Frankie Dettori seeks fairytale ending in Dubai with record fifth win in Saturday’s $12m World Cup

Frankie Dettori says he feels no stress as he bids to log off his Dubai racing profession in fashion by posting a document fifth win in Saturday’s $12million World Cup at Meydan racecourse.

Dettori, who has loved a profitable winter in southern California using at Santa Anita, is on board Nation Grammer, his Bob Baffert-trained 2022 World Cup winner as he takes in what’s successfully one other leg of his worldwide farewell tour in his last 12 months within the saddle.

Dettori’s lengthy affiliation with Sheik Mohammed’s Godolphin means Dubai has performed a serious half within the 52-year-old’s profession.

The Italian rode within the first World Cup, in 1996, when he was unplaced on Saeed Bin Suroor-trained Halling.

Dettori has six different rides on the assembly, together with John and Thady Gosden-trained Lord North within the Dubai Turf, a race the gelding received in 2021 and dead-heated for first in final 12 months.

Frankie Dettori feels no stress as he bids to log off his Dubai racing profession in fashion

Dettori mentioned: ‘I labored for Godolphin for 18 years and spent many winters with my household right here. My children grew up right here so it at all times feels emotional and particular. That is no completely different. It’s my final World Cup assembly. I journey two horses who’ve received right here so there may be additional stress however I’m trying ahead to it.

‘I’m not simply pondering of my farewell. I’m simply pondering of the duty forward and doing effectively.’

Dettori’s three different World Cup wins got here on Moon Ballad (2003) and Electrocutionist (2006), but it surely was his first on the good Dubai Millennium (2000) — a jaw-dropping six-length win — which made the largest impression.

He mentioned: ‘Dubai Millennium was in all probability the perfect horse I’ve ridden. He was my first winner and it was additionally in millennium 12 months so it was particular.’

Dettori concedes when he cut up from Godolphin he thought his Dubai World Cup-winning days had been over.

Nation Grammer comes into the race on the again of a second place in final month’s furlong shorter Saudi Cup behind Panthalassa, who he faces once more.

Nation Grammer completed strongly that day, so the longer distance will probably be in his favour, however each colts must overcome tough huge attracts.

Dettori, who lies third on this 12 months’s Santa Anita jockey standings with 21 wins from 121 rides and greater than $1.6m in prize cash, mentioned: ‘I used to be outpaced across the house flip within the Saudi Cup. I assumed I used to be in hassle however he doesn’t understand how to surrender.’

Panthalassa is one among eight Japanese runners within the race however the rival which can supply the largest menace to Dettori is Algiers, co-trained by Simon Crisford.

Dettori and Crisford had been on the identical aspect when the latter labored as racing supervisor for Godolphin.

Now coaching in Newmarket with son Ed, Crisford has ready Algiers to simply win his two races this 12 months on Meydan’s Grime monitor.

Dettori celebrated his first World Cup win on the good Dubai Millennium in 2000

He mentioned: ‘Algiers loves the Meydan monitor and it has made a giant distinction to him. He has to again up his final two runs with an analogous efficiency however is coaching effectively.’

The one comfort for Dettori is that James Doyle-ridden Algiers additionally has a large draw.

Britain is strongly represented on the World Cup undercard.

George Boughey-trained Al Dasim heads the problem within the six furlong Al Quoz dash, whereas the Gosden-trained Mostahdaf and Ralph Beckett-trained Westover run within the 1m 4f Sheema Traditional.