PartialLogo
Britain

Frankie Dettori back aboard Dubai World Cup winner at Santa Anita on December 26

Country Grammer: a fourth Dubai World Cup winner for Frankie Dettori in March
Country Grammer: a fourth Dubai World Cup winner for Frankie Dettori in MarchCredit: Edward Whitaker

Frankie Dettori will be reunited with Dubai World Cup winner Country Grammer in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita when the legendary rider kickstarts his US stint on December 26.

Dettori, who announced on Saturday that 2023 will be his final year in the saddle, matched Jerry Bailey’s record of four wins in the Meydan showpiece when successful on the Bob Baffert-trained five-year-old in March.

Country Grammer has failed to win in three subsequent starts, finishing second in the San Diego Handicap, a distant runner-up to Flightline in the Pacific Classic and filling the same spot behind Defunded in the Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita in October.

He faces five rivals in the San Antonio Stakes, including Alliance Stakes second Heywoods Beach, and Dettori will be riding against Mike Smith, Joel Rosario and Flavien Prat among others.

Frankie Dettori: in action at Santa Anita on December 26
Frankie Dettori: in action at Santa Anita on December 26Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Dettori will bid for a 283rd top-level win in the American Oaks later on the card aboard the George Papaprodromou-trained Lady Clementine, who is part-owned by Qatar Racing.

Lady Clementine failed to win in four starts in Britain for Andrew Balding but has been successful in two of her five starts in the US, including in claiming company at Del Mar last month. She finished seventh on her first try at the top level in the Del Mar Oaks in August.

She faces ten rivals in the American Oaks, a race Dermot Weld landed with Dimitrova in 2003.

Dettori will be based at Santa Anita in California during his ten-week riding spell in the US but will aim to travel across the States for the major meetings.

The world-famous jockey turned 52 last week and intends to end his remarkable career at the same track in November by competing at the Breeders' Cup for one final time. Qipco British Champions Day is expected to be his last meeting in Britain at Ascot on October 21.


Read more on Frankie Dettori's decision to retire in 2023:

'I have to give up' – Frankie Dettori reveals bombshell retirement next year

John Gosden: 'Keeping such a huge talent mentally in the zone is the challenge' (£)

'I've never seen anyone better' - Stoute leads tributes to daring Dettori

Key dates and races for Frankie Dettori's final year in the saddle - and beyond

A rollercoaster life in the saddle: peaks and troughs of the legend's career

Which top horses and potential stars will Frankie Dettori be riding in 2023?

The remarkable facts and figures behind Frankie Dettori's record-breaking career


Sign up here. New customers only. First single & e/w bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 4 x £5 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.


Jack HaynesReporter

Published on 22 December 2022inBritain

Last updated 17:46, 22 December 2022

iconCopy