Frankie Dettori said he was “too tired to cry” after his love affair with Royal Ascot reached its end on Saturday.
The 52-year-old jockey rode at the world-famous meeting for the final time as he is set to retire at the end of the year.
After a bumpy first day in which he rode three seconds and was punished with a nine-day riding ban, which he is to appeal, he finished the meeting with four victories including a ninth Gold Cup success.
He ended the five days with 81 wins to retire as the most successful active jockey at Royal Ascot, a tally which Ryan Moore, with 79 wins, will almost certainly overtake.
Dettori’s final day began with lunch with the King and Queen at Windsor Castle followed by a ride in one of the carriages in the Royal procession up the Ascot straight in front of the packed stands.
“The Royal procession was amazing, to see all the people there,” he said..”Then I rode five races back-to-back.
“I’m too tired to cry, but I am a bit sad. It’s been a very good Royal Ascot. I finished in [almost] last place [in my last race], but we did really well throughout the week, I’ve loved it, and the crowd has been really good.”
On a favourite moment over the years, he said: “81 [winners] and everyone is special. I would be here all day talking about all of them, but obviously, the last Gold Cup was the biggest race of the week and to win that was amazing.”
He added: “It will take a while to sink in, but I’ve had a great 35 years and you’ve got to look at the positive side of it – I’ve had a real good time.”
He described riding in the royal carriage as “one of the best things I have ever done”.
"To watch the crowds from the procession, and the cheers for the King and Queen throughout, the whole way from Windsor Castle was incredible,” he said.
“The love people have for the Royals, children with flags and banners - it is amazing. I was told not to wave when in the procession, which I found really, really hard.
He added: "I'm pleased that I finished ahead of Ryan Moore [with more career Royal Ascot winners] because next year he will pass me. At the moment I'm second behind Lester Piggott and that is an honour.
"I've been so busy this week, and that's been good because it kept my mind off sulking too much or getting too emotional. Five days has gone like a flash, but I have another four months of riding. Breeders' Cup, America, Hong Kong and Melbourne Cup after the Breeders' Cup.
"I would say my Royal Ascot highlight was when I won the first four races in 2019. I thought the grandstand was going to come down.
"It's funny when I walked into the room [weighing room] today I thought I was 16 again. When we are in there it's like a timeless place - you never feel old.
“Ascot has been a lucky place for me - I've ridden some wonderful horses for great owners and trainers. I've been very lucky.
"It was probably a good thing that I didn't win on my final ride because I don't think I would have handled all the razzmatazz.”
