FRANKIE DETTORI did his best to fight back tears as he admitted 'it's hard not to cry' in this captivating interview.
The world's most famous jockey was overcome with emotion after winning a second straight Prix Jacques le Marois – and eighth overall – on Inspiral at Deauville on Sunday.
Dettori, 52, was superb in the saddle as the John Gosden-trained filly saw off 2-1 fav Big Rock by a little over a length to claim the race for the fourth straight year.
But, as he draws closer to his final ever race, Dettori was visibly moved while being interviewed afterwards.
Holding his throat and with a tremble in his voice, the Italian appeared way more emotional than when going out of his final Royal Ascot last June.
Those special five days included a Gold Cup win on Courage Mon Ami.
But there was nothing like the scenes in France as he spoke of how much the win on the four-year-old filly meant to him.
Dettori told Sky Sports Racing: "It's hard not to cry. I'm very happy. Amazing.
"It's the stuff of dreams to win your last one. You heard the public, fantastic.
"I've got a bit of a knot now, to be honest with you!"
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Dettori, who will rent out his Newmarket mansion for £15,000 a month when he retires, was also given a guard of honour by rival jockeys on what could be his final appearance at the French track.
Speaking of what it meant for his peers to honour him, he said: "I'm so emotional, I didn't expect that."
"Yves Saint-Martin (legendary French jockey) here too, one of my heroes. I didn't expect it.
"It probably takes the gloss away from Inspiral, she did all the hard work.
"But I couldn't write it. To win it, it's amazing."
Punters were absolutely loving the scenes – and how much a win of this stature still means to a jockey who's done it all.
One said: "What a really wonderful interview."
Another commented: "He will be so missed when he's gone."
While one post in reply to the video read: "I'm close to tears myself."
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