Frankie Dettori bowed out of his 40-year racing career with a double on his final day in the saddle.

The three-time champion jockey brought the curtain down on his sporting career with two wins at Gávea Racecourse in Brazil yesterday (1 February) – including the Grande Prêmio Estado do Rio de Janeiro (Brazilian 2000 Guineas).

In a message to fans ahead of his final rides, Frankie said that it is “hard to put into words what I’m feeling”.

“Racing has been my life. I began riding in Italy as a 15-year-old boy nearly 40 years ago, and this sport has given me everything,” he said.

“It may not have been perfect at times, but I have loved every single moment. I’ve travelled the world, met incredible people, made memories I will carry for ever and have been lucky enough to ride some truly extraordinary horses.”

He added: “To my family, thank you for your love, patience, and unwavering support. You shared the journey and sacrifices and you are the reason for everything.

“To every trainer, owner, stable staff member, and jockey I’ve shared this journey with, thank you. We’ve had some laughs along the way.

“And to the fans, you were always there. Your love and support carried me around the world and lifted me more than you’ll ever know.

“Thank you for letting a young boy live his dream.”

Frankie, 55, announced at the end of 2022 that he would retire at the 2023 Breeders’ Cup in California (3 to 4 November), but U-turned on that decision weeks ahead of the fixture.

“I am simply not ready to retire completely. I’m still enjoying riding and I want to carry on for a while on the international circuit,” he said in October 2023, adding that he would instead be heading to the US to take up race-riding opportunities there and elsewhere on the international circuit.

In October 2025, Frankie said that year’s Breeders’ Cup would be his US race-riding swansong and that he would conclude his career with a few rides in South America, adding that it was “something I’ve always wanted to do”.

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Up-and-coming British racehorse trainer James Owen and legendary jockey Frankie Dettori teamed up on Saturday (30 August) to win the $3,500,000 (£2,620,000) Nashville Derby at Kentucky Downs, USA.

Running in the colours of the Gredley family, three-year-old colt Wimbledon Hawkeye scored by a head to win this hugely valuable invitation race.

Newmarket-based dual jumps and Flat trainer James Owen had never had a runner in USA before and hailed his debut success there as “unbelievable”.

“He’s run an absolute cracker – he’s done us very proud,” he said. “It was a big call from Tim Gredley coming out here, but we’ll be coming back – we’ve had a great time.”

James Owen on Wimbledon Hawkeye: “He flew the flag for me last year and he’s flying it even higher this year”

Frankie Dettori travelled wide throughout the early stages of the 1m 2½f race, then unleashed the Gredleys’ home-bred son of Kameko coming into the home straight. Wimbledon Hawkeye responded with an extraordinary turn of foot, but the US-trained Burnham Square was closing quickly and the two horses battled it out to the line, where the James Owen runner was adjudged the narrow winner.

“Wimbledon Hawkeye has matured all season and Frankie has given him a superb ride – he’s really toughed it out well and battled when the other horse came to him,” said Owen, who was joined at Kentucky Downs by assistant trainer Ryan King. Jockey Laura Pearson had also travelled over to look after Wimbledon Hawkeye.

“He’s a real, proper stayer – he wants further in time – and he’s just a lovely horse for me to train. This is only our third year training, but he flew the flag for me last year and he’s flying it even higher this year.”

Frankie Dettori: “It’s been a very difficult time for me”

Frankie Dettori, who moved to the US last year after an aborted attempt at retiring, revealed he’d been “thinking of quitting” two weeks ago after the sudden death of a close friend in Dubai, but instead drew strength from “my good mucker Duncan” to win the race for the second year in a row.

“I wasn’t sure I’d got the race – we both had our heads down and when it’s that close you never really know,” said the former champion jockey. “It’s been a very difficult time for me, but this is an amazing win. I’m doing it for [Duncan], he would want me to carry on.

“Wimbledon Hawkeye has danced every dance this year and he always puts his heart into it. Full credit to the James Owen team – it’s a long trip, but he dug deep for me.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Top Flat jockey Frankie Dettori has announced that he is filing for bankruptcy.

Frankie said the move is a result of being unable to reach agreement with HMRC over his financial situation.

“For the last six months, my advisors have been working with HMRC in an attempt to find a solution to my financial situation,” he said in a statement. “I am saddened and embarrassed by this outcome and would advise others to take a stronger rein over their financial matters.

“Bankruptcy is a major decision and its consequences will affect me for many years.

“I am relieved to be drawing a line on this long-term matter, which enables me to reset and focus on my international riding career.”

An HMRC spokesperson said: “We take a supportive approach to dealing with customers who have tax debts and do everything we can to help those who engage with us to get out of debt, such as offering instalment plans.”

Frankie’s dispute with HMRC became public in December 2024; his plea for anonymity lodged in November was rejected by a High Court judge, and an injunction to prevent his being named was lifted following an application by HMRC and media organisations.

The case was brought against Frankie after he had employed professional specialist tax advisers to oversee his and his family’s financial affairs.

The jockey, who was appointed MBE in 2001, terminated relations with those advisers last year and then employed the services of a different set of financial experts in attempt to resolve the case.

Frankie Dettori is one of the most famous Flat jockeys in history and has won more than 3,300 races, including 287 Group Ones. He moved to California at the end of 2023, where he has been continuing his career in the saddle.

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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

2. Frankie celebrates on Lammtarra after winning the King George and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot in July 1995

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

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

5. Frankie celebrates with his signature flying dismount after winning the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket riding Mr Singh on 9 July, 2015

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

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

9. Frankie celebrates a win with Blue Bunting at Newmarket in May 2011

10. Claire Balding and Frankie get a soaking while taking part in the ice bucket challenge for charity in 2014

11. The wonder-mare Treve gives Frankie a great win in France at Longchamp in 2013

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

13. Nick Skelton puts Frankie through his paces in preparation for the Markel Champions Challenge at Olympia

14. The incredible Enable wins The Darley Yorkshire Oaks during the Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York Racecourse in 2017

15. Frankie shows his elation as he rides Golden Horn to win the Investec Derby at Epsom in 2015

16. Stradivarius en route to winning the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in 2019

17. Frankie, John Gosden and Lord Grimthorpe with Enable’s Cartier Awards in 2019

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Legendary Flat jockey Frankie Dettori, has been shortlisted for the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.

Frankie, who is 52 and recently took part in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, is one of six nominees in the 70th running of Sports Personality of the Year, which he said was ”a really proud moment”.

