Frankie Dettori is a name that almost everyone knows, even those who are not interested in horse racing. For over thirty years, he has remained the most popular personality in horse racing events. He is famous for his extroverted personality and his incredible skills at winning the biggest events around the world.
Be it racing at the renowned tracks of England or the massive events in the Middle East, excitement was always there with his presence. His tenure is not merely the victories but his story of overcoming adversity and then finding new means of success even when the odds were against him.
Italian Heritage
Frankie Dettori’s career began in Milan, Italy as he was born into horse racing. His father, Gianfranco Dettori, is an Italian champion jockey. Although it was evident from an early age that Frankie would follow in his father’s footsteps, if Dettori had any hope of becoming the best the sport had seen, he would have to relocate to the heart of the horse racing community: Great Britain.
At the age of 14, with only basic English knowledge, the ambitious jockey arrived in Newmarket. His ascents would soon make him one of the biggest stars in the horse racing community. Before the turn of the century and into the early 1990s, he had carved out a reputation for being one of the best riders.
Rise to Superstardom
Among the most notable moments in Dettori’s career was on September 28, 1996 at Ascot Race Course. This particular event would go down in history as The Magnificent Seven during which Dettori won all seven races on the fixture. The probability of such a success was astronomical and it ended up costing the British betting community millions of pounds. This would mark a turning point for Dettori, who would go from being a successful jockey to a household name.
In an exclusive Stake.com interview with Frankie Dettori, he remembered how next year marked the 30th anniversary of that particular success, changing his life for the better and enshrining him in legend status.
Following Accomplishments
After the success in 1996, Dettori became the frontman of Godolphin, which was a multinational racing team owned by the Maktoum family of Dubai. They went on to work together for eighteen years and won over a hundred Grade 1 successes around the globe. Dettori frequently won the Epsom Derby, the Arc de Triomphe and the Breeders’ Cup.
It was his talent for winning races under pressure that made him the go-to jockey for the world’s most powerful owners. Despite professional setbacks and a split from Godolphin later in his career, Dettori’s skill never faded. By reinventing himself as a freelancer, he found even greater success with trainer John Gosden, proving to the world that his career was the result of his own work ethic.
- Became the leading jockey for Godolphin and raced worldwide for the Maktoum family for 18 years
- Won over 100 Grade 1 races like major victories at the Epsom Derby, Arc de Triomphe and Breeders’ Cup
- Reinvented his career as a freelance jockey and achieved renewed success with trainer John Gosden
A South American Odyssey
For fifteen years he had been invited to participate in their most prestigious racing events in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. These racing events take place in July and August in the Southern Hemisphere which is equivalent to January and February in Europe, generally the time for winter holidays. Hence, he has been declining all these invitations in favor of much-needed vacation time. However, in these preparations for his formal retirement, he has at last agreed to carry out his long-standing obligation to South America. He is off to Buenos Aires to compete in the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini which he terms as equivalent to their version of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in South America.
His schedule on the continent is more than competitive. He gets the chance to learn more about and experience a region that he has always looked up to. After the event in Argentina, Dettori will compete in the Gran Premio Internacional Jose Pedro Ramirez in Montevideo, Uruguay, on January 6. He will compete in the Gavea track of the Grande Prêmio Estado do Rio de Janeiro at the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the last time.
- His schedule includes the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini in Buenos Aires, the Gran Premio Internacional Jose Pedro Ramirez in Uruguay on January 6 and a final appearance at the Gavea track in Rio de Janeiro.
- The tour is a rare opportunity for Dettori to finally experience and explore a region he has professionally admired for years.
Reflections on the Sport
Dettori has praised American racing, even when he is considered retired from racing in America. He picked Sovereignty as the top-three-year-old in America and was very disappointed when the horse couldn’t participate in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. According to Dettori, Sovereignty has what it takes to dominate big races such as the Dubai World Cup, provided he continues to be trained.
In addition, he praised the training achieved by Willie Mullins, including winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf with Ethical Diamond. Dettori acknowledges that very few would believe a horse could win a handicap and then a big Grade 1 in America within a short period, but he attributes it to Mullins’ genius.
- Frankie Dettori has praised American racing and called Sovereignty the top three-year-old in the U.S., saying he was disappointed the horse missed the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
- He believes Sovereignty could win major races like the Dubai World Cup if training continues.
