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It has been a thrilling, glorious and at times bumpy ride, but this time, it seems the famed jockey's decision is final. The most storied rider of the past 40 years is set to enter retirement following the primary events during the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar this Saturday, where he has three opportunities to add a farewell top-tier victory to his almost 300 already in his record. Racing may not witness a career quite like it again.

A Household Name

Alongside racing great Lester Piggott and perhaps John McCririck in the last half-century, “Frankie” is recognized by pretty much everyone, no surname required. The public knows his identity, even if they possess absolutely no interest in what he does. In today's world that has been fragmented by social media and online networks, Dettori could be the last racing figure that will ever enjoy such instant brand recognition across a broad swathe of Britain's people.

Dettori’s lifetime in horse racing, after all, goes back to a time when A Question Of Sport regularly pulled in more than 10 million audience members, and a three-year stint as a team leader was sufficient to establish him as the bubbly, irrepressible face of the sport. His last year on the program came in 2004, which was also the year when he secured the top jockey award for the third and last occasion. As far as many in the UK, however, he has probably been the champion in most years since.

A Hard-Won Celebrity

It is, in many ways, a hard-earned fame, a mixed blessing for incidents both on and off the racecourse which have often pushed Dettori onto the front pages, since the unforgettable afternoon at Ascot in 1996 when he overcame odds of 25,000-1 to win all seven races on the card.

Back in June 2000, he was pulled from a fiery crash of a light aircraft by his fellow rider, Ray Cochrane, following an accident on takeoff where the pilot lost his life. When at last ended his quest for a Derby winner in 2007, that also became headline news.

And if everyone loves a winner, they often love an imperfect hero and a comeback all the more. A half-year suspension following a positive drug test for cocaine would have been the end of many riders in their forties, more than enough time for trainers and owners to find a younger alternative. For Dettori, however, his 2012 suspension served as a bridge to a revived partnership with trainer John Gosden at Newmarket, and a new series of champions and Classic winners, such as Enable, Golden Horn and Stradivarius.

Public Highs and Lows

The celebrated successes and setbacks have been a crucial element of Dettori’s story, right up until the embarrassing confession this past March that he filed for bankruptcy after a prolonged dispute with tax authorities over unpaid taxes, a situation that Dettori tried, and failed, to keep confidential.

There have been numerous turns in his story, indeed, that it's easy to overlook that absent Dettori’s immense, generational talent, there would be no story at all.

Early Talent and Instincts

It was evident from the start as a young apprentice that there was a natural connection with the horses whenever Dettori was on board.

Steeds performed for him, and improved for him. In 1990, he became the first teen since Lester Piggott to reach 100 winners in a season, and also marked his emergence among the elite with two Group One wins at Ascot, on the same card that he would dominate through unbeaten just six years later. His iconic flying dismount, adopted from the US legend Angel Cordero Jr, was incorporated into Dettori’s repertoire in 1994, and the thrill from riding a big-race winner has never left him. Nor has the gift of sensing, with something akin to foresight, where to position, when to make a move and where the gaps will appear.

What Comes Next?

But what now for the recognizable figure of UK horse racing? It will not be easy to finally let go, whether or not Dettori pursues his apparent desire to accept some mounts in South America, something that he always wanted to experience”. This is not, after all, a goal that he had mentioned previously.

But the calamitous decision to follow tax guidance that led to his dispute with HMRC indicates that he will not draw down the curtain with enough money in the bank to kick back and take it easy.

New Role and Opportunities

He has been confirmed in a new role as an international ambassador with the football super-agent Kia Joorabchian's growing Amo Racing operation. He explained to racing presenter Matt Chapman on Friday this was the main reason for his departure now, as well as being able to finish at the Breeders’ Cup. “Such chances are rare, very often. I like the set-up – it's a youthful team with big ambitions,” explained the jockey.

Joorabchian personally, was effusive in his compliments for his new recruit at Del Mar on Thursday. “He’s an icon, he is a true legend in the sport,” Joorabchian said. “When discussing elite athletes such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Messis and Pelé and people like that, Frankie is that for horse racing. When you go into Royal Ascot, you see a statue there, you realize that he’s made a big impact countless lives worldwide.

“He’s not here|“He isn't here} to amuse audiences, he’s here to actually work and he will working with us closely. He will participate in all aspects of our business though he won't serve as a racing manager. He is an international ambassador.”

Reality TV are another option, though previous appearances on Big Brother and I'm A Celebrity often showed a moodier side to Dettori’s character, behind the ebullient public persona. In both programs, he was an early casualty due to viewer votes.

It may be that Dettori personally does not really know what he'll do and how to spend his time after his race-riding days ends. And for another one more day, he stays a top-level professional jockey, concentrating on three mounts at one of the globe's prestigious and glamorous events in the calendar.

One Last Mount

A five-year-old filly called Argine will be his last top-level ride in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, the same race where he achieved his initial Breeders’ Cup win back in 1994. Her form at home in Japan suggests that she has something to improve to compete, but few riders in history have ever risen to an occasion like Frankie Dettori.

One last time, is it time for Frankie?