Frankie Dettori
Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori, MBE (born 15 December 1970) is an Italian-born, British-based horse racing jockey. Dettori has been Champion Jockey on three occasions and has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races.[1] His most celebrated achievement was riding all seven winners on British Champions' Day at Ascot in 1996.[2] He is the son of the jockey Gianfranco Dettori, who was a prolific winner in Italy. He has been described by Lester Piggott as the best jockey currently riding.[3]
Since the end of 2012, Dettori has been operating as a freelance, having split with Godolphin Racing, for whom he was stable jockey and had most of his big race victories.[4] On 5 December 2012, he was suspended from riding for six months after being found guilty of taking a prohibited substance, believed to be cocaine.[5] During this absence, he took part in the 11th series of the UK reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother finishing seventh on Day 21.
On 11 December 2015 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Frankie Dettori was named 'World's Best Jockey 2015'. He topped ranking with 100 points after five wins, four second-placings and four thirds.[6]
Contents
Career
Born in Milan, Dettori's first experience with horses was at the age of twelve and his father bought him a Palomino pony. This had some impact on him, as he rode the horse often. When he was 13 Dettori left school to become a stable boy and apprentice jockey. The following year he went to Great Britain where he apprenticed with trainer Luca Cumani at Newmarket in 1985 and became a stable jockey soon after.[7]
In 1990 Dettori became the first teenager since Lester Piggott to ride 100 winners in one season. His first win came at the age of 16 in Turin in November 1986, while his first victory in Britain was the following June. Further success followed, with numerous winners in Group 1 races. On 28 September 1996 he achieved the feat of winning all seven races on a single day at Ascot Racecourse.
In an interview with the BBC's Newsnight, he admitted that he used to take diuretic drugs to keep his weight down. Dettori said he had used a wide range of substances before the Jockey Club banned them in June 1998 after a spate of positive drug tests revealed how prevalent their use was becoming: "I took Lasix, pee pills, diuretics, laxatives; all sorts."[8]
On 29 December 2000 he received an honorary MBE.
Dettori is the retained jockey for the Godolphin racing stables, but it was announced in September 2012, that the retainer would not be renewed in 2013. He is well known for his distinctive "flying dismounts".
He quit his position as a team captain on the BBC quiz A Question of Sport in 2003, when he was apparently stung by a question from a participant as to when he retired from riding. Since that time he has completely rededicated himself to riding. He was rewarded for his newfound dedication by becoming the British Champion Jockey in 2004.
The Epsom Derby was the only British Classic Race Dettori had not won in his career, until his fifteenth attempt on 2 June 2007 on the Peter Chapple-Hyam trained Authorized.[9] The following day he won the Prix du Jockey Club on Lawman, notching up a derby double.[10]
In 2007 Dettori became the face of "Jockey" yoghurt, sold across Europe, but especially popular in France. Controversial at first for its sweet flavour, Dettori's advertising campaign: "Frankie know whatta you alike!" – has seen sales rise slightly.[11]
In November 2012, he faced an inquiry following a failed drugs test while riding in France in September,[12] and on 5 December 2012, Dettori was suspended from riding for six months after being found guilty of taking a prohibited substance[13][14] believed to be cocaine.[15] In a statement, his lawyer said he "also accepts that he has let down the sport he loves and all those associated with it, as well as the wider public".[16]
In January 2013, Dettori was the fifth to be evicted on the eleventh series of the British reality show, Celebrity Big Brother.
