Jockey Profile: Frankie Dettori

Introduction

Even those with only a passing interest in horse racing will have heard of Frankie Dettori MBE. He's considered by many to be a true legend of horse racing with a career spanning across decades. Born on 15^th December, 1970, the Italian jockey has set a standard for others that is far from easy to follow. A consummate professional and entertaining personality, Dettori has been the Champion Jockey on three separate occasions and has ammassed several hundred Group Race wins. 

 

Career Summary

It's hard to do justice to Frankie Dettori by reeling off a simple summary of achievements, primarily because it's a very long list! But in brief, with countless wins across a stellar career, some of his major wins include the 1,000 Guineas three times, the 2,000 Guineas twice and the Ascot Gold Cup an incredible five times. Add in a Derby win in 2007, and it’s very easy to see why Dettori is so revered and respected across the board. He's won races in over 20 different countries and on 12th August 2016 had his staggering 3000th British winner, one of only 6 jockeys to do so on the flat.  An incredible competitor, he appears to have a natural feel for the horseS he's riding and the field around him. He doesn't often put a foot wrong.

Achievements & Highlights

Dettori rode all seven of the winners on the British Champions’ Day at Ascot, in 1996. Such an incredible, and still unmatched, achievement surely ranks him as one of the most consistent and impressive names within the sport of horse racing. The feat has in fact gone down in racing history as the 'magnificent seven' and is still talked of today. Several punters decided to back all of Detorri's rides that day and at combined horse racing odds of 25,095-1, it's a day where dreams came true for some (one punter alone won £500,000). The winners in order, were:  

1. Wall Street – 2/1
2. Diffident – 12/1
3. Mark of Esteem – 100/30
4. Decorated Hero – 7/1
5. Fatefully – 7/4
6. Lochangel – 5/4
7. Fujiyama Crest – 2/1

Although Dettori has had his fair share of personal problems over the years, including a substance-related ban in 2012, he more than bounced back to be crowned the World’s Best Jockey in 2015. This very much speak to his character, as a determined and successful sportsman, refusing to let problems knock him off course for long. 

 

Major Wins – Derby (2007), 1,000 Guineas (1998, 2002, 2011) 2,000 Guineas (1996, 1999), St Leger: (1995, 1996, 2005, 2006, 2008), Ascot Gold Cup (1992, 1993, 1998, 2004, 2012)

Earnings – £14 million career earnings.