The Unique Culture of Hong Kong Racing
Dettori remembers Hong Kong as a place where jockeys are treated like movie stars and are surrounded by fans whose passion for the sport is unmatched. The locals, he noted, are the type of enthusiasts who carry race cards memorized with the name of every runner and trainer. While Hong Kong offers some of the richest purses in the world, fueled by the massive betting pools of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the environment is incredibly cutthroat. As he observed, a jockey only needs to go a few events without a win to lose the support of owners and trainers.
For the upcoming Hong Kong races, Dettori shared tips, backing Ka Ying Rising in the sprints and Romantic Warrior in the Cup races. Following the horse’s success in The Everest in Australia, Dettori rates Ka Ying Rising as being above any other in the world. While he admitted these favorites are the obvious picks, he explained that he values their consistent excellence. Dettori also talked about European riders like Hollie Doyle and Richard Kingscote as examples of talent currently in Hong Kong. He described the circuit as tough school and noted that it is a perfect environment for up-and-coming riders to test their skill.
Life Away from the Track
However, the onset of retirement has not been a life of complete idleness for Dettori. Before heading to South America, he had been in the United Kingdom visiting his kids. He spent his days helping his son-in-law train at a training facility near the Doncaster area. Cleaning stalls and walking the horses around the gallops formed part of his training. This he did to make sure that he remained physically fit so as not to embarrass himself when he takes the final spin around the track in South America. He still has the competitive fire within him as he confessed to the fact that he still feels the need to win whenever he takes to the track.
Dettori also spoke of a personal experience, which involved his family. His daughter is at medical school in Sheffield and is shortly going to be a qualified doctor. Of this, he is very proud, making light of how unusual it is to have a family of jockeys with a medical professional. Seeing this side of his character, one sees a man happy in his retirement and willing to help out his family. Although he does admit to missing the buzz of a race day, he is happy with his decision to retire. At age 55, he has decided that he has done his bit and is now looking to move on to a level where he can remain involved in racing but not be actively riding.
A Racing Legend
Whether it was the first victory of the Epsom Derby or the decision to compete in California when he was in his fifties, one thing remains clear about Dettori and that is the fact that he is always making news. He is a presence at the track that will almost certainly never be replicated by any other. As Dettori celebrates his 55th birthday with a steak and a glass of red wine in Buenos Aires, he can reflect with satisfaction on his career. This tour of the Southern Hemisphere is a conclusion to a journey that took him from his roots in Italy to the very top of the sport.
In his Stake.com interview he was adamant that although he is retiring as a rider, his love for horses, however, remains unchanged. He intends to remain involved in the sport, perhaps even as an ambassador. There is no doubt that horse racing in general will miss the personality and the expertise that Frankie Dettori has always brought with him.
Nevertheless, the records that he has smashed and the memories that he has created, beginning with the Magnificent Seven at Ascot to his last ride in Rio de Janeiro, ensure that his name lives on as long as horses exist.
- He has set records that will likely never be repeated.
- Currently concluding his career in the Southern Hemisphere, celebrating his 55th birthday in Buenos Aires as he transitions toward retirement.
- Plans to stay in the sport as a global brand ambassador to share his passion for horses.
| Facts | Impact | |
| Early Life | Born in Milan, son of champion jockey Gianfranco Dettori, moved to Newmarket at age 15 with limited English | Established a foundation for an elite career and international success |
| The Magnificent Seven | Won all seven races on one Ascot card | Career defining achievement that cemented legendary status |
| Godolphin Era | Lead jockey for Godolphin for 18 years with over 100 Grade 1 wins worldwide | Dominated global racing and became the preferred rider for top owners |
| Later Career | Left Godolphin, succeeded as a freelance jockey and established a strong partnership with John Gosden | Proved longevity, adaptability and personal work ethic |
| South American Odyssey | Final international tour before true retirement but still competitive at age 55 | Celebratory conclusion to one of racing’s greatest careers |
FAQ
Who is Frankie Dettori?
Frankie Dettori is a world-famous jockey known for his success in the biggest horse races across Europe, America and beyond. He is also liked for his charismatic personality.
What was The Magnificent Seven?
It was Dettori’s historic achievement in 1996 when he won all seven races on one day at Ascot. This feat made him a household name all across the world.
What is Frankie Dettori doing as he retires from riding?
He is in the process of completing a final international tour in South America before retirement and plans to remain involved in horse racing in roles such as ambassador or mentor.