He has enjoyed a stellar year in the saddle, including notching two Classics, claiming the 2000 Guineas on Chaldean and the Oaks on Soul Sister. Other successes included the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on Courage Mon Ami, the Coronation Cup at Epsom on Emily Upjohn and the Champions Stakes at Ascot on King Of Steel.

Frankie, who has ridden more than 500 Group winners, was nominated for this award in 1996 after his amazing achievement of riding all seven winners on a single day at Ascot. He ultimately finished third to Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill.

Frankie’s fellow nominees for the 2023 Sports Personality of the Year Award include cricketer Stuart Broad, footballer Mary Earps, wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett, athletics star Katarina Johnson-Thompson and golfer Rory McIlroy.

The six sport stars will compete for the public vote on the night of the live show on Tuesday, 19 December.

Live from Media City, Salford, presenters Clare Balding, Gary Lineker, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott will look back at an action-packed year of sport on BBC One and iPlayer from 7pm.

Votes can be cast by phone or online on the evening of 19 December and the number to call for each contender will be revealed during the programme.

Other awards that will be presented on the night include World Sport Star of the Year, the Helen Rollason Award, Young Sports Personality of the Year, Unsung Hero, Coach of the Year, Team of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement award.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Hopes to see three-time champion jockey Frankie Dettori win I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! were dashed when the charismatic horseman became the first camp-mate to be voted out of the ITV reality show last night (3 December).

Twelve days after entering the jungle, Frankie was told by hosts Ant and Dec that he and fellow camp-mate Nella Rose had received the fewest votes from the public and one of them would therefore be going home. The dual Derby-winning jockey yelled “Yes” when Ant announced his name as the first camp-mate to be voted off, before hugging his camp-mates goodbye.

“I’m going to be sat watching you all!” he told them. “Imagine the breakfast I’m going to have.”

Frankie Dettori on I’m A Celebrity: ‘It’s been surreal, what an adventure’

Frankie said he enjoyed his time in I’m A Celebrity, where he endured tasks such as coming face to face with cockroaches, tasting pigs’ testicles and he had two run-ins with his greatest fear, snakes. One slithered up his shorts during the confines of a bushtucker trial and he almost stepped on another while fetching water on his final morning in the Australian camp.

“It’s been surreal, what an adventure,” said Frankie Dettori after leaving the I’m A Celebrity jungle. “Yesterday really hit me when we got the letters from home – you forget there’s a world outside and people are watching you.

“It’s been a fantastic experience, I’ve challenged myself and it’s been tough, but rewarding.”

Frankie said his emotions had been up and down during his time in I’m A Celebrity.

“I’ve been dieting for 30 years, but this takes it to another level,” said Frankie. “The heat, the fatigue of the jungle, you just need some fuel in your stomach or you feel your body slowing down and shutting off. Even just a handful of rice could put us back up. It’s been challenging, but what a fantastic camp, they were all incredible.

“I’m disappointed to be voted out first, but I’m also very happy because I did nearly two weeks in the jungle and I beat my fears of enclosed spaces and snakes all in the same task and I’ve met some wonderful people.”

Frankie, who will return to the racetrack as he starts a new chapter of his three decade-long career in USA, also said that sharing life stories with his camp-mates was another highlight of his stay in the I’m A Celebrity camp.

“I think Sam [Thompson, from Made In Chelsea] will win,” he announced before departing with a glass of champagne and reuniting with wife Catherine for a return to some home comforts.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Legendary Italian jockey Frankie Dettori has had plenty of success on the racetrack in a glittering career spanning 36 years, but he’s currently losing the race to be crowned King of the Jungle in this year’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! currently streaming on ITV1 and ITVX.

The 52-year-old, who announced last month that he would be prolonging his career in USA rather than retiring at the end of this year, was a late entry into the Australian jungle. Frankie was accompanied by boxer Tony Bellew when he joined the original camp-mates last week, and the new duo were immediately announced as camp coaches for a series of trials.

Frankie Dettori has since settled into the I’m A Celebrity camp, rubbing along with camp-mates including Nigel Farage and JLS singer Marvin Humes, and he shared the story of his decision not to retire with Jamie Lynn Spears during their washing-up duties.

In last night’s programme, the public had voted for Frankie Dettori to take part in his first bushtucker trial alongside YouTuber Nella Rose – Dreaded Beds at the Misery Motel. Lying in neighbouring motel rooms, Frankie and Nella had to work out the codes to release padlocks to coin-filled boxes. There were 30 coins up for grabs, which could be spent in the jungle vending machine on either stars for meals in camp, treats or other luxury items.

“It’s not going to be easy, but we’ll get as many stars as we can,” said Frankie Dettori enthusiastically before the trial, while Nella looked less happy about the challenge. “There’s a lot at stake, but we’re going to try not to let them down.”

Josie Gibson piped up to Nella, who is already a bushtucker trial veteran, “You’ve got Frankie Dettori, who else do you want?”

Frankie Dettori on I’m A Celebrity: ‘Be brave, be brave!’

Frankie was full of fighting talk, and his mantra as he headed through the jungle to meet I’m A Celebrity hosts Ant and Dec was, “Be brave, be brave.”

Nella and Frankie had 10 minutes to complete this seemingly straightforward task, although of course, this being I’m A Celebrity, it was made far more difficult when Frankie’s bed was plunged into total darkness, so he had to feel around for the four-digit codes and shout the numbers out to Nella Rose in the next room. They were then also joined by some new room-mates – dozens of writhing snakes.

“What have you got there, Frankie?” asked Dec when the reptiles emerged.

“Nice, slimy things,” he replied.

It soon became clear that the pair were struggling with the task in hand and Nella even had to contend with one serpent taking a bite.

“The snake might do it quicker,” chuckled Ant as the pair appeared to despair with the two camp-mates’ strategy.

A snake in Frankie Dettori’s trousers

“One of them is trying to get into my pants, that’s nice,” exclaimed Frankie, who finished seventh in Celebrity Big Brother in 2013 after lasting 21 days in the Big Brother house. “One is in my pants now.”

With the 10 minutes up, the pair had failed miserably, unable to unlock any of the padlocks and they became the first camp-mates to return to camp without any stars.

“We tried,” reflected Frankie before the deflated duo returned to their jungle camp-mates. “It was very hard. The snake went into my trousers, across my manhood – it had a look and said ‘Well that’s no threat’ and it carried on past.

“We hoped we’d at least get something. But it wasn’t to be. But there are plenty more trials ahead. We haven’t finished yet, we’ve got plenty more in us, we’ll do better next time.”

Ant summed up, “How did they do such a terrible job?”

