Gredley hoping to give Dettori a winning farewell with Hawkeye

Tim Gredley is dreaming of giving his great friend Frankie Dettori a fitting finish to the American segment of his decorated career when they link up at the Breeders’ Cup.

The Italian announced on Wednesday he was hanging up his boots Stateside at the conclusion of the Del Mar fixture, intending to end his time in the saddle with a “few rides” in South America, while also accepting an ambassadorial role with Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing.

It means the Gredley family-owned Wimbledon Hawkeye will play a central role in Dettori’s final night of action in the US, as he attempts to enhance his great record in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, a race he has won a joint-best five times, along with Ryan Moore, and most recently with the great Enable in 2018.

“I genuinely had no idea his retirement was in the pipeline and it gives added pressure to Hawkyeye on Saturday,” said Gredley.

“The man is a genius on a horse and a legend of the sport and to have him riding for us on the biggest stage is a privilege.

“I’m not just saying that because he’s a mate, but he can really make a difference between winning or losing and let’s hope he can go out with a bang on Saturday.”

Former neighbours during Dettori’s time in Newmarket, the retiring 54-year-old has already enjoyed many great days in a professional capacity adorned in the Gredley silks.

One of which came in Wimbledon Hawkeye’s recent start Stateside, when a memorable victory for the James Owen-trained colt in the Nashville Derby helped inspire Breeders’ Cup dreams.

“We’ve had plenty of good days together on the racecourse, he won on James Garfield for us (Mill Reef) and definitely that day with Wimbledon Hawkeye in Kentucky was very special,” continued Gredley.

“Frankie agrees the Turf is the right race for Wimbledon Hawkeye so let’s give it a try and sometimes these horses improve for the American style of racing as well.

“We’re going to hope a lot of things fall in place for us to be competitive, but he has travelled over here really well and that is always half the battle, getting them out here fit and healthy.”