I am committed to going to America and having a proper go at it there.

I can’t be going backwards and forwards across the Atlantic like a yo-yo. That would be impossible.

ReutersDettori might be good mates with King Charles at Ascot – but it’s the jockey who’s racing royalty[/caption]

Loyal wife Catherine has been by Dettori’s side throughout his Royal Ascot career – even letting him get away with some questionable suit choicesPA:Press Association

PA:Press AssociationWho else could have got away with putting legendary hardman Vinnie Jones in a headlock at Ascot?[/caption]

ReutersEven Harry and Meghan make time for Dettori at Ascot[/caption]

I had such a good time in California over the winter I want to do it again.

I have plenty of good friends there and you know me, as a hot-blooded Italian, I just love the sun on my back.

As well as riding in the States, I’ll also be taking in some big races in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. I believe I’m riding as well as ever and I’m sure there are some big-race wins out there for me.

I’m excited about the future. It’s not time for me to get my pipe and slippers out just yet.

We’ve now sorted things out at home. The kids are settled, our house has been rented so we are ready to roll.

My wife Catherine and I will be moving out just before Christmas. And I hope some of the kids will be able to join us. The visas are all sorted.

My first rides as a US-based jockey will be at Santa Anita on Boxing Day.

I’ve not put a time frame on how long I will carry on riding. It could be time to go next year or maybe even further down the line.

I know my good friend Steve Cauthen says I could ride until I’m 60 but even I think that’s pushing it, Steve!

I started thinking about riding on after York and the win on Mostahdaf in the Juddmonte International. I started thinking ‘why quit now?’ I just felt I was not ready to stop.

I’ll tackle the question of riding in Britain again closer to the time.

I can’t say yes, I can’t say no because I don’t know. I’m just keeping my options open.

I know there will be plenty of hype around me at the track today but it’s not just about me. It’s Champions Day and this is our premier day of the season. The day we crown our champions.

Well done to William Buick for winning his second championship. He is a world-class jockey and the title is fully deserved. You really have to put in the hard yards to be champion jockey.

And congratulations to young Billy Loughnane who is champion apprentice.

That was something I managed to do in 1989! That really was the start for me.

I have a lovely book of rides this afternoon at my favourite racecourse.

A lot of my friends and family will be at the track. I’m sure things will get to me at some stage but the reality will probably only hit me when I eventually get time to reflect later tonight, or when I wake up tomorrow.

For now, let’s go and ride a winner!

Thanks for everything, Frankie – there’ll never be another like youReuters

Frankie Dettori was speaking in association with the World Pool – claim £30 in free bets with the Tote here*

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