Bookies currently have Frankie Dettori as one of the rank outsiders to win I’m A Celebrity at odds of around 80/1 while Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson is the new favourite to win. Frankie is among the favourites to be the first to be voted out when the eliminations start early next week.

Frankie said before going into the I’m A Celebrity jungle, “I’m a touch nervous, but I wouldn’t be human if I wasn’t. My wife says I have the concentration span of a flea. Sometimes I agree with her. I feel sorry for my campmates because I’ll arrive in there full of energy, already well fed, so I hope I give them a bit of my energy. I haven’t got any strategy – just try to survive.”

Frankie also said his role in camp would be “to have fun with everyone, I’m a happy-go-lucky person,” and that his dream camper would be Robbie Williams.

Can the champion jockey make a winning comeback in the race to be crowned I’m A Celebrity King of the Jungle? With Frankie Dettori, anything is possible.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

With Frankie Dettori set to enter the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! jungle on ITV in 2023, we take a look at the reasons why the Italian jockey is such a favourite with the public — and it’s not just for his flying dismounts…

1. Frankie Dettori is a mischievous Milanese

Lanfranco Dettori, the son of Italian champion jockey Gianfranco Dettori and a circus performer mother, was born in 1970 and moved to Great Britain at the age of 14 to work for Newmarket trainer Luca Cumani. The British racing industry has enjoyed “The Frankie Factor” ever since.

2. He’s been winning races for over 30 years

Frankie, who measures in at 5ft 4in, became the first teenager since Lester Piggott to record 100 victories. He has since been champion jockey three times and won the Derby twice.

3. Frankie Dettori is a national celebrity

He took part in the 2013 series of Celebrity Big Brother during a six-month spell on the sidelines after he was found guilty of taking a prohibited substance. He trailed in seventh. He was also team captain on A Question Of Sport for two years.

4. If at first you don’t succeed…

He finally won the Derby on his 15th attempt. In 2007 he rode the Peter Chapple-Hyam trained Authorized to victory at Epsom.

5. He’s bounced back from adversity

In 2000, he and Ray Cochrane, who later became his agent, were involved in a plane crash at Newmarket when he was on his way to Goodwood. The pilot was killed but Frankie escaped with a fractured ankle.

6. His trademark flying dismounts

Frankie is well-known for performing a flamboyant flying dismount in the winner’s enclousure after his big-race victories — perhaps thanks to his acrobatic genes?

7. He’s bred a National Hunt champion

Dodging Bullets, who Frankie bred out of Nova Cygni, by his Irish 2000 Guineas winner Dubawi, won the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in 2015.

8. His “magnificent seven” remains a phenomenal achievement

His crowning glory came on Champions Day at Ascot in 1996 when he rode all seven winners on the card at odds of 10,168-1.

9. Frankie Dettori’s retirement turnaround…

Frankie had previously said that he would hang up his silks at the end of this year, but the celebrated Flat jockey announced on 12 October, that he would instead be heading to the US to take up race-riding opportunities there and elsewhere on the international circuit – which is great, because it means we don’t have to wave goodbye to his career in the saddle just yet.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Three-time champion jockey Frankie Dettori has reversed his decision to retire and he will continue race-riding in 2024.

The 52-year-old had previously said that he would hang up his silks at the end of this year, but the celebrated Flat jockey announced today (12 October), that he would instead be heading to the US to take up race-riding opportunities there and elsewhere on the international circuit.

“I’ve decided to prolong my career,” he said. “I am simply not ready to retire completely. I’m still enjoying riding and I want to carry on for a while on the international circuit.”

Frankie said the decision had been playing on his mind for several weeks after he rode so many big winners during the summer – his most successful season for several years.

“My family were part of my decision,” explained Frankie. “When I announced I was going to retire last December, I expected things to slow down but it went the other way. I just kept on winning. In the summer I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’ve only got two months to go and I’m not ready to stop’. I did not expect the success I had this year.

“But of course, by this time I’d told the whole world I was stopping, I’d said my farewells. So I talked to my parents, my wife and children, then we started the process of organising it all, getting a US visa, renting a house… So it was in my mind for a while, but I wanted to make sure everything was organised.

“First and foremost I’m doing it because of all the success I’ve had this year, that’s what’s making me carry on,” said Frankie, who spent four months in the US last year and will be based in Los Angeles, near Santa Anita racecourse. “It would have been much easier to retire if I didn’t ride a winner or couldn’t get a ride! But fortunately it’s snowballed out of my control and I’m enjoying winning.

“If you’re happy in your head, the body keeps with it. I’m enjoying what I’m doing. It’s been a crazy and emotional year, with the devil and the angel on my shoulder saying retire, don’t retire. So I’m going on for a bit longer.”

Frankie Dettori’s retirement: a return to Ascot next year?

Although the celebrated jockey still intends to ride for the last time in Britain at next week’s Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot (21 October), he cannot rule out returning to the UK or Europe to race-ride in future.

“Emotionally, Champions Day is going to be difficult because I have to separate all the emotion with the riding, but it is my favourite track and I will have everyone I know there, so there’s extra pressure but it’s my last goodbye really,” said Frankie Dettori. “I will shed tears of sadness and happiness, it will be the last time I walk into the jockeys’ room and I’ll be walking out with amazing memories.

“At the moment, I can’t think that far ahead,” he added, about next year’s Royal Ascot. “I’m going to America, where I’ll ride for a bit – it could be three months or three years, it depends how successful I am and it depends on my body. If things go bad, I’ll be straight back! The weather’s nice and you don’t have to travel. But getting a ride in the Kentucky Derby would be my main ambition.

“What happens in the future, I don’t know. Everyone keeps asking me about coming back for Royal Ascot and it depends how it falls in the American calendar. I’m not going to go back and forwards every weekend. So at the moment I’m committed to staying in America – it’s a new challenge to get out of my system.

“I have had the most amazing career and I head to British Champions Day with some brilliant rides,” said Frankie, whose most celebrated achievement was riding all seven winners at Ascot in 1996. “This will mark my final day riding in Britain, after which I will head to America for the Breeders’ Cup and then Melbourne for the Carnival.

“The current plan is to return to ride at Santa Anita in the States at the end of the year. How long I continue race-riding overseas, and where my American journey takes me, no one can predict.

“I’m going to enjoy Saturday and move on to the next chapter.”

Frankie Dettori: ‘I’ll miss hearing the charm of Go on, Frankie!’

When asked what he would miss the most about riding in the UK, Frankie said, “The public.