After serving his six-month ban, Dettori made his racing comeback at Epsom on the 31 May 2013. A week later, he won his first race riding Asian Trader at Sandown.[17]
On 31 June 2013 Dettori signed a deal that makes him the retained rider for Sheikh Joaan Al Thani.[18]
Personal life
Dettori has stated "I am 5 ft 4 inches (1,63 m) and weigh 9 st 9 lb (61 kg) but I have to sometimes go down to 8 st 6 lb (54 kg)."[19]
Like many other jockeys and trainers Dettori lives in Stetchworth near to Newmarket, Suffolk with his wife Catherine and their five children: Leo; Ella; Mia; Tallula; and Rocco.[20]
An ardent Anglophile, he thrives on English culture: Dettori is an avid Arsenal supporter.[21] He has a line of frozen Italian food. In 2004, he opened a restaurant, Frankie's Italian Bar and Grill in Putney, London with renowned chef Marco Pierre White. Also their partnership has another three restaurants in London (in Knightsbridge, Chiswick and Selfridges) and one in Dubai (opened in 2007).[22]
In 2000, Dettori and Ray Cochrane were aboard a Piper Seneca plane which crashed on take off at Newmarket on its way to Goodwood in Sussex, killing the pilot. Dettori escaped with a fractured right ankle and an injured thumb,[23] and spent some weeks in Addenbrooke's Hospital.[24]
Thieves stole many of his medals from his home on the evening of 25 August 2006. Items missing include three Gold Cups awarded in Japan, and his MBE.[25]
Major wins
Great Britain
- 1,000 Guineas – (3) – Cape Verdi (1998), Kazzia (2002), Blue Bunting (2011)
- 2,000 Guineas – (2) – Mark of Esteem (1996), Island Sands (1999)
- Ascot Gold Cup – (5) – Drum Taps (1992, 1993), Kayf Tara (1998), Papineau (2004), Colour Vision (2012)
- Cheveley Park Stakes – (2) – Regal Rose (2000), Carry On Katie (2003)
- Coronation Cup – (4) – Swain (1996), Singspiel (1997), Daylami (1999), Mutafaweq (2001)
- Diamond Jubilee Stakes – (2) – So Factual (1995), Undrafted (2015)
- Derby – (2) – Authorized (2007), Golden Horn (2015)
- Eclipse Stakes – (3) – Daylami (1998), Refuse To Bend (2004), Golden Horn (2015)
- Falmouth Stakes – (1) – Nahoodh (2008)
- Fillies' Mile – (6) – Shamshir (1990), Glorosia (1997), Teggiano (1999), Crystal Music (2000), White Moonstone (2010), Lyric of Light (2011)
- Haydock Sprint Cup – (1) – Diktat (1999)
- International Stakes – (5) – Halling (1996), Singspiel (1997), Sakhee (2001), Sulamani (2004), Authorized (2007)
- King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes – (4) – Lammtarra (1995), Swain (1998), Daylami (1999), Doyen (2004)
- King's Stand Stakes – (1) – Lochsong (1994)
- Lockinge Stakes – (4) – Emperor Jones (1994), Aljabr (2000), Creachadoir (2008), Olympic Glory (2014)
- Middle Park Stakes – (4) – Bahamian Bounty (1996), Lujain (1998), Dutch Art (2006), Shalaa (2015)
- Nassau Stakes – (2) – Lailani (2001), Ouija Board (2006)
- Nunthorpe Stakes – (3) – Lochsong (1993), So Factual (1995), Lochangel (1998)
- Oaks – (3) – Balanchine (1994), Moonshell (1995), Kazzia (2002)
- Prince of Wales's Stakes – (3) – Fantastic Light (2001), Grandera (2002), Rewilding (2011)
- Queen Anne Stakes – (6) – Markofdistinction (1990), Allied Forces (1997), Intikhab (1998), Dubai Destination (2003), Refuse to Bend (2004), Ramonti (2007)
- Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – (5) – Markofdistinction (1990), Mark of Esteem (1996), Dubai Millennium (1999), Ramonti (2007), Poet's Voice (2010)
- Racing Post Trophy – (2) – Authorized (2006), Casamento (2010)
- St. James's Palace Stakes – (1) – Starborough (1997)
- St. Leger – (5) – Classic Cliche (1995), Shantou (1996), Scorpion (2005), Sixties Icon (2006), Conduit (2008)
- Sun Chariot Stakes – (1) – Red Slippers (1992)
- Sussex Stakes – (4) – Second Set (1991), Aljabr (1999), Noverre (2001), Ramonti (2007)
- Yorkshire Oaks – (2) – Only Royale (1994), Blue Bunting (2011)
- The Crown Prince – (1) – Bartack (2015)
France
- Critérium de Saint-Cloud – (1) – Passion for Gold (2009)
- Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud – (1) – Alkaased (2005)
- Poule d'Essai des Poulains – (3) – Vettori (1995), Bachir (2000), Shamardal (2005)
- Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp – (3) – Lochsong (1993, 1994), Var (2004)
- Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe – (4) – Lammtarra (1995), Sakhee (2001), Marienbard (2002), Golden Horn (2015)
- Prix du Cadran – (1) – Sergeant Cecil (2006)
- Prix de Diane – (2) – West Wind (2007), Star Of Seville (2015)
- Prix de la Forêt – (2) – Caradak (2006), Olympic Glory (2014)
- Prix Ganay – (1) – Pelder (1995)
- Prix d'Ispahan – (2) – Halling (1996), Best of the Bests (2002)
- Prix Jacques Le Marois – (3) – Dubai Millennium (1999), Muhtathir (2000), Librettist (2006)
- Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère – (2) – Rio de la Plata (2007), Dabirsim (2011)
- Prix Jean Prat – (3) – Torrential (1995), Starborough (1997), Almutawakel (1998)
- Prix Jean Romanet - (2) - Folk Opera (2008), Ribbons (2014)
- Prix du Jockey Club – (3) – Polytain (1992), Shamardal (2005), Lawman (2007)
- Prix Lupin – (1) – Flemensfirth (1995)
- Prix Marcel Boussac – (2) – Ryafan (1996), Sulk (2001)
- Prix Maurice de Gheest – (1) – Diktat (1999)
- Prix Morny – (4) – Bahamian Bounty (1996), Dabirsim (2011), The Wow Signal (2014), Shalaa (2015)
- Prix du Moulin de Longchamp – (2) – Slickly (2001), Librettist (2006)
- Prix de l'Opéra – (1) – Nahrain (2011)
- Prix de la Salamandre – (2) – Lord of Men (1995), Aljabr (1998)
- Prix Vermeille – (2) – Mezzo Soprano (2003), Trêve (2013)
- Challenge d'Or Piaget – (1) – Prince Babar (1993)
- Piaget d'Or – (1) – Dana Springs (1993)
- Emir's Trophy – (2) – Dubday (2014), Dubday (2015)
- Thoroughbred Conditions – (1) – Momalorka (2014)
- HH Sheik Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy – (1) – Dubday (2014)
- Qatar Gold Trophy – (1) – Dubday (2015)
- Thoroughbred Handicap – (1) – Arch Machness (2015)
Germany
- Bayerisches Zuchtrennen – (2) – Germany (1995), Kutub (2001)
- Deutsches Derby – (1) – Temporal (1991)
- Deutschland-Preis – (3) – Luso (1997), Marienbard (2002), Campanologist (2010)
- Grosser Preis von Baden – (3) – Germany (1995), Marienbard (2002), Mamool (2003)
- Mehl-Mülhens-Rennen – (1) – Frozen Power (2010)
- Preis von Europa – (3) – Kutub (2001), Mamool (2003), Campanologist (2011)
- Macau Derby – (1) – Royal Treasure (2002)
Hong Kong
- Centenary Sprint Cup – (1) – Firebolt (2002)
- Hong Kong Cup – (3) – Fantastic Light (2000), Falbrav (2003), Ramonti (2007)
- Hong Kong Mile – (1) – Firebreak (2004)
- Hong Kong Vase – (2) – Luso (1996), Mastery (2010)
- Queen Elizabeth II Cup – (1) – Overbury (1996)
- Caribbean Champion Stakes – (1) – Bigman in Town (2014)
- Slovenské Derby – (1) – Muskatsturm (2002)
- Bratislavska Mile – (1) – Tribal Instinct (2002)
- Jebel Ali Sprint
- Jebel Ali Mile
Ireland
- Irish 2,000 Guineas – (2) – Bachir (2000), Dubawi (2005)
- Irish Champion Stakes – (6) – Swain (1998), Daylami (1999), Fantastic Light (2001), Grandera (2002), Snow Fairy (2012), Golden Horn (2015)
- Irish Derby – (1) – Balanchine (1994)
- Irish Oaks – (3) – Lailani (2001), Vintage Tipple (2003), Blue Bunting (2011)
- Irish St. Leger – (1) – Kayf Tara (1999)
- Matron Stakes – (1) – Independence (2001)
- National Stakes – (1) – Dubawi (2004)
- Phoenix Stakes – (1) – Pips Pride (1992)
- Pretty Polly Stakes – (1) – Del Deya (1994)
- Tattersalls Gold Cup – (2) – Daylami (1998), Fantastic Light (2001)
- His Highness The President Cup
- Täby Open Sprint Championship – (1) – Jayannpee (1996)
Italy
- Derby Italiano – (2) – Mukhalif (1999), Mastery (2009)
- Gran Criterium – (1) – Kirklees (2006)
- Gran Premio del Jockey Club – (6) – Misil (1993), Shantou (1996), Kutub (2001), Cherry Mix (2005), Schiaparelli (2009), Campanologist (2011)
- Gran Premio d'Italia – (1) – Masad (1992)
- Gran Premio di Milano – (2) – Shantou (1997), Sudan (2007)
- Oaks d'Italia – (1) – Nicole Pharly (1997)
