Frankie Dettori, a Farewell for the Ages: A Historic Tour Across South America

The outstanding Italian jockey is expected to arrive in Buenos Aires on Monday to take part in the Carlos Pellegrinifestivities; his South American tour would then continue in Montevideo, Uruguay, for the Ramírez, before wrapping up at Gávea in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in early February

Frankie Dettori Eager Ahead of His South American Visit / ASCOT

By Diego H. Mitagstein

The living legend of world racing will receive the farewell he always envisioned. Frankie Dettori, the most influential jockey of the past several decades, will embark in December on an unforgettable South American tour that includes appearances at three of the region’s most iconic racecourses: San Isidro, Maroñas, and Gávea. It is an itinerary that seemed impossible only months ago, now materialized thanks to a remarkable joint effort between multiple institutions.

It will mark Dettori’s second visit to the continent, following his memorable 2008 appearance at the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, when he rode in the Gran Premio Nacional (G1) and Gran Premio Selección (G1). This time, however, the significance is entirely different: it will be his final tour before retirement.

The plan came together through coordinated work between the Jockey Club Argentino, the Hipódromo Nacional de Maroñas, and the Jockey Club Brasileiro, which joined forces to secure dates, logistics, mounts, protocols, and the necessary investments. Global Media Turf served as a direct intermediary, helping bring the parties together, facilitate negotiations, and structure the travel calendar.

All three institutions immediately grasped the magnitude of what was unfolding—an unprecedented opportunity to offer South American racing global visibility and international resonance. Their swift response followed Dettori’s expression of interest during the Breeders’ Cup, where he first stated his desire to stage a farewell tour in the region.

On Dec. 13, at San Isidro, Dettori will take part in the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1), South America’s most important race. It will be his first-ever ride in the Pellegrini and his debut at the venue—a perfect stage for his style, a track graced by generations of champion jockeys and countless Argentine racing icons.

Then, on Jan. 6, Uruguayan fans will have their turn at Maroñas, during the traditional Gran Premio José Pedro Ramírez (G1). It will also mark Dettori’s first-ever appearance in Uruguay.

Finally, in early February (Feb. 2–3), the jockey will arrive at Gávea, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for a celebration in his honor—one designed to make him feel like royalty. It will be a magical setting beneath the Christ the Redeemer statue to close out an irreplaceable career.

The impact of his presence goes far beyond sport. He is the most popular and media-driven jockey of the modern era—a global ambassador who transformed the way racing is communicated and consumed.

Few athletes in any discipline boast a résumé like his: over 330 Group/Grade 1 victories worldwide, including his legendary seven-win day at Ascot in 1996, a moment that changed his life forever. He has also won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe six times, captured 15 Breeders’ Cup races, collected eight English Guineas (G1), and added four Dubai World Cups (G1)—a list that spans every major racing jurisdiction on the planet: Europe, the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Australia.

Dettori represents more than success—he is charisma, magnetism, and a multi-generational phenomenon. Throughout his career, his presence boosted audiences, filled grandstands, captivated new fans, and elevated every racecourse he visited.

His farewell tour in South America carries a powerful symbolic weight: it is both an acknowledgment of the region’s racing quality and a gesture of gratitude toward its fans—a gesture initiated by Dettori himself.

For San Isidro, Maroñas, and Gávea, the tour represents a once-in-a-lifetime chance to showcase their racing to the world. For South American racing, it is an opportunity to bid farewell—in person—to one of the sport’s true giants, a figure permanently woven into global sporting culture.

The coordinated effort between the Jockey Club Argentino, Maroñas, and the Jockey Club Brasileiro demonstrates that when major institutions unite behind a shared goal, South American racing can achieve milestones typically reserved for the Northern Hemisphere’s superpowers.

“I have the best memories of my previous visit, and for a long time people have been asking me to come ride in South America, but my commitments never allowed it. Now felt like the right moment to give back that affection with a farewell tour, and the fact that we are about to make it happen means the world to me. I’m excited to be there, to give the public my very best, and to thank them for all the love they’ve shown me over the years,” Dettori told Turf Diario, visibly thrilled ahead of what will be his final great dance.