Today (15 December) is Frankie Dettori’s 53rd birthday. The Italian-born Flat jockey has been at the top of his game since he left school at the age of 13 to pursue his chosen career; his first winner came in Turin in 1986, when he was aged 16.
In 1990, he became the first teenager since Lester Piggott to ride 100 winners in a season. He was appointed MBE in 2000 and has amassed over £22m in prize money over the past five seasons from 935 rides in Great Britain alone, with countless Group One victories to his name.
Here we reflect on Frankie’s illustrious career so far…
1. Frankie on 31 July 1991 after his victory on Second Set in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood
31 Jul 1991: Portrait of Jockey Frankie Dettori of Italy after his victory on Second Set in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood racecourse in West Sussex, England. Mandatory Credit: Chris Cole/Allsport
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2. Frankie celebrates on Lammtarra after winning the King George and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot in July 1995
22 Jul 1995: Lanfranco Frankie Dettori of Italy on Lammtarra celebrates after winning the King George and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot racecourse, Ascot, England. Mandatory Credit: Allsport /Allsport
(Image credit: Getty Images)
3. Frankie brings the grey Daylami home to win the King George VI and The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes run at Ascot in July 1999
24 Jul 1999: Frankie Dettori brings the grey Daylami home to win the King George VI and The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes run at Ascot. Mandatory Credit: Julian Herbert/ALLSPORT
(Image credit: Getty Images)
4. Frankie’s wife Catherine poses with her husband as she prepares to compete in The Cantor Odds Charity Sweepstake Flat Race on Cristoford in a race run at Newbury Racecourse on 10 June 2004
NEWBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 10: Catherine Dettori poses with her husband, jockey Frankie Dettori, as she prepares to compete in The Cantor Odds Charity Sweepstake Flat Race on Cristoford in a race run at Newbury Racecourse on June 10, 2004 in Newbury, England. (Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
5. Frankie celebrates with his signature flying dismount after winning the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket riding Mr Singh on 9 July, 2015
NEWMARKET, ENGLAND - JULY 09: Frankie Dettori riding Mr Singh celebrates winning The Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket racecourse on July 09, 2015 in Newmarket, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
6. Frankie throws his arms round trainer Mark Johnston after they teamed up to win the UAE Hydra Properties Falmouth Stakes with Nahoodh at Newmarket in 2008
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Back Page Images/REX/Shutterstock (8479630c)
The UAE Hydra Properties Falmouth Stakes.Frankie Dettori throws his arms round the trainer Mark Johnston after they had won with Nahoodh.
Ritz Club July Festival Day 1 ritz Club July Festival Day 1 - 09 Jul 2008
(Image credit: Back Page Images/REX/Shutterstoc)
7. Frankie and his son Rocco at Ascot Racecourse in 2016 ahead of their both riding at Olympia. Frankie was riding in the Markel Champions Challenge in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund, while Rocco was making his debut in the Shetland Pony Grand National
8. Frankie wins the Prix Foy in 2014 with Ruler of the World
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
9. Frankie celebrates a win with Blue Bunting at Newmarket in May 2011
Newmarket Racing Day 2 01.05.11 Race 3 winner Blue Bunting Frankie Dettori up
(Image credit: TREVOR MEEKS)
10. Claire Balding and Frankie get a soaking while taking part in the ice bucket challenge for charity in 2014
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
11. The wonder-mare Treve gives Frankie a great win in France at Longchamp in 2013
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
12. Wesley Ward’s Lady Aurelia flies home seven lengths in front to help Frankie Dettori take two wins on day two of Royal Ascot in 2016
Lady Aurelia wins 15-6-16
(Image credit: Bill Selwyn)
13. Nick Skelton puts Frankie through his paces in preparation for the Markel Champions Challenge at Olympia
Frankie Dettori during her Showjumping training at Nick Skelton's stables at Arden Cote Farm in the village of Shelfield near Ancestor in Warwickshire in UK on 28th November 2016
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
14. The incredible Enable wins The Darley Yorkshire Oaks during the Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York Racecourse in 2017
Enable ridden by Frankie Dettori wins The Darley Yorkshire Oaks during Darley Yorkshire Oaks and Ladies Day of the Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York Racecourse.
(Image credit: PA Wire/PA Images)
15. Frankie shows his elation as he rides Golden Horn to win the Investec Derby at Epsom in 2015
EPSOM, ENGLAND - JUNE 06: Frankie Dettori celebrates as he rides Golden Horn to win The Investec Derby at Epsom racecourse on June 06, 2015 in Epsom, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
16. Stradivarius en route to winning the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in 2019
Stradivarius ridden by Frankie Dettori wins the Gold Cup during day three of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
(Image credit: PA)
17. Frankie, John Gosden and Lord Grimthorpe with Enable’s Cartier Awards in 2019
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Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor
Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
