FRANKIE DETTORI has revealed what drives his fierce ambition to stay at the top of racing’s tree — his kids.

As Godolphin endure a dreadful season by their lofty standards their retained jockey has banished any thought of retirement.

Dad-of-five Dettori, 37, said: “I want to keep riding so that my children can be old enough to see me in action.

“It meant so much to me to see my father win big races.”

Gianfranco Dettori plundered a few big prizes in England including the 2,000 Guineas (twice) and the Eclipse. Today his son could be forgiven for singing the blues as he pulls on Godolphin’s famous silks.

Sheikh Mohammed’s organisation trail their biggest rivals at Ballydoyle in the Group 1 victories stakes by 18-1.

Devoted family man Dettori is a more philosophical beast than the young Italian firebrand who first graced these shore with his phenomenal talent 20 years ago.

Much of that is down to a horrible accident. In June 2000, Dettori escaped with his life when his light aeroplane crashed at Newmarket killing pilot Patrick Mackey. Only the heroic action of his now agent Ray Cochrane saved his life.

Never again would Dettori ride in a light aircraft in the frantic pursuit of winners.

Dettori reflected: “It made me realise If I never win another race it doesn’t matter. I've got my life and I have got so much to look forward to.”

Dettori misses the limelight as racing’s greatest ever showman.

He has one last Classic chance to return to big race glory before the Flat season ends.

Next Saturday at Doncaster he teams up with Campanologist in the Ladbrokes St Leger in a bid to end his Classic hoodoo.

It’s six years since he won his last Classic in Godolphin’s blue silks - Kazzia in the 2002 Oaks.

Dettori told me: “Campanologist’s form is rock solid. There’s a worry about the distance. But all the other horses face the same problem.

“He ran a blinder to win the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot when I was able to dictate from the front.

“Since then he has run a good fourth in the Eclipse and was second to Pipedreamer in the York Stakes. We have had a lot of rain recently and I have yet to ride Campanologist on soft ground.

“I would warn punters to check next Monday’s declaration stage to make sure he runs — the forecast is appalling.

“But the Leger has been a lucky race for me, I have won it four times on Classic Cliche (1995), Shantou (1996), Scorpion (2005) and Sixties Icon (2006). It would certainly be nice to win it again after a hard year.”

Godolphin have had more than their fair share of bad luck with injuries but Dettori added: "I have a pet saying ‘there's always next year’ and that's the way we have to reflect on this season.

“Maybe the Breeders’ Cup will be our salvation. Let us get the St Leger and the Arc out of the way first.”

Dettori has so often been the toast of marauding ‘Brits’ in the Bois de Bologne after wins in the Arc de Triomphe on Lammtarra (1995), Sakhee (2001) and Marienbard (2003).

With no Godolphin Arc runner, Dettori, 45 winners this term, teams up with Andre Fabre-trained Getaway on October 5.

Dettori said: “Getaway gave me a great feel when we won the Grand Prix de Deauville on Sunday. He is a big striding horse and I was confident once he reached top gear. The Aga Khan’s unbeaten filly Zarkava is the one we have to beat but if the heavens open then Getaway has a great chance.”

In March, Godolphin’s hopes were as high as the magnificent Burj Dubai - the 160 floor skyscraper which overshadows the boys in blue’s winter quarters.

Literato looked magnificent. Ramonti was being hailed as a superstar and the three-year-olds Fast Company, Ibn Khaldun, McCartney, Rio De La Plata and Calming Influence were touted as possible Classic winners.

Ibn Khaldun was a big 2,000 Guineas fancy but Dettori was the very first jockey in trouble and he could only finish 10th behind Henrythenavigator, the first round to Aidan O'Brien.

The only ray of Group 1 sunshine for Godolphin came when Creachadoir won the Lockinge at Newbury before joining the long injury list with a fractured foot.

The fact Kerrin McEvoy has returned to his native Australia means Dettori will be in the driving seat in Britain for a while.

Whatever the future holds, Dettori’s Magnificent Seven at Ascot in September 1996 is firmly etched into racing folklore and will never be forgotten.

His 25,095-1 seven-timer created history and cost bookies £40million. Some went to Ascot, suffered crippling losses . . . and have never been seen since.

Dettori finally ended his Derby jinx on Peter Chapple-Hyam’s Authorised last year.

Once his trademark flying dismounts were reserved for Group 1 races but that has been scaled down and even his first winner a Great Leighs got the acrobatic treatment.

The BHA’s decision this week to hold an official inquiry into the team tactics of the Ballydoyle camp when Duke of Marmalade won the International at Newmarket proves that Dettori was RIGHT to question similar tactics after the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in 2006.

Dettori objected after Godolphin’s Librettist trailed in sixth. He claimed he had been carried wide by Seamus Heffernan on their pacemaker Ivan Denisovich, while stablemate George Washington streaked to victory.

John Magnier banned Dettori from riding for Aidan O’Brien, even though he had won the St Leger on their Scorpion a year before. But Dettori is becoming quite a diplomat and over the latest team tactics furore he would only say: “No comment.”

On Wednesday Dettori rode a Lingfield winner and dashed to Stamford Bridge to open the sixth Frankie restaurant with famed chef Marco Pierre White.

Dettori beamed: “Even as a big Arsenal fan I don’t mind lending my name to Chelsea for our latest venture. It’s very exciting.”

Next on the menu for our Frankie is the St Leger and Arc — both mouthwatering prospects.