Frankie Dettori bowed out of Britain yesterday with a 28 to 1 Lingfield double courtesy of Bartholemew and Byzantium.

Dettori is off to the Far East today to ride Faithful Son in the Japan Cup.

After scoring on the Joe Naughton-trained Bartholemew, who led over a furlong out in the nursery to beat Polly Mills a length and three quarters, the Italian followed up with Byzantium, for Lord Huntingdon, who hit the front a quarter of a mile from home to win by two and a half lengths from Waasef.

On dismounting from Byzantium, Dettori said: "That's the end for this year. I only stayed on to say goodbye with a winner for William (Lord Huntingdon) who is retiring."

Huntingdon, for whom Dettori rode a brace of Ascot Gold Cups on Drum Taps, paid a handsome tribute to the jockey, and defended him after the flak he received for his ride on Swain at the Breeders' Cup.

"When he's on form he is spectacular," said the peer. "Some time off since the Breeders' has done him the world of good.

"Asking him to ride in Melbourne and also in America, plus all his other media commitments, was too much for anyone. He couldn't be on top form all the time.

"He has ridden some wonderful races for me and I am sad that it is all over now. I should have my last runner on January 10th before finally packing up."

Francis Norton put Dettori in the shade, however, notching a 496 to 1 treble via Jubilee Scholar for Gary Moore, Philatelic Lady, trained by Mick Haynes, and Present'n Correct for Milton Bradley.