Jockey Frankie Dettori has shocked the racing world after announcing that he will bring his riding career to an end in 2023.

The Italian has revealed his plans ahead of the 2023 Flat season as he prepares to bow out at the very top of the sport. 

Dettori, one of the most recognised and famous figures in racing, will begin his final season at Santa Anita on Boxing Day. He is then likely to retire at the same destination once the 2023 Breeders' Cup comes to a conclusion. 

Dettori feels the timing is right to walk away

The fan favourite turned 52 earlier this week, but even though he says his body is still up to the challenge, he claims he will walk away from the saddle next year. 

Dettori has ridden more than 3,300 British winners since making his debut in 1987, but he says he will bow out on top after sitting down and evaluating his options with his family. 

Confirming his plans to retire, Dettori said: "Next year, 2023, will be my final professional year as a jockey. It's something I've been thinking about for a while. 

"I'm riding on Boxing Day at Santa Anita, and I'm planning to spend around ten weeks in California. I'll make my way back via Dubai and Saudi Arabia, and then I guess I'll start the season in Newmarket. 

"It will be my last Guineas, my last Derby, my last Royal Ascot, and so on. I'll then probably finish in Britain on Champions Day or at Newmarket and then have my final farewell as a professional rider in California at the Breeders' Cup. Everything is pencilled in, but that's my plan. 

"I want to finish with all my best powers. I think at the moment I'm still good enough to compete with the best." 

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Ascot the highlight of Dettori's career

Dettori has won so many races he will struggle to remember the minor ones, but the fiery Italian will always be remembered for his achievements at Ascot in 1996. 

He has always been the centre of attention, and he deserved every ounce of it when he won all seven races at Ascot. 

Dettori's achievement is known as the Magnificent Seven, where the total odds for his seven winners totalled 25,051-1. 

He has continued to give fans some incredible memories, and they are fortunate that has happened, with Dettori lucky to survive a plane crash four years after his Ascot success. 

He has had to battle back from numerous setbacks, but Dettori has always backed himself to come up with the goods. 

The Milan-born rider was known for his partnership with Godolphin until 2012 when he left Sheikh Mohammed's team. 

When he left the Godolphin setup, many questioned if he would ever return to the top, but he has worked as first jockey to John Gosden since 2015. 

Dettori will be Gosden's main rider once again in 2023, even though their relationship strained a little earlier this year. 

His ability as a jockey has got the best out of the likes of Golden Horn, Enable and Stradivarius, and Dettori will be desperate to go out on top in 2023. 

What to expect from Dettori in 2023?

Dettori will no doubt be inundated with offers away from the saddle, but he will be eager to rack up as many winners as possible before he hangs up his saddle. 

He won Group 1 races for John and Thady Gosden on board Inspiral and Emily Upjohn earlier this year, and both stable stars will be among his high-profile mounts in 2023. 

Emily Upjohn is available at 16/1 to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, a race that Dettori won twice with Enable and once with Golden Horn.  

Dettori will go in search of his seventh success in the race, but Gosden and his team have yet to confirm their plans for their star three-year-old. 

He will also link back up with Chaldean, who won the Juddmonte Dewhurst Stakes, while he could also team back up with Commissioning. 

Whatever happens in the next 12 months, Dettori will be under the spotlight and no doubt thriving. 

His record suggests he will rise to the challenge once again, and with his career coming to an end, who knows what the Italian could do in his final season in the saddle.