- Premio Roma – (5) – Legal Case (1990), Misil (1992), Flemensfirth (1996), Sunstrach (2002), Rio De La Plata (2010)
- Premio Vittorio di Capua – (5) – Muhtathir (1999), Slickly (2001, 2002), Ancient World (2004), Rio De La Plata (2010)
- GP Hotel Soldanella (White Turf) – (1) – Sweet Venture (2010)
Canada
- Canadian International Stakes – (3) – Mutafaweq (2000), Sulamani (2004), Joshua Tree (2012)
- E. P. Taylor Stakes – (2) – Timarida (1995), Folk Opera (2008)
Australia
- A J Moir Stakes – (1) – Spinning Hill (2002)
- Al Maktoum Round Challenge III – (5) – Dubai Millennium (2000), Street Cry (2002), Grandera (2003), Electrocutionist (2006), Jalil (2008)
- Dubai Duty Free Stakes – (1) – Tamayaz (1997)
- Dubai Golden Shaheen – (1) – Kelly's Landing (2007)
- Dubai Sheema Classic – (3) – Stowaway (1998), Sulamani (2003), Rewilding (2011)'
- Dubai World Cup – (3) – Dubai Millennium (2000), Moon Ballad (2003), Electrocutionist (2006)
- Godolphin Mile – (7) – Allied Forces (1998), Lend A Hand (1999), Firebreak (2003,2004), Two Step Salsa (2009), Skysurfers (2011), African Story (2012)
- Jebel Hatta – (2) – Siege (2000), Mahfooth (2001)
- UAE Derby – (2) – Essence of Dubai (2002), Discreet Cat (2006)
- Al Quoz Sprint – (1) – Great Britain (2007)
- Anatolia Trophy – (2) – Balius (2009), Hunter's light (2012)
- Erkek Tay Denemet
United States
- Beverly D. Stakes – (1) – Crimson Palace (2004)
- Breeders' Cup Classic – (1) – Raven's Pass (2008)
- Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf – (1) – Ouija Board (2006)
- Breeders' Cup Juvenile – (1) – Wilko (2004)
- Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf – (3) – Donativum (2008), Pounced (2009), Hootenanny (2014)
- Breeders' Cup Mile – (1) – Barathea (1994)
- Breeders' Cup Turf – (4) – Daylami (1999), Fantastic Light (2001), Red Rocks (2006), Dangerous Midge (2010)
- The Air Mauritius Pailles
- Le Grand Prix De France
- The Long Beach Cup
Japan
- Japan Cup – (3) – Singspiel (1996), Falbrav (2002), Alkaased (2005)
- Japan Cup Dirt – (1) – Eagle Cafe (2002)
Singapore
- Singapore Gold Cup – (1) – Kutub (2002)
- Singapore Airlines International Cup – (1) – Grandera (2002)
- Singapore Plate – (1) – Timahs (2000)
- King's Cup (Saudi Arabia Horse Race)
- Custodian of the Holy Two Mosques
- King Abdulaziz Cup
- Crown Prince Cup
Year-end charts in the United States
| Chart (2000–present) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2000 | 20 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2001 | 41 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2002 | 32 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2003 | 33 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2004 | 69 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2006 | 19 |
| National Earnings List for Jockeys 2008 | 64 |
See also
References
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- ↑ Daily Mail 11 May 2012: My haven: When he's not in the saddle, champion jockey, Frankie Dettori, 41, chills out in the DJ booth at his Suffolk home
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External links
- Official Frankie Dettori Website
- Jockey's Room – has biography and career win statistics
- [1] – Video replays, official charts, and article recaps of every Breeders' Cup race.
- Racing Post Stats
- Frankies italian Bar and Grill – Frankie's Restaurants and Bars
- [2] – BBC Question of Sport Website
- Sunday Times article 19 July, 2009
- [3] Arsenal.com – Famous Fans: Champion jockey Frankie Dettori
- EngvarB from May 2015
- Use dmy dates from May 2015
- Pages with broken file links
- 1970 births
- Living people
- Sportspeople from Milan
- People from Newmarket, Suffolk
- Italian jockeys
- Lester Award winners
- Members of the Order of the British Empire
- Survivors of aviation accidents or incidents
- Italian British sportspeople
- Italian emigrants to the United Kingdom
- Celebrity Big Brother (UK) contestants
- British Champion flat jockeys
