Star jockeys Oisin Murphy and Hollie Doyle paid tribute to outgoing rider Frankie Dettori by signing a giant retirement card at the Betfred St Leger meeting.
Dettori rides in his final UK Classic on Saturday, the Betfred St Leger Stakes, on board current favourite Arrest.
The 10-foot card was created by sponsors Betfred, who calculated that Dettori has cost the bookmaking industry as a whole over £400million in pay-outs across his previous 23 Classic victories.
Top jockey Hollie Doyle wrote: ‘Good luck in the future, thanks for the instruction.’ while three-time Champion Jockey Murphy added his name to the thousands of signatures for Dettori.
John Gosden, the trainer that Dettori rode his most memorable winners with, added his gratitude to the card, writing: “Keep truckin’, John Gosden.”
It comes after ex-Premier League referee Mike Dean paid tribute to legendary jockey Dettori, writing: “What a man. Good Luck. Mike Dean.”
The bookies will come in for another bashing on Saturday if Dettori romps home on Arrest, a 10/3shot in the St Leger, in the final Classic race of his glittering 35-year-career in the saddle.
The three-metre high (10ft) card also carries a personal message from Betfred owner Fred Done – who was almost brought to his knees back in 1996 when Dettori went through the card with seven winners at Ascot.
Situated just outside the weighing room, the retirement card will take centre stage and provide a fitting tribute to one of racing’s most popular stars.
Betfred boss Fred Done said: “Frankie has been fantastic for racing and will leave a big hole in the weighing room when he goes.
“The 23 Classic winners have cost us a few quid but it’s been a privilege to witness the career of a legend.
“As always he’s going to be popular with the punters in the Betfred St Leger, but I would be happy to pay out on another flying dismount.”
Betfred odds – St Leger Stakes
- 3/1 – Continuous
- 4/1 – Arrest
- 4/1 – Gregory
- 5/1 – Desert Hero
- 15/2 – Tower Of London
- 12/1 – Chesspiece
- 12/1 – Middle Earth
- 25/1 – Alexandroupolis
- 50/1 – Denmark
*Odds correct at time of posting – 8:30am Saturday 16th September*
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The feature race across the four days at Doncaster is the Group 1 St Leger Stakes on Saturday. The final classic of the flat season should be a cracking race, with some classy horses bidding to add their name to the illustrious list of recent St Leger winners, which includes: John & Thady Gosden’s Gregory…
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