Frankie Dettori reveals the one horse who had him seeking a return to Britain - only for John Gosden to turn him down

Click here to add us to your Google preferred sources or find out more here

Frankie Dettori resisted all temptation to return to Britain after he bowed out in his adopted home with victory in the 2023 Champion Stakes – but only because John Gosden turned down his offer to ride Field Of Gold in last year’s Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

Dettori bowed out of the saddle for good after riding a double at Gavea racecourse in Brazil, including an incredible 298th top-level winner. It was effectively his third retirement, having called it quits in Britain and the US separately before that, and as he admitted in an unmissable interview in Sunday’s newspaper: “No-one believes me any more."

The 55-year-old jockey did at least stay true to his word that he wouldn’t return to Britain after his fairytale ending at Ascot in 2023, but offers were made to him after his move across the Atlantic – and one offer was made by him when it became apparent John Gosden needed a jockey for his best horse.

"Of course, I was tempted to ride in Britain again," he said. "Wesley Ward was dangling the carrot and people were trying to tempt me back for Royal Ascot. Tim Gredley even asked me to ride Ambiente Friendly in the Derby. The naughty me said, 'Go on, do it.' The sensible me knew I could never top what happened on Champions Day.”

Field Of Gold (left): "He did me a favour"Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Perhaps riding one horse could have topped it, though. Field Of Gold was the star of Royal Ascot last year, winning the St James’s Palace Stakes by three and a half lengths with a breathtaking turn of foot under Colin Keane, who then found himself ruled out of the colt’s follow-up assignment at Goodwood because of suspension. Cue a call from Dettori to his old ally.

"After Colin Keane got suspended, I said to John that if he wanted me to ride Field Of Gold in the Sussex Stakes, I would come back. In the end, he got William Buick to ride the horse.”

As it turned out, Field Of Gold picked up an injury and managed only fourth behind his own pacemaker, the shock 150-1 winner Qirat, leaving Dettori to reflect: “Really, he did me a favour."

Read more from Frankie Dettori in The Big Read, available in Sunday's newspaper or online for Racing Post+ Ultimate subscribers from 6pm on Saturday.

Read more:

'I looked up at Christ and thought he was trying to tell me something' - Frankie Dettori retires as a racing god after a dazzling last day in Brazil 

Frankie Dettori bows out in style with Classic success and a historic double on his final day as a jockey

Get 35% off all RP+ packages for a full year

Sign up to Racing Post+ Ultimate now and receive 35% off for a whole year!

Ultimate subscribers will also be able to access all of our unmissable coverage as we count down to the Cheltenham Festival, including our Cheltenham Stable Tours series, which starts on Sunday, February 8th.

This offer is available only to new and returning customers. Subscription will auto-renew at full price unless you call our cancellation line to cancel. Sign up now.