Frankie Dettori

One of the greatest and most charismatic jockeys of all-time, Frankie Dettori is set to reach a milestone achieved by only five other Flat jockeys in British history.

The Italian is now closing in on his 3,000th British winner and will join an elite club consisting of some of the greatest ever Flat jockeys – Sir Gordon Richards, Pat Eddery, Lester Piggott, Willie Carson and Doug Smith - who have also reached the illustrious figure.

BACKGROUND
Born in Milan on 15th December, 1970, Lanfranco “Frankie” Dettori was destined to follow in the footsteps of his father, Gianfranco, who was a 13-time Champion Jockey in his native Italy.

When Dettori was 13, he left school and became an apprentice jockey and a year later moved to Great Britain to continue his apprenticeship with Italian trainer Luca Cumani. Indeed, it was for Cumani that Dettori notched up his first winner, guiding Lizzy Hare to success at Goodwood on 9th June, 1987.

In 1990, Dettori became the first teenager since the great Lester Piggott to ride more than 100 winners in a season, which included two big-race wins on Markofdistinction in the Queen Anne Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, both at Ascot.

It was at the same track which, on 28th September 1996, Dettori would win each of the seven races on one of the year’s most competitive racedays, despite claiming earlier that morning: “I could have an each-way chance in the first, and I may win the third.”

With punters queuing up to back his rides throughout the day, the victories reportedly caused losses of £30m across the bookmaking industry and Dettori has remained their nemesis ever since. This feat is now known around the world as The Magnificent Seven.

That day was still not enough to help Dettori retain his Champion Jockey crown which he had won the previous two years, although he did win his third – and currently his last - title in 2004 at the famous Espom Downs.

Despite all this success, it took Dettori until 2007 – and 15 attempts - to win his first ever Derby, steering Authorized to glory. It would be another eight years before he won the most famous race again on Golden Horn, for trainer John Gosden in 2015.

There are rarely any cheers on a racecourse louder than when Dettori crosses the line in front and there is no doubt that he remains one of the greatest jockeys the sport has ever seen.

Speaking ahead of this latest career landmark, Dettori said: “It will be a massive achievement. 3000 is a big number. When I first started I never thought I’d get this far and it will be a special moment for me when I manage to do it.”

Saturday 25th November 2017 - 19:30
Tickets £28.00