Jockey Frankie Dettori Still Clearing Milestones

It's hard to believe that 35 years ago, the legendary jockey Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori began what would become a historic horse racing career. What's not hard to believe is the level of success he has had given his pedigree as a jockey. The Italian-born 53-year-old jockey was privileged to have learned his trade from his father Gianfranco Dettori. The senior Dettori was good enough to have been crowned Italy's Champion Thoroughbred Jockey on 13 occasions.

By winning the 2024 Santa Anita (Big Cap) Handicap at Santa Anita on March 10, 2024, Dettori added yet another win in major Grade 1 race that hadn't yet hit his riding resume. The win came compliments of the 4-year-old colt Newsgate won the race in a stretch-long duel with Subsanador.

A Look at the Legend of Frankie Dettori

Dettori's career in the horse racing industry began in 1985 when he started working in England under the guidance of the legendary trainer Luca Cumani at Newmarket Racecourse. By 1986, he was ready to start his racing career and returned to Italy where he rode his first winner at Turin racecourse in November 1986.

By spring of 1987, Dettori was ready to test his skills against the best riders in Europe. His first win in England came on June 9, 1987 when he rode the Cumani-trained Lizzy Hare at Goodwood. It was here in Europe that the flamboyant jockey introduced signature "flying dismount."

Later that year, he would make his first trek to America where he rode during the Santa Anita winter/spring meet. It was a trek he would make on a regular basis for many years.

It was 1989 when Dettori made clear he would eventually become one of the best jockey's in the world. That was the year he won 75 races on the way to claiming Europe horse racing's title as "Champion Apprentice Jockey." From that point going forward, Dettori would take the saddle for top trainers like Cumani, Henry Cecil, and John Gosden, trainer for the powerful Godolphin stable.

In a span that has spanned 35 years and still going, there are too many highlights to list regarding Dettori's incredible riding career. With that said, here are some highlights of note:

- Won Grade 1 or Group I races in more than 16 different countries

- Great Britain's Flat Racing Jockey of the Year (1993, 1994, 1995, tied in 1996, and 2004)

- Named the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year in 1996

- Rode 149 winners as a 19-year-old teenager (4th best in history)

- The Magnificent Seven - rode all seven (7) winners on the same day at Ascot in September 1996

- Rode horse racing equine superstars like Locksong, Lammtarra, Ouija Board (F), Fantastic Light, Golden Horn, Cracksman, and Enable (F), to name just a few.

In early 2023, Dettori reported he would be retiring at the end of the year. However, his success during the year gave him second thoughts and he has returned for 2024. When he does retire, he will be missed by the International horse racing community. He will also be remembered as one of the greatest jockeys to ever get a leg up on a horse.