“It took me 30 years to create this amazing fanbase and it’s selfish but every time I ride, all I hear is my name! That might annoy my colleagues a bit! But I’ll miss the charm of ‘Go on, Frankie!’”

At a Flying Frankie pop-up on London’s South Bank, organised by Great British Racing and Qipco British Champions Series to mark the end of his British career, Frankie met his fans and demonstrated his signature flying dismount – from a trampoline.

Frankie has been one of the most popular and successful jockeys of all time in a career spanning more than three decades. He burst on to the British racing scene in 1985 aged just 15, going on to win the five British Classics multiple times and recorded 3.365 winners in Great Britain alone, putting him in the top five British-based Flat jockeys of all time.

He has enjoyed a remarkably successful farewell season. He recently achieved his 500th winner at his home track, Newmarket.

There have been rumours circulating that Frankie might be entering the jungle this year as part of “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here…”, but “I’m still waiting for the phone call!” he said. “It’s still a rumour at the moment!”

As always, Frankie Dettori is full of surprises, so watch this space.

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Hare Park has come onto the property market to rent and it is the home of none other than top Flat jockey, Frankie Dettori, who is in his final year of race riding prior to his retirement.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, a post-retirement “jet-setting life” is the reason behind Frankie and his wife Catherine putting their home onto the rental market.

This property is located a short distance from the village of Six Mile Bottom in Suffolk. The village is located six miles south of Newmarket, the home of British horseracing, and eight miles east of Cambridge. For the commuter, there is a local train service available from the neighbouring village of Dullingham, one stop to Cambridge. Whittlesford Parkway and Cambridge North stations offer immediate access to mainline services to London and the national rail network. Stansted Airport is 45 minutes away while Cambridge Airport is just over 10 minutes away.

Local equestrian facilities include the Peter O’Sullevan Arena in Newmarket (10 minutes), Suffolk Equestrian Centre (40 minutes), and Topthorn Arena (one hour).

If you like your hunting, head out with either the Thurlow or Suffolk, and if you require a vet, the experts at both Newmarket Equine Hospital and Rossdales are nearby, three and seven miles away respectively.

Hare Park is on available to rent with Jackson Stops with a price of £15,000pcm. Let’s take a look around…

The equestrian facilities include a stable block with five 12×12 stables, a hay store, three wood chip turnout pens, seven paddocks enclosed by post and rail fencing and two further donkey stables with storage and an additional turnout area. There is also an arena. The larger stable block is not included in the rental.

Hare Park Stud House has a circular driveway providing parking for a large number of vehicles and access to the garaging, self-contained one bedroom annexe above, grounds, paddocks and house.

The private grounds, which extend to five acres, have been well maintained and provide paddocks and lawns. A large terrace adjoins the house and leads to a heated swimming pool.

The house was completed in 2018 and has westerly views to Cambridge and the surrounding countryside.

With over 10,000 sq. ft of flexible accommodation, the house was configured and built for family living and entertaining.

Designed in the form of a country manor house in a Georgian style, the house features a reception hall with a marble staircase and solid oak floor. The is also a double aspect sitting room and a family room with Bi-fold doors onto the terrace.

There is a triple aspect open plan kitchen/dining room with fitted base and eye level units, granite worktops with upstands, an island with built-in cupboards, Belfast sink, breakfast bar and two under counter fridges, integrated Miele appliances including five combi ovens, dishwasher, four-door Aga and walk-in pantry.

In addition, there is a cinema room, study, cloakroom and ancillary accommodation including a kitchen/diner, boot room, laundry room, shower room and stairs down to the games room.

Upstairs there is an aspect principal bedroom has a walk-in dressing room with a further walk-through wardrobe and en-suite bathroom. There are six further bedrooms (five with walk-in wardrobes and en-suites).

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Frankie Dettori lifted the roof at Royal Ascot today (22 June) when winning the prestigious Group One Gold Cup aboard Courage Mon Ami for trainers John and Thady Gosden and owner Wathnan Racing.

“It’s unbelievable – I can’t hear myself talking, there’s so much clapping,” said a euphoric Frankie, who was adding to a victory here yesterday on what is his final year in the saddle ahead of his planned retirement.

The win was all the more impressive given the fact that this was just Courage Mon Ami’s fourth career start – horses usually have a great deal more experience to be able to win this race.

“I thought that this was a bridge too far going from handicaps to a Group race, but we had a great run and really, he’s still a baby,” explained Frankie.

Courage Mon Ami, a four-year-old gelding by Frankel and out of Lemon Drop Kid mare Crimson Ribbon, is now unbeaten in all four of his starts and this was his first time stepping up in trip to 2m3f, having previously run over 1m4f and 1m6f. He came from the back of the field today to beat second-placed Coltrane, who was ridden by Oisin Murphy and trained by Andrew Balding, by three quarters of a length.

John Gosden said: “We didn’t know whether he’d stay the trip today as you can’t practise over two and a half miles at home but he stayed cool, Frankie saved every inch on the inside and luckily he managed to wriggle through to the front.

“It was a great ride from Frankie. He has had a phenomenal career – we have been working together on and off for 30 years and we’ve only had one argument during that time – we’ve kicked on with life.”

Don’t miss the full report from Royal Ascot 2023 in the 29 June issue of Horse & Hound magazine, plus we will be bringing you all the top stories from the meeting as and when they happen on horseandhound.co.uk

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Frankie Dettori has triumphed at this year’s Royal Ascot, in what will be his final appearance at the meeting owing to his impending retirement at the end of 2023.

Riding Gregory, who is trained by father and son duo John and Thady Gosden, and owned by Wathnan Racing, Frankie scooped the Group Two Queen’s Vase race by one-and-a-half lengths today (21 June).

“I thought this winner was never going to come this year,” said Frankie, referring to the fact that this was his 13th ride of the meeting and he hit the bar on day one yesterday riding three second-placed horses, but no winners. “I thought this horse was my best chance and he really stuck his neck out. To ride a winner at my last Ascot is fantastic.”

Frankie’s career has been a stellar one and remarkably, his win on Gregory today was his 78th Royal Ascot victory, some 33 years after his first aboard Markofdistinction, trained by Luca Cumani, in the Queen Anne Stakes in 1990.

“I’ve had an amazing reaction from the crowd at this meeting,” explained Frankie Dettori. “I’m both sad and happy, but at least I’ve got a few more days to come yet.”

Thady Gosden said that Gregory, who is by Golden Horn and out of a Galileo mare, has been a bit of a “slow learner” but that he “got the job done today”.

