Father and son: Frankie Dettori could delay retirement to ride against son Rocco

Frankie Dettori could delay his retirement if it gives him the chance to ride against son Rocco – although the legendary jockey admits he was not keen for the youngster to pursue a career in the saddle.

The 48-year-old's outstanding career has spanned 32 years and featured a host of major big-race wins, including two Derbys, along with three jockeys' championships.

Despite initial concerns as a parent, Dettori revealed riding against Rocco, 14, is the one “amazing ambition” he hopes to realise before finally quitting life in the saddle. It was also an ambition he got to realise against his Classic-winning father, Gianfranco, before his retirement.

Dettori said: “I rode with my dad and it was an amazing experience and I’m very proud that I did it. If [Rocco] wants to do it it’s an amazing ambition of mine to be able to ride with him. He can tell his children that we did it.

“Obviously as a parent I really don’t want him to do it but as a sportsman or as a way of life, if you love it then it’s really amazing. He seems to have the right physique and if he wants to pursue this sport I’m going to try to help him. It’s up to him."

He added: "He’s only 14. I didn’t want him to do it [as] it’s a job that has sacrifices and ridiculous hours. At the moment he seems very keen but when you’re a teenager you can change from week to week."

A father of five, Dettori believes he owes his star-studded career to his father, describing him as “my first inspiration”.

This week’s Investec Derby festival at Epsom marks 25 years since the first of Dettori’s 17 British Classic victories when Balanchine won the 1994 Oaks. The sizeable haul includes Derby victories on Authorized in 2007 and Golden Horn four years ago, and Dettori explained why he cherishes both Derby triumphs for rather different reasons.

Dettori's first Derby win came on AuthorizedCredit: Mark Cranham

Gianfranco was at Epsom for his son’s success on Authorized and Dettori, talking to thejockeyclub.co.uk, said: “Having Dad there was amazing. We’d talked about it for years.

“He had this beautiful white gold watch that he used to pull out of the safe once a year when he went to the gala dinner and he used to dangle it in my face.

“He would say, ‘One year when you win the Epsom Derby I’m going to give it to you’. Anyway, true to his word he brought the watch with him and he gave it to me. It meant a lot.”

However, it is Golden Horn’s dominant win for John Gosden and Anthony Oppenheimer that Dettori rates as his most memorable.

Dettori cherishes Golden Horn's win in the Derby as his most memorableCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

He said: “In my 32 years as a professional that was probably the most emotional moment I’d felt in my life when Golden Horn hit the front and I knew I was going to win. To a point that I didn’t feel my body, it felt like jelly, like someone had taken the power out of my muscles.

“It was incredible for many reasons. I was 44, I’d been through some bad times. The kids were old enough to understand. I remember they had made banners for me when I left the house.

“In all the big races I’ve won that was probably the most emotional I’d felt.”

Dettori's Derby record

Year Horse Position
1992 Pollen Count 16th
1993 Wolf Prince8th
1994 Linney Head10th
1995 Tamure2nd
1996 Shantou3rd
1997 Bold Demand 9th
1998 Cape Verdi 9th
1999 Dubai Millennium 9th
2001 Tobougg3rd
2002 Naheef7th
2003 Graikos8th
2004 Snow Ridge 7th
2005 Dubawi3rd
2006 Linda’s Lad 9th
2007 AuthorizedWON
2008 Rio De La Plata 7th
2009 Kite Wood 9th
2010 Rewilding3rd
2011 Ocean War 11th
2015 Golden Horn WON
2016 Wings Of Desire4th
2017 Cracksman 3rd
2018 Hazapour 5th

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