World renowned jockey Frankie Dettori has announced he will ride at this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival, giving fans their chance to farewell him at Flemington before his retirement.

On the 30th anniversary of his first Melbourne Cup appearance, Dettori will compete at Flemington on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, Kennedy Oaks Day and TAB Champions Stakes Day.

Dettori is one of the world’s most accomplished jockeys, riding more than 250 Group 1 winners across the globe including nine Ascot Gold Cups and five Prix de l’Arc de Triomphes.

With a career spanning more than thirty-five years, the champion jockey is looking to make one last attempt to tick off his bucket list race – winning the Lexus Melbourne Cup.

“I have achieved all there is to achieve in horse racing and have had a fantastic career, but the Lexus Melbourne Cup has always been one race that I would love to win,” Dettori said.

“I am looking forward to returning to Melbourne to ride at the carnival for one final time and hopefully I can finish my career with a Melbourne Cup win.”

Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Chief Executive Officer Steve Rosich said the club was ecstatic to be welcoming Frankie to Flemington for the 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival.

“Frankie Dettori is one of the best jockeys and personalities the sport has ever seen and the VRC look forward to giving him a fitting farewell at Flemington at the Melbourne Cup Carnival,” Mr Rosich said.

“The Lexus Melbourne Cup is a race that jockeys across Australia and the world want to win, and this year will be no different. Preparations for this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival are well underway and racegoers can look forward to another week of world-class racing, hospitality and entertainment.”

Dettori had his first ride in the Melbourne Cup in 1993 aboard Drum Taps, the same year that international raider Vintage Crop made history becoming the first international horse to win the Cup. He has since had 17 attempts to try and win the feature and has come agonizingly close on three occasions – Central Park (2nd in 1999), Max Dynamite (2nd in 2015) and Master of Reality (2nd in 2019 but relegated to 4th).

The 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival will carry more than $30 million in prizemoney across four days of sensational racing. It begins on Saturday 4 November with Penfolds Victoria Derby Day, followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 7 November, Kennedy Oaks Day on Thursday 9 November, and concludes with TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 11 November. For more information and to purchase tickets visit vrc.com.au.

Frankie Dettori is an ambassador for insurance broker Howden who are helping him acknowledge his final competitive season before retiring at the end of 2023.

VRC