Jockey Frankie Dettori’s message to Hugh Bowman ahead of The Magic Millions

The world’s best jockey has thrown down the gauntlet to Aussie jockey High Bowman to beat him on The Magic Millions track and at polo — despite never having played the sport.

• Girl power goes Global with huge windfall
• Surreal thing: Hugh still feels the love for Winx

EXCLUSIVE: The world’s best jockey Frankie Dettori is coming to Australia and has thrown down the gauntlet to Aussie star Hugh Bowman to beat him on the track and at polo.

Dettori is riding high after three stunning group one wins at Ascot and Goodwood last week and told The Daily Telegraph: “Hugh Bowman I am coming for you.”

The Italian-born horseman will captain the Ferrari team at The Magic Millions on The Gold Coast in January against a team captained by Bowman.

“I have never played polo but my brother-in-law plays polo so I will have some lessons,” he said confidently.

Frankie Dettori is set to come to Australia for the Magic Millions in January. Picture: Supplied

MORE NEWS

Tragic story behind Dami Im’s new song

Revealed: Shock failures from 61 NSW aged care homes

Chris Smith reveals new gig after being dumped by 2GB

But he also plans to tackle Australia’s top jockey on the track in the $2 million race for two-year-olds. “If someone will give me a ride then I will be happy to race,” he said.

Dettori, 48, joins a stellar-cast jetting into Australia in January for the polo with Argentinian star Nacho Figueras and the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Tindall among those joining NRL legend Billy Slater on the field.

Dettori will join Argentinian polo star Nacho Figueras, royal Zara Tindall and NRL legend Billy Slater for The Magic Millions. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The announcement comes as Dettori secured two group wins at the Goodwood Festival including one on Stradivarius, which might be coming out for the Melbourne Cup.

That followed a nailbiting win on Enable at Ascot in her final season.

“Enable is an incredible horse, a once in a lifetime horse much like Winx has been for Hugh Bowman,” he said.

Magic Millions co-owner Katie Page was in Gatcombe on Sunday and said signing the flamboyant Dettori would ensure the event on the Gold Coast would “go off”.

He has thrown the challenge to Aussie Hugh Bowman. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

Bowman is one of the most successful jockeys in the country.

“He has had the most unbelievable success in the UK and when he saw what we were doing in Australia he just wanted to be a part of it,” she said.

Ms Page was sponsoring the Gatcombe Horse Trials, which is held in the grounds of Princess Anne’s Cotwold’s home, to further promote the involvement of women in racing.

Matthew Benns travelled to Gatcombe as a guest of Magic Millions.