Frankie Dettori looking forward to ride on Mexican champ in Pegasus World Cup

Frankie Dettori could start the new year with a bang as he's picked up the ride on Mexico's Triple Crown winner Kukulkan in the $9 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational on January 26.

Dettori, who enjoyed a stellar season last year with the likes of dual Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Enable and impressive Champion Stakes victor Cracksman, was contacted last week by trainer Fausto Gutierrez and is set to arrive at Gulfstream Park, Florida, in the week of the race.

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Kukulkan was the name of a Mesoamerican serpent deity. Prior to the Spanish conquest of the Yucatán, Kukulkan was worshipped by the Yucatec Maya peoples of the Yucatán Peninsula, in what is now Mexico.

Dettori said: "He won Mexico's Triple Crown and I think he's unbeaten in his last 14 races."

Kukulkan, a three-year-old son of Point Determined, was last seen winning the $300,000 Clasico del Caribe at Gulfstream Park and the track holds no fears for Dettori, who is looking forward to the ride.

He said: "The good thing is he's already been on the track and handled it very well. It's a challenge, but I'm looking forward to it."

Dettori, who rode the Jamie Osborne-trained Toast Of New York in last year's Pegasus World Cup, is also expected to have rides in the $7 million Pegasus World Cup Turf and $200,000 WL McKnight Handicap on the card.