Frankie Dettori, the famed Italian jockey has held a staggering presence in the horse riding industry for about 35 years. With new rides and races, the equestrian has only ever continued to grow; etching a reckoning trail. After decades in the saddles, Frankie persists on his journey with milestones to his name.
Later last year, the jockey announced his retirement from the cherished domain. However, come October, it seemed like the field held more of his path to move on just yet. Following the announcement of his next phase, here’s a glimpse into the celebrated jockey’s life and esteemed career.
Frankie Dettori’s million-dollar horse racing career
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Dettori’s interest and first step into his glorious career stemmed from his father as an eight-year-old. Gianfranco Dettori, his father walked the same line, owing to numerous accolades and eventually introducing Frankie to his first pony. A ride at the San Siro racecourse and continued service at stables led the jockey to stand entitled to the career he does today.
Through his 35 years of presence in the horse racing industry, Dettori has had 3359 British career wins to his name inclusive of multiple grade stakes. Interestingly, Dettori’s first win was earned on his home soil at Turin racecourse in November 1986. From then on, the jockey rode with a winning streak to accumulate £153 million across his career as of 2023. As for his net worth, the number stands somewhere between £15 million and £18 million. The sum came as a result of Dettori’s ride over 3000 winners and equally mouth-gapping accomplishments.
The Italian jockey’s major feats
It was in 1985 that Dettori left Italy behind to find himself a new home and a career in England. The culture change came as a shock to the young aspirant owning ambitions. Nonetheless, the shift did not hold back Frankie from paving a path towards being crowned ‘World’s best jockey’ in 2015.
Stirring back to 1994, the jockey rode 233 winners to victory, securing his first of the three British jockeys’ championships. His title for the same was won back in 1995 with 217 wins and then again in 2004. But before that, in 1996, on September 28th, Dettori won all seven races in a single day; achieving a feat never seen before. Adding on, today, Frankie holds 81 Royal Ascot wins, accompanied by 9 Gold Cups. The practice of shattering records stuck with Frankie as he emerged victorious in 24 different countries and clinched the crown in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Breeders’ Cup Classic, to name but a few. In 2001, following his marveling statistics, the jockey was named the MBE; the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
His last win on the British soil
Frankie Dettori had his final run on British soil in October 2023 and it was nothing less than a spectacle. On October 21st, Frankie raced the Ascot Champion Stakes, to return triumphant. As a 52-year-old, Frakie had a dramatic farewell with a last-to-first victory on King Of Steel and another abroad Trawlerman. His last race was welcomed with a roaring crowd chanting “Oh, Frankie Dettori, Oh Frankie Dettori” while Dettori put on his flying dismount.
Though the race was considered his final one in Britain, the jockey has stated that one should not rule out the prospect of returning to the royal meeting and other major European racing occasions. Nonetheless, The last moments on the ground couldn’t have been any better for the renowned jockey who announced his further path toward the American tracks.
Heading to the United States for a new saga
In December 2022, Frankie Dettori put out a message for the spectators saying that he would ride his last race by the end of the 2023 flat season. However, as October arrived, the jockey had a reversed news for the fans. “I’ve still got the fire inside me that I want to do it a little bit more,” he remarked. But the continuation would find a new place: California.
“Myself and my wife, Catherine, will move full-time to Los Angeles and do the same as last year, but this time I’m going to stay there for good. When I say for good, it could be three months or three years, but I want to give it a good go on the US circuit…” Dettori added, revealing the support that surrounds him.
Frankie Dettori’s supportive family
In 1997, Dettori, like ‘written in the stars’, married fellow jockey and TV presenter Catherine Allen in Newmarket. Together, the duo has five kids, Leo, Ella, Mia, Tallula, and Rocco. Dettori’s family proves to be an especially doting one as they announce their frequent presence for the jockey during his many races. Moreover, the jockey has his Instagram page filled with the moments of the six even one captioning the team his ‘world.’
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Frankie also has had great support from his father who was a 13-time Italian Champion jockey. He revealed that it was his father who helped with his retirement decisions. “I spoke to my dad at length. My dad stopped at 51, he is very supportive and I also had to speak to my wife and children, who are delighted because they have barely seen me for 35 years,” Frankie said during his retirement announcement. However, retirement or not, new country or new show, his family has always sent its support.
Him joining the I’m A Celebrity line-up
I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here has been a loved show in Britain through its 20 years of presence in entertainment. Following numerous series, this year, Frankie Dettori will be joining the line-up alongside 9 other celebrities; Nigel Farage, Sam Thompson, and Nella Rose are a few names to give a glimpse.
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“Looking forward to the challenge of it all,” Dettori said after the announcement. However, he did reveal that he would be missing traveling the most and accepted it to be tougher than a horse race. The show is expected to run for about a month, following which, Dettori will look to move back to his racing career.
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