Mural tribute to legendary jockey Frankie Dettori at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile racecourse

Racegoers heading to Newmarket’s Rowley Mile racecourse today for the first meeting of its autumn season will see one of two tributes planned by racing’s HQ to mark the retirement of jockey Frankie Dettori.

The third in a series of four murals by leading street artists MurWalls, who have also created artwork at Epsom and Sandown racecourses, the mural overlooking the finishing line at the historic Newmarket course, depicts Frankie’s 2011 win on Blue Bunting in the 1,000 Guineas.

The final instalment will be created live during the two days of the Dubai Future Champions’ Festival at the Rowley Mile on October 13 and 14.

Sophie Able, Newmarket Racecourses director, said: “We are delighted to mark this momentous occasion by adding a permanent tribute to Frankie at his home racecourse.”

Frankie, who is 52, announced at the end of last year that 2023 would be his last season in the saddle, bringing to a close a remarkable career which has spanned almost 40 years.

And he has enjoyed some of his most memorable moments at Newmarket over the years, including this year’s QIPCO 2000 Guineas on Chaldean.

Newmarket has been Dettori’s home since he arrived as a teenager from Italy to start his apprenticeship with trainer Luca Cumani. Since then Newmarket’s Rowley Mile and July racecourses have seen him ride the winners of nearly 500 races, 19 of them Group 1 wins.