Arguably one of the most famous jockeys in the world, Frankie Dettori could decide to delay his retirement from the sport, if it provides him with the opportunity to compete against his son Rocco in the saddle.
The 48-year-old's glittering career has spanned three decades, featuring big race wins in most countries such as France, America, Hong Kong and the UAE.
In Britain, his portfolio entices a host of big-race victories including two Derby's, five Ascot Gold Cup's, Juddmonte's and King George's.
The Italian admits he was not keen for the youngster to pursue a career in the saddle, but does have a burning ambition now young Rocco has declared his preferred career choice.
It was also something the Milan-born rider and now father of five got to realise himself against his own Classic-winning father, Gianfranco, before his respective retirement late in the 20th century.
(Credit: Racing Post) Dettori said: “I rode with my dad and it was an amazing experience and I’m very proud that I did it. If Rocco wants to do it it’s an amazing ambition of mine to be able to ride with him. He can tell his children that we did it.
“Obviously as a parent I really don’t want him to do it but as a sportsman or as a way of life, if you love it then it’s really amazing. He seems to have the right physique and if he wants to pursue this sport I’m going to try to help him."
"He’s only 14. I didn’t want him to do it [as] it’s a job that has sacrifices and ridiculous hours. At the moment he seems very keen but when you’re a teenager you can change from week to week."
The news of his own future in the saddle comes quite fittingly, given where we are in the calendar year.
This weekend's Investec Derby festival at Epsom marks twenty-five years since the first of Dettori's seventeen British Classic victories, after Balanchine won the 1994 Oaks.
His two Derby victories came aboard Authorized in 2007 and of course Golden Horn now four years ago, and the Italian revealed which winner gave him the most joy in the turf's 'Blue Riband' event.
He said: “In my 32 years as a professional, the win on Golden Horn was probably the most emotional moment I’d felt in my life when he hit the front and I knew I was going to win.
"To a point that I didn’t feel my body, it felt like jelly, like someone had taken the power out of my muscles.
“It was incredible for many reasons. I was 44, I’d been through some bad times. The kids were old enough to understand. I remember they had made banners for me when I left the house.
“In all the big races I’ve won, that was probably the most emotional I’d felt.”
Dettori has a great record in the Surrey Classic, and will ride Circus Maximus for trainer Aidan O'Brien, winner of the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester earlier this month.