Frankie Dettori set for final rides of his career on last leg of farewell tour in Brazil on Sunday

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Frankie Dettori is preparing to bring the curtain down on one of the most decorated careers in the history of the sport when he completes the final leg of his farewell tour with four rides in Brazil on Sunday.

Few jockeys have influenced racing in the way Dettori has and the 55-year-old will bid goodbye to the saddle this week before stepping away from race-riding for good.

Dettori announced his retirement plans at last year's Breeders' Cup at Del Mar, stating at the time that concluding his career in South America is "something I've always wanted to do."

Once his final commitments in Brazil are complete, Dettori will take up a new role as global brand ambassador to Amo Racing.

Where has the farewell tour taken Dettori?

His South American farewell began in Argentina, where he marked the opening leg of the tour with victory at San Isidro racecourse in Buenos Aires.

Having said beforehand that he "wanted to put on a good show", Dettori duly delivered by landing a mile handicap aboard 5-4 favourite Grand Candyman and treated racegoers to his trademark flying dismount.

The showman returned to centre stage this month in Uruguay, delighting a bumper crowd at Maronas racecourse in Montevideo when Soy Poronguero, trained by Roberto Solanes, made all under Dettori before another flying dismount.

Before he arrived in Uruguay, local racing personality Hector Garcia said: "His presence will definitely have an effect on people deciding to go to Maronas. It’s like Messi or Ronaldo coming to play football in Uruguay." 

The final stop

Dettori previously suggested the Chilean Derby would be his final ride but he announced a change of plans and now ends his extraordinary career at Gavea racecourse in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.

The scale of the jockey's importance is underlined by the Brazilian Jockey Club's decision to bring forward a selection of races from February 7 to this week.

Among them is the first leg of the Brazilian Triple Crown, the Grande Premio Estado do Rio de Janeiro, while the other Group 1 on the card is the Grande Premio Henrique Possolo.

Dettori is set to take four rides at the meeting and is expected to be involved in both Group 1 contests. His mounts have yet to be confirmed.

What we know about Gavea racecourse

Gavea: Brazil's most celebrated racecourse, sits in the shadow of Christ the Redeemer Credit: Unknown

Gavea is Brazil's most famous racecourse, located in Rio de Janeiro and home of the Jockey Club Brasileiro since 1926. Set against the backdrop of Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer, it is one of the most visually striking racing venues in the world and remains the centre of top-level Flat action in the country.

Racing takes place on a left-handed turf track with a home straight of around 600 metres (three furlongs). Gavea stages some of Brazil’s biggest races, headed by the Grande Premio Brasil.

Read more:

Watch: Frankie Dettori rides his first winner in Uruguay on second leg of farewell tour 

Frankie Dettori unable to pay £765,000 tax debt following liquidation of legendary jockey's companies 

‘The passion is here’ - Frankie Dettori ready for Uruguay as his farewell tour continues on Tuesday 

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