Frankie Dettori’s frustrating first day at Royal Ascot ended with the stewards handing him a nine-day ban for careless riding when he was deemed to have caused significant interference to multiple horses in the Wolferton Stakes aboard fifth-place finisher Saga. The ban means Dettori will be unable to ride between 4 and 12 July, but he revealed to ITV Racing’s Opening Show that he intended to appeal the ban.

Don’t miss the full report from Royal Ascot 2023 in the 29 June issue of Horse & Hound magazine, plus we will be bringing you all of the top stories from the meeting as and when they happen on horseandhound.co.uk

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Frankie Dettori made his final ride in the Epsom Oaks a winning one when riding the John and Thady Gosden-trained Soul Sister to a comfortable victory. This is Frankie’s final year in the saddle, making this Group One Betfred Oaks victory a particularly poignant one.

Frankie said to ITV after achieving his seventh victory in this prestigious race: “That means a lot – seven Oaks winners. Lady Bamford is a big supporter of mine and in my last year that is my second Classic winner – unbelievable.” The 52-year-old jockey also won the first Classic of the season, the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, on Chaldean.

Frankie enjoyed further Group One success earlier in the day when piloting Emily Upjohn to victory in the Coronation Cup, also for John and Thady Gosden.

“I have ridden two great fillies this afternoon – Emily Upjohn and this one. I just want to soak it in now!” said Frankie. “It was a bit messy at the beginning and I didn’t want to go too wide. William [Buick] stopped quickly and I had to go wide, but I kept her balanced and she did the rest.”

Frankie’s previous Oaks winners are Balanchine (1994), Moonshell (1995), Kazzia (2002), Enable (2017), Anapurna (2019) and Snowfall (2021). He has now ridden 23 English Classic winners.

Of how the race panned out, Frankie said: “I followed Buick and he dived very quickly around Tattenham Corner and so I had to take evasive actions and swing right. We got organised and sat quiet between the three and the one and a half furlong poles and then I was just hoping that if I pressed the button she would go – and she did go. She’s shown so much class.

“If I stayed on one more year, I may get close to Lester [Piggott]’s 30 [Classic wins]. I’m joking! It’s incredible and I’ve had some fantastic rides. Emily and Soul Sister mean it’s two in the bag and we’ve one to go with Arrest tomorrow.

“It is mental, I’ll be honest with you. I thought I had three good rides in the three Group One races, but to have two in the bag already with the Derby to go is crazy. I’m stuck for words!”

Soul Sister is owned and was bred by Lady Bamford, who is a long-term supporter of racing. She led her mare in to the winner’s enclosure and was unsurprisingly delighted with the victory having previously enjoyed Oaks success with Sariska in 2009.

This was a fourth Oaks victory for John Gosden, who now trains alongside his son Thady.

“I could see she was coming strongly, but I didn’t know if she’d stay the mile and a half, but she did, and she stayed it well, which she needed,” said John. “This last half furlong up the hill will find them out, but she stuck her neck out and she’s a classy filly.

“Her family are milers, but looking at her pedigree I saw Darshaan under the third dam, so I thought there was a chance she’d stay. I didn’t know until the two marker what was going to happen, but it was a strongly run race and she’s beaten two nice fillies, seeing it out well.”

Of plans for the future with Soul Sister, John explained: “I think she’s versatile enough to go a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half. It’s great for her to win a Classic for the owners, who bred her at their own farm, and let me tell you, that’s not an easy game. It’s hard enough to get a mare in foal, let alone breed a horse like that.”

Soul Sister went off at odds of 11/4, while short-priced favourite Savethelastdance (5/6) finished one-and-three-quarter lengths down in second under Ryan Moore for trainer Aidan O’Brien in the Epsom Oaks. 40/1 shot Caernarfon finished a creditable third, just a head behind Savethelastdance, under Connor Beasley for trainer Jack Channon.

Aidan O’Brien said of Savethelastdance’s performance: “She has run well, but she obviously handles soft ground and stays very well. We were very happy with her really. She has a lot of options and we can do whatever. She is a big honest filly that stays very well and handles soft ground when it comes. She handles good ground, but soft ground doesn’t bother her.”

Jack Channon said of his Epsom Oaks result: “At the top of the hill she was travelling so well, but you could see that Frankie was travelling just as well. We picked up just as well as her [Soul Sister] up until about the furlong pole, and she probably hasn’t quite got up the hill.

“She’s a very good filly, we’re blessed to have her in the yard, and it’s just a massive thank you to everyone in the yard who has done such a great job.”

2023 Epsom Oaks result: Soul Sister’s breeding

Soul Sister is bred in the purple; by the unbeaten Frankel, out of a Dansili mare named Dream Peace. Frankel needs little introduction – he clocked almost £3m in prize money during his unbeaten run of 14 races. His victories included the Royal Lodge Stakes, the Dewhurst Stakes, the Greenham Stakes, the 2,000 Guineas, the St James’s Palace Stakes, the Sussex Stakes in both 2011 and 2012, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, the Lockinge Stakes, the Queen Anne Stakes, the International Stakes and the Champion Stakes.

Dream Peace has proved herself to be a very useful broodmare with a handful of successful progeny, including Soul Sister. Dream Peace clocked over £500,000 in prize money while racing in the USA, winning four of her 18 races, finishing second in three others and third on eight other occasions.

Read the full report from the Derby meeting in the 8 June issue of Horse & Hound magazine.

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori has announced that he will retire from racing in November 2023 at the Breeders’ Cup in California.

Although he recently turned 52, the announcement still came as a shock as Frankie shared his news live on ITV Racing.

“Next year – 2023 – will be my final professional year as a jockey. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while,” he said.

Frankie is planning to ride around the world in between now and the start of the Flat season proper in the UK next spring.

“The plan is I’ll ride on Boxing Day in Santa Anita and then I’ll spend about 10 weeks in California,” he explained. “After that, I’ll ride in Dubai and Saudi Arabia and then I’ll come home to Newmarket and ride right the way through the British season.

“Next year will be my last Guineas, my last Derby and my last Royal Ascot, and so on and so forth, and then I’ll finish riding in the UK at either Champions Day at Ascot or in Newmarket, and then my final farewell as a professional rider will be in California in the Breeders’ Cup.

“I have had an amazing career. You can carry on for one more year, one more year and then one more year, but I feel this is the right time and I’ll be young enough to do something else.

“I want to finish with all my best powers. I think at the moment I’m still good enough to compete with the best.”

Frankie Dettori retirement: “facing the facts”

Frankie told the Racing Post he had been “facing the facts” as he approached his 52nd birthday, and that he wanted the public to know his plan as he wants a “celebration” and to “really give it one more go”.

