Frankie Dettori dropped a retirement hint as he watched some of his former colleagues return for one more race.
Racing's most famous jockey was at Doncaster where ex-professional riders were called up for a special annual charity event.
Six-times Flat champion Kieren Fallon and Seb Sanders, sportsmen Dettori competed against, were in the line-up for the Ubettabelieveit Leger Legends Classified Stakes. Both of them were out of luck as victory went to Sammy Jo Bell, who announced her retirement from the saddle in 2018 at the age of 27.
She passed the post a length and a quarter ahead on Absolute Dream (11-1), chased by Dougies Dream, the mount of Adrian Nicholls. Sanders, back in third on 33-1 outsider Night Bear, was in good spirits ahead of the mile event.
He spoke to all-time great Dettori, the winner of more than 500 Group races, in the parade ring just moments before taking his horse down to the start. The contest raised important funds for the National Horseracing College and the Injured Jockeys Fund’s Jack Berry House.
Asked on Sky Sports Racing about his jovial conversation with Sanders, Dettori said: "I said to him to enjoy it. It's brilliant what the guys are doing. For me it is bringing back some great memories. I have had a fantastic time with all these jockeys riding against them. And the great thing I saw today, they all had a smile on their face. It's all for a good cause, absolutely brilliant."
Dettori, who has had a turbulent season which included a brief split with trainer John Gosden, then hinted it would not be long before he packs away his saddle.
"I'm also looking at the competition because I'll be doing this very soon!" he said.
Dettori and Gosden temporarily parted ways in the aftermath of some high profile defeats at Royal Ascot, where Stradivarius was racing for a fourth title. The racing professionals reunited and last month teamed up to scoop the UK's richest handicap, the Sky Bet Ebor, with Trawlerman.
Dettori has been entertaining racing fans for 35 years, riding more than 3,000 winners in Britain as well as achieving success in 24 countries. He has a record six triumphs in France's end of season highlight, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, on his CV, two in partnership with ex-Gosden star Enable.
But he suffered a setback in recent days while giving last year's hero Torquator Tasso his final prep run. Dettori was handed a 14-day ban for overuse of the whip during the colt's surprise loss at Baden-Baden in Germany.
It kicks in on Sunday, although it will have just ended by the time of the big race in Paris.
Torquator Tasso, trained by Marcel Weiss, could face champion Baaeed, should William Haggas opt to take in the end of season spectacular.
