Frankie Dettori Opens Up on Wife’s Struggles During Challenging Period in Jockey’s Life

Reversing his plan to retire and move to California in November last year, Italian jockey Frankie Dettori—who has been around for over 35 years—appeared in an uncensored interview recently. The 53-year-old has been married to Catherine Allen for over 26 years and has seen several highs and lows together. In addition, Frankie’s hectic horse racing career caused hardship for Catherine, who spent 17 years living in Stetchworth.

In an exclusive interview with Sky News Australia host Piers Morgan posted online on January 11, Dettori openly discussed major turning points in his life away from the racetrack.

Frankie Dettori makes an honest confession about his marriage.

Looking back on his wife’s persistent support, Dettori said, “She’s been with me for 30 years. I mean I feel sorry for her. I worried that I might wind up in the hospital while I rode, and I never minded the self-destructive foolish things I’d done. You know, it must be a concern for a lady to marry someone like me. I carried her through this crazy life” he added.

During a chat with Morgan, Dettori shared more details about his private life. “Everyone in the restaurant stood up and clapped,” Dettori recalls, remembering the day he proposed to Catherine at Scalini, one of his favorite Italian restaurants in London. He went on to explain the conventional method, saying, “I was told I had to go visit the father since I don’t speak English, I visited Cathy’s father, and he gave me a lengthy lecture.”

According to Dettori, the key to their long-lasting marriage is that they “don’t live in each other’s pocket.” She lets me finish the tasks at hand. We meet in the middle of her hectic schedule with the kids. We both have unique interests, and she simply lets me be who I need to be. He noted that it is crucial to have that support.

The ban that shook the racing community

Dettori spoke about the 2012 event when he had tested positive for cocaine. After the ban ended, the real trial began, and he could not find employment for a whole year. The next eighteen months were even more heartbreaking, as he quickly admitted his mistake and said, “I made a foolish mistake,” during the interview while his license was suspended for six months. In the past, he has previously stated, “I felt like an outcast for eighteen months.”

READ MORE: After Exiting the Jungle, Frankie Dettori Embarks on a Snowy Adventure

The 53-year-old added that, like any decent father or husband, he could not stand seeing his family suffer. Dettori experienced deep guilt in front of his parents, in addition to the effects on his wife and kids.

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