Frankie is one of the most famous jockeys of all time. He rode his first winner in Italy on 16 November 1986 and has since clocked up an enviable list of victories with 282 Group Ones, including 21 British Classics, 14 Breeders’ Cups, four Dubai World Cups, two Epsom Derbys and six Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe victories to boot.

He was British Flat champion jockey three times, in 1994, 1995 and 2004, and, to date has notched up 3,336 British winners.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Flat-racing supremo, Frankie Dettori, features in this week’s H&H interview (17 November issue), where he provides fascinating insight into his life and 35-year career so far. Here we pick out just three highlights from the interview, as told to Kate Johnson.

Frankie on his proudest moment

It happened at his local Pony Club with his daughter Ella. She was competing in a pairs jumping competition but her partner hadn’t turned up.

“I’ll do it for you,” he told her before checking, “What do I have to do?”

Ella explained: “If we jump properly we get points.”

“Whatever,” he remembers thinking vaguely.

He followed his daughter’s instructions, and – surprise – they won the competition. When both of their names were announced over the loudspeaker, the other mothers “went berserk”, he says, “as though I’d taken a meal out of their mouths! It was just a rosette!”

Frankie on social media

“I completely hate it, I just learnt how to text a couple of months ago,” he says. “Whoever invented the mobile phone should be shot instantly.”

He doesn’t even have Instagram on his phone, but passes on photographs to his secretary to upload instead. As he says, “That way if I get abuse, I won’t hear it.”

Frankie on Enable

The great, and now retired, Enable was partnered by Frankie her in nearly all her races, including 14 of her 15 wins, 11 of which were Grade Ones. The bond between them was deep. She created specialness all around her. Her groom Imran Shahwani arrived from Pakistan with no English and having never sat on a horse. Trainer John Gosden took him out for an hour every day after third lot, teaching him to ride on ponies. Imran has described Enable as “a once in a lifetime horse”. Frankie snipped her tail (and mane) and cried for two days when she retired, and describes her as the love of his life. He was never happier than communing quietly in her stable and feeding her Polos.

“She had everything,” he says with unmistakable pride. “She could take you on and fight, she could do anything, she had brilliance.”

‘Show me how good you are’: Frankie Dettori’s tumultuous life is laid bare in new film

Leap of Faith: Frankie Dettori’s autobiography

£20

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The charismatic jockey Frankie Dettori, “the rock star of racing” has been a much-loved household name for three decades, one of those personalities you think you know pretty well. But Dettori, a beautifully crafted new Frankie Dettori film charting his remarkable life story – which received its world premier in London on 15 November – provides some real eye-opening segments and previously untold footage as it lays bare his rise from teenage apprentice to the world’s greatest jockey.

Of course, there are wonderful celebrations of an exceptional career in the saddle, which has been peppered by his notorious flying dismounts. His Magnificent Seven at Ascot in 1996, his love affair with supermare Enable and his long-awaited Derby triumph with Authorized are engagingly catalogued and from the frenetic opening scenes in Paris, this is a fast-paced journey into the inner-sanctum of the racing world.

But it is the through-the-keyhole insight into his home life, the demons behind his happy exterior and the often torturous relationship with his authoritarian father, the celebrated Italian jockey Gianfranco Dettori, that proved most poignant. The bar that Gianfranco set for his son has proved unattainably high, but Dettori insists he’s grateful to him for shaping his career, as illustrated by their intriguing daily post-race phone exchanges.

The tears that accompany the harrowing retelling of the plane crash that nearly killed him and fellow jockey Ray Cochrane in 2000 come as a surprise but it is the rollercoaster of emotions that Frankie serves up in this film which underline just how much he is prepared to expose to his audience.

The sub-title of the film is “Show me how good you are” and this flyaway exchange of words from his wife Catherine proves to be the catalyst for lifting him out of one of his darkest spirals in his life and into what has arguably been one of his greatest eras on the track. It’s both stirring and uplifting.

This is obviously a film for racing fans to savour, but the content of director Anthony Wonke’s documentary proves an enthralling insight into the mind of a top sportsman, who has endured titanic struggles and triumphant comebacks as he continuously pushes himself to new heights of success.

Like Frankie Dettori himself, this big screen film is wonderful entertainment.

Dettori is out now in selected cinemas and on Blu-ray, DVD and to download.

Leap of Faith: Frankie Dettori’s autobiography

£20

Happy 53rd Birthday, Frankie Dettori! 17 pictures to illustrate his glittering career

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A glittering array of stars from the world of racing arrived in Mayfair, London, last night (15th November) for the world premiere of Dettori, a film charting the remarkable story of Frankie Dettori.

The charismatic jockey has worked for the past three years with acclaimed film director Anthony Wonke — who was also behind the making of the AP McCoy movie Being AP — and the result is an intimate and moving cinematic documentary that looks set to thrill racing fans.

“Trying to make history – it’s what I love, it’s what I do,” said the jockey, who has ridden more than 3,000 winners in a career spanning three decades.

Joining Frankie on the red carpet at the Curzon Cinema in Mayfair for the event were trainers Luca Cumani and John Gosden, both of whom have been pivotal in shaping the spirited teenage apprentice into one of the world’s greatest all-time jockeys.

His wife Catherine (pictured below) and his five children Leo, Mia, Ella, Rocco and Tallula Dettori also sat down to enjoy the film, although Frankie revealed afterwards that his Italian father Gianfranco Dettori, whose tumultuous relationship with his son is at times brutally laid bare in segments of footage, was yet to see the documentary.

Anthony Oppenheimer, owner of 2015 Derby winner Golden Horn, was also in attendance. In the film, Frankie reveals that the colt was the first horse he rode when rejoining trainer John Gosden, helping to propel him out of one of the darkest spells in his life.

“It was a really frightening time,” says Catherine in the film, setting Frankie the life-defining challenge: “Now that we need you, show me how good you are.”

Frankie said to presenter Nick Luck in an equally revealing question and answer session after the premiere that he was thrilled with how the film had turned out. Director Anthony Wonke explained that he had originally intended to finish it within a year but last year’s lockdown allowed him the luxury of extra time to spend with his subjects, and the resulting footage of Frankie going stir crazy during racing’s cessation for nearly three months last year is just one of the many fascinating insights into his home life.

The film is released on the back of Frankie’s new autobiography, Leap Of Faith, giving his many fans a feast to savour in the run-up to Christmas.

