Frankie Dettori was crowned champion jockey for the third time on an emotionally-charged afternoon at Doncaster and dedicated his victory over Kieren Fallon in a thrilling title race to his wife Catherine.

The Italian, who won the championship in 1994 and the following year, finished with 192 winners, 15 ahead of his great rival and reigning title-holder.

Mrs Dettori and their four children were on hand to see him receive the trophy from Fallon.

There was a delay to the presentation after the coach carrying Dettori's family and friends was held up in traffic.

On his arrival he was mobbed by autograph hunters, who had waited patiently for over an hour for their hero to arrive.

Fallon and Dettori were showered in champagne by their weighing-room colleagues Kevin Darley and Darryll Holland as the ceremony went ahead in a packed winner's enclosure.

Afterwards Dettori, dripping in champagne, said: ''I would really like to dedicate this championship to my wife, who gave me the push to go out and do it. I'm glad that she was here today to support me because she was a big part of this championship. My family have been my inspiration.

''Nine years since my last championship is a long time.''

Dettori will be going all out to retain his title next year and he continued: ''It's going to be hard because Kieren is a very determined person. It's going to be a fascinating race and we'll start again here at Doncaster.

''I'm going to have a shot. I'm not saying I'm going to win it but I'm going to be knocking on the door again. Hopefully I'll stay injury-free and suspension-free.

''Kieren, 'the Assassin', never drops the bone, so he's going to be even hungrier next year.

''Over the last seven years Kieren has set some incredible standards and he really made me work.

''I'd just also like to mention Darryll Holland and Seb Sanders because the four of us went hammer and tongs all season.

''It has been a fascinating season and I was pushed by some great guys.

''I've achieved my goal, so I just want to put my feet up now.''

Dettori picked out Doyen's scintillating victory in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes as the highlight of a campaign which has seen him ride 73 domestic winners for his bosses Godolphin.

''Doyen's win in the King George was obviously special,'' he said. ''When you win the King George, Eclipse and Juddmonte in the same season it's fantastic, but the one that sticks out is the King George - it was a great race.''

The Derby is missing from Dettori's big-race portfolio after 12 attempts but he has high hopes of ending the jinx on Dubawi in 2005.

He said: ''Dubawi is very high on the list of our best horses, so you never know, it could be lucky 13.''

Dettori will be able to put his feet up after picking up a 31-day careless riding suspension aboard Mamool in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup, a ban which he is still unable to explain.

''I'm stunned and shocked, absolutely shocked. What can I say?'' he said. ''I would have got two or four days in England.''

As well as receiving his trophy, Dettori, on behalf of the Fortune Centre Of Riding Therapy, was handed a cheque for £1,920 after the Racing Post and Racing UK, the title's joint sponsors, donated £10 per winner to the champion's chosen charity.

Fallon said: ''Frankie is a good friend of mine and I am happy for him.

"He's had a great season. Not only because his team is in good form - his outside rides from the start of the year were great. He deserves it.''

Godolphin were leading owners for the fifth time, while their trainer Saeed Bin Suroor topped his category for the fourth occasion. Tom Queally was champion apprentice with 59 winners.

After picking up his trophy and a cheque for £500, Queally, 20, said: ''It's a great honour and reward for all the hard work over the season.

''The highlight has been forming my association with David Loder.

Derby-winning jockey Willie Ryan was another to retire, after a 23-year career in the saddle.