Frankie Dettori Set for UK Return in St Leger Legends Race

Frankie Dettori is set for yet another return to the saddle, with the legendary jockey preparing for a one-off appearance at Doncaster in September.

Dettori, who officially brought down the curtain on his riding career with a memorable double in Brazil in February, will take part in the Betfred Leger Legends race at this year’s St Leger meeting. It will be his first ride in Britain since 2023.

The 55-year-old had initially planned to retire at the end of that season before extending his career with a spell in the United States, ultimately signing off at Gavea racecourse in Rio de Janeiro earlier this year.

The Leger Legends contest is a mile handicap run exclusively for former professional jockeys. This year it has been moved to the ITV-televised Friday of the St Leger Festival on September 11^th 2026.

Andrew Thornton, who sits on the race committee and helps organise the riders, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have Frankie. He’s huge box office and his presence will be an enormous help in raising the profile of the race.”

Thornton, a former Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning rider, added: “Like every jockey and all racing fans, I can still remember where I was when Frankie rode his ‘Magnificent Seven’.

“I was in the old weighing room at Worcester, where they were showing the TV coverage from Ascot. We were like kids in a sweetshop watching it and screaming like nine-year-olds!”

First staged in 2010, the Legends race has previously featured some of the sport’s biggest names, and Thornton believes Dettori now follows in similarly elite company.

“Frankie follows greats like Mick Kinane and AP McCoy. They both won it, so he’s under a bit of pressure to emulate them – not that he’s ever felt pressure!” he said.

“Frankie was more than happy to help out the Injured Jockeys Fund, because he totally understands where all the money is going to. The IJF has been there for all of us; we’ve all needed its help over the years, and that of John Oaksey House, Jack Berry House and Peter O’Sullevan House.”

Dettori has an outstanding record at Doncaster, having ridden more than 150 winners there and claimed the St Leger itself on six occasions.

The race will also welcome a number of familiar names, with Thornton highlighting the inclusion of Jamie Hamblett, formerly an apprentice jockey and now best known as an X Factor semi-finalist and member of Union J.

“He brings a whole new demographic, having gone from being an apprentice to where he is now,” said Thornton. “He’s got a massive following.”

Another notable addition is Kevin Mooney, the 71-year-old former rider who famously won the Whitbread Gold Cup aboard Special Cargo for the Queen Mother in 1984.

“He was a legend jumping-wise and it’s great to have him,” Thornton said. “He’s not a young man, but he rides out two lots a day for Nicky Henderson.”

Other former jockeys set to take part include Jimmy Quinn, Adam Kirby, Franny Norton, Sammy Jo Bell, Gary Bardwell, Niall Madden, Megan Nicholls, Gay Kelleway, Richard Patrick, Tom Scudamore and Adrian Nicholls.