Dettori is out now in selected cinemas and on Blu-ray, DVD and download.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Leap of Faith: Frankie Dettori’s autobiography

Author: Frankie Dettori

Published: 2021

Available as paperback, hardcover, Audiobook or Kindle edition

View now at amazon.co.uk

About the book

This is Frankie Dettori’s second autobiography – the first, Frankie, was originally published in 2004 and charted his rise from stable lad to champion jockey, revealing the endless hours of hard work, the fun along the way, and his determination to succeed against the odds. This book continues the story – the successes, as well as personal anguish, recovery and restoration – both in and out of the saddle.

Review

It must be tricky to work out how, when writing a second autobiography, to avoid a great deal of repetition. Many don’t pull it off. However, Frankie Dettori and his ghostwriter, the novelist Boris Starling, ace it in Leap of Faith, published 17 years after Frankie’s first effort. Its use of the present tense and short blocks of text give it an immediacy and intensity that reflect the world’s most famous jockey’s own personality, and the early years of his career are dealt with in a light but deft manner.

Frankie’s relationship with his father – himself a very successful jockey – runs, ribbon-like, through the book and is clearly intrinsic to everything about Frankie, on and off the racecourse stage. It feels like a very personal book – quite different to many standard sporting autobiographies; any even casual racing fan knows what Frankie has achieved, but this gives us, I think, real insight into who he is, why he is like that and why he has, at times, been his own worst enemy.

He doesn’t shy away from the scandals – failed drugs tests, the break with Godolphin, and the “resurrection” of his career at the hands of John Gosden in recent years.

About the author

Frankie Dettori is an Italian Flat racing jockey. He has been crowned Champion Jockey on three occasions and has ridden more than 500 Group winners.

Verdict

A highly enjoyable – and enlightening – read.

View now at amazon.co.uk

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Two jockeys with a combined age of 104 win the 1000 and 2000 Guineas, and it’s a 20th Classic for Frankie Dettori

THE domestic Flat season may not quite have burst into life at the weekend in the shape of a superstar Guineas winner but, on Sunday, Newmarket’s Rowley Mile, empty except for a handful of owners, at least echoed to the whoops of a victorious Frankie Dettori.

In what was a theme of the weekend, both in Britain and America, there was no substitute for experience; Dettori, 50, won the 1000 Guineas a day after Kevin Manning, 54, took the 2000 Guineas on Poetic Flare for Jim Bolger, who will be 80 on Christmas Day, while the Kentucky Derby was won by Johnny Velazquez, 49, on Medina Spirit.

The oldest jockey to have won a Classic is Lester Piggott, who was 56 when he won the 2000 Guineas on Rodrigo De Triano in 1992.

Victory for Mother Earth, a Zoffany filly and Aidan O’Brien’s de facto second string in the race behind the once-raced Santa Barbara, was pretty smooth.

Dettori held her up, sent her on from the top of the hill, and came home a cosy length ahead of Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Saffron Beach and Richard Fahey’s gritty Fev Rover. The inexperienced Santa Barbara was fourth with the joint-favourite Alcohol Free not far away in fifth.

“I was super-excited to win that!” said Dettori (stating the obvious). “I didn’t have the pressure to ride the favourite and had a very willing partner who I knew would give me everything.

“Aidan gave me a lot of confidence this morning and said to forget about Santa Barbara and just ride my own race. He told me to get cover and I did; I forgot about the favourite and just kicked at the top of the hill.

“I knew she’d stay really well and I won – it’s as simple as that! It’s my 20th Classic [in Britain] at 50. I’m only 10 behind Lester now so I’ve got plenty of time!

“It’s great to do it at Newmarket. I’m extremely happy and I got lucky to get that ride. Lester was 56 so I’ve got six years left and Kevin won yesterday which makes me feel young – come on the oldies!”

Aidan O’Brien has now won five of the last six Guineas – a run broken only by Richard Hannon and Billesdon Brook.

“Mother Earth is a very good filly and always was,” he said. “It was unfair to the favourite [Santa Barbara] to come but we had to come with the view to coming back over here for the Oaks.

“Santa Barbara is only a baby. She was just green in the dip, but after having one easy run it was a great run.

“Mother Earth is a very consistent filly – she had a great run in America last time out last year and that was very professional. Mother Earth will stick to a mile and we’ll step Santa Barbara up in trip – the latter was always going to go to the Oaks next time and this filly was always going to go to the Irish Guineas next. That was the plan.

“We won’t go again with Santa Barbara before Epsom. We felt that she would learn as much coming here as she would for three runs, but it was a risk doing it that she was going to get beaten.”

A RENAISSANCE FOR BOLGER

WHILE some trainers have spells when they are out of form for weeks, months or even seasons, O’Brien’s period in the doldrums lasted a day. His three runners in the 2000 Guineas finished down the field and if this year’s Classic was memorable for Ballydoyle it was for the fact that it was the first time since 2000 the stable did not have a placed runner.

Three horses had begun to draw clear hitting the rising ground – Poetic Flare, Charlie Appleby’s Master Of The Seas and Jessica Harrington’s Lucky Vega. Through most of the last half furlong Master Of The Seas seemed to have a narrow advantage, but Poetic Flare came back at him and it was on the nod, a short-head in the Irish colt’s favour with Lucky Vega a neck back in third.

The impression was that there was not much between them, and had you run the race another day they might have finished in a different order. At the moment it would appear that an average pool of two-year-olds has not suddenly thrown up an outstanding three-year-old.

Nevertheless, a Classic is a Classic no matter how narrow the margin of victory and that in no way diminished the achievement of the remarkable Bolger and his son-in-law Manning.

A lot of people are in nursing homes at Bolger’s age but, having had a relatively quiet couple of years since Poetic Flare’s sire, Dawn Approach (by his Derby winner New Approach) won the race in 2013, he is having a renaissance – back home he still has to unleash Mac Swiney, the Vertem Futurity winner.

“I thought he was beaten! It’s a big day for us, right up there with the best we’ve had,” said Bolger. “Poetic Flare wasn’t ready for the Dewhurst last year. I thought he was a little bit fitter than he was and I was hoping he’d run a big race and get the experience of running at that level. He ran out of wind about a furlong and a half down but we were very pleased in the run and didn’t lose faith in him.”

Asked if he might now run in the Irish 2000 Guineas, Bolger added: “I’m not sure – there’s nothing between him and Mac Swiney so it’s going to be a very hard call.

“At the moment I’m not thinking about going anywhere except the mile. He has buckets of speed and I even entered him in the Commonwealth Cup in the unlikely event that he

didn’t stay, as he’s that quick and you always have some doubts about whether the very quick ones will stay or not. The St James’s Palace would definitely be on the cards.

