( CNN ) -- Racing legend Frankie Dettori will work as a freelance jockey in 2013 , ending an 18-year spell with the Dubai-owned Godolphin stable . The Italian will not be directly employed by Godolphin , owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , but will continue to race for the stable . `` We have had a tremendous association with Frankie over many years , '' Godolphin 's racing manager Simon Crisford said in a statement . `` He has achieved so much on behalf of Godolphin and has made the difference between winning and losing on so many occasions in the world 's biggest races . `` However , Frankie is looking for a fresh challenge and we felt that the retainer was not really working so this is the best way forward . We have had many great days together and we look forward to working with Frankie in the future and hopefully enjoying more success together . `` He remains a great friend -- the difference next year will be that he will not be our retained jockey and will operate as a freelance instead . '' Dettori has ridden 110 Group or Grade One winners for Godolphin since claiming the stable 's first Classic on Balanchine in 1994 . `` I have had 18 wonderful years , '' said the 41-year-old Dettori as he looked back on his time in the royal blue silks . `` Godolphin has been a major part of everything I have achieved in racing and I have loved every minute of it . `` I feel the time has come for a change . My position in the stable has changed a little bit and I need a new challenge . `` Sheikh Mohammed has been an unbelievable boss to me . He had the confidence to take me on board when I was young and we smashed every record together . I will be forever grateful to him for everything he has done for me and for my family . '' Arguably Dettori is most famous for riding seven different winners in one day at British racecourse Ascot in September 1996 . Godolphin will retain French jockey Mickael Barzalona and Brazil 's Silvestre de Sousa for next year .
Jockey Frankie Dettori leaves Goldolphin stable after 18 years . The Italian could continue to race for the stable on a freelance basis . Godolphin owned by Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum . 11/30/2007 02:05 PM By Richard Lewis, Special Correspondent