“It’s a wonderful day. In our case it’s fairly necessary with the way I do things! It very much carries on that Dawn Approach line, and I have two half-sisters of Poetic Flare as well.”

This report can also be read in this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 6 May

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White Horse Stables is a six-bedroom country house near Newmarket in Suffolk with enviable equestrian and leisure facilities, set in 15.4 acres.

The historic family property was the home to top Flat jockey Frankie Dettori and his family until 2015. Formerly The Old White Horse Inn, it was built in 1905 for the Earl of Ellesmere by English architect Charles Voysey.

The detached, Grade II-listed period cottage boasts far-reaching views and is set in beautiful gardens and grounds. White Horse Stables, Newmarket is on the market with estate agent Jackson-Stops with a price tag of £2.5m.

The equestrian facilities include a traditional yard, complete with eight stables, wash-down area, tackroom, feedroom and a haystore, plus a floodlit sand school and 14 post-and-rail paddocks.

There is also an attractive three-bedroom property, called Honeysuckle Cottage, which can be approached via a separate entrance, which is ideal for staff accommodation, additional family living or renting out to provide a source of income.

Additional guest accommodation can also be found over the garage with a spacious double bedroom and en-suite shower room.

White Horse Stables is part-elevated in the village of Stetchworth and enjoys countryside views. Newmarket, the headquarters of British horseracing, is a stone’s throw away and is home to many racing institutions, including the National Stud, the National Horseracing Museum, Tattersalls and the Jockey Club. While top-class racing can be watched at the two local racecourses; the Rowley Mile and the July Course.

Approached via electric gates, the property boasts ample parking and manicured lawns. Two terraces adjoin the rear of the house with wall heaters, mounted speakers and an awning — providing a perfect setting for alfresco dining and entertaining. There is also an indoor swimming pool and leisure suite.

Inside, there is a spacious reception hall, plus well-sized reception rooms, an integrated kitchen opening to a vast split-level dining and entertaining area.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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BBC Radio 4’s programme Desert Island Discs is something of a national treasure, where ‘castaways’ are asked which eight records they would take with them to a desert island.

The brainchild of broadcaster Roy Plomley, the first programme was broadcast on 29 January 1942 — and during the past 78 years it has given us an addictive insight into the lives of a number of horsemen and horse-lovers.

What inspires them? What gives them their drive? What makes them laugh? And how have horses helped them during their lives?

Here’s our pick of the equestrian Desert Island Discs since the show’s inception…

Mark Johnston, recrod-breaking Flat trainer, on getting into trouble for riding

Broadcast in 2020

“Dad bought my sister a pony when we were younger, but I didn’t get one and I think that was probably a sexism thing in that he thought girls should be more into ponies than boys. I wasn’t allowed to ride my sister’s pony, so I used to climb through a window with a bridle — the window was too small to get the saddle through — and take the pony for a ride. All hell broke loose if I got caught, but that’s how I learnt to ride.”

Listen here

Jilly Cooper, author of equestrian ‘bonkbusters’, on her first pony Rufus

Broadcast in 2016

“Daddy went to get him from Cornwall and so I came back from school terribly excited — I must have been about eight — and I rushed into the field and said ‘Rufus, Rufus’ and he promptly bit me. He was a monster. He was also still a stallion and so every time I went out for a walk with him he would rush up to a mare and mount it. So sadly Rufus was sold…”

Listen here

Comedian Lee Mack on his foray into the world of racing

Broadcast in 2013

“I was thrown out of college at 16 because I’d failed all my O-Levels and I went home thinking, what am I going to do with the rest of my life? I put the telly on and horseracing was on. I’d had a mild interest in racing because my granddad had liked to bet and I used to watch the Grand National, but that was it. I’d never had any horse experience in my life. But by coincidence in my home town they trained Red Rum. So I thought, I’ll do that then. So having turned the telly on to phoning up the stables it was probably about 60 seconds. And the first horse I ever rode was Red Rum. He was retired and my mate who was working at the yard said ‘right, it’s about time you sat on a horse,’ and so I jumped on a horse. And he said: ‘You know who that is don’t you?’ They all looked the same to me but he said: “That’s Red Rum’.”

Listen here

Broadcaster Clare Balding on showing off her Shetland to The Queen

Broadcast in 2013

“My father trained racehorses for The Queen for his whole career, and my grandfather had done and my brother does now, and the Queen Mother had horses with us too. And as owners want to do, they wanted to see the horses and talk to the people who look after them. Everything would be spotless, and the horses would be gleaming and they would be all ready for morning gallops or evening stables. And [when The Queen came] I used to go and get the Shetland pony Valkyrie that we used to ride, that had been a present from The Queen, and bring her down from her yard to line up with the racehorses for The Queen to look at.”

Listen here

Jockey Frankie Dettori on the day in September 1996 when he rode all seven winners at Ascot

Broadcast in 2006

“That day the Queen Elizabeth Stakes was the big race and basically I was focusing on trying to win that, and I knew I had another couple of chances on the card. But never in a million years did I think I was going to win the seventh race. I was actually so relaxed about it, I was joking about it — I could not see the horse winning. Crossing the line with Fujiyama Crest I remember being exhausted, because of the mental pressure of a day like that. By the time I’d won the seventh, I didn’t even remember the first three.”

Listen here

Three-time champion jump jockey Ricard Dunwoody on one of his first ever rides on a donkey called Seamus

Broadcast in 1999

“My father put me on a donkey one day and we were walking through some fields. He went to shut a gate and let me go and the donkey bolted — I hung on for sa long as I could, but eventually fell off. My father came up to me, expecting me to be in floods of tears, but I had a big smile on my face and got up and said ‘daddy, I fall off like a jockey’, and I think I’ve been doing it ever since!”

Listen here

Fifteen time National Hunt champion trainer Martin Pipe on his late start to riding

Broadcast in 1999

“I was very mollycoddled as a child — I wasn’t even allowed to ride a bike to school and I wasn’t allowed to ride a horse. The first time I got on a horse, I was 17 and was put on a racehorse, with no clue what I was meant to be doing — I used to fall off every day.”

Listen here

Former jockey and best-selling author Dick Francis on hand delivering his work to royalty

Broadcast in 1998

“I hand deliver each new novel I have written to the Queen Mother each year. I have it ready in time for when we go to Royal Ascot, and my wife Mary and I are invited up to the royal box so that I can hand over the new copy. The next time I see the Queen Mother she remarks about it, so I know she has read it.”

Listen here

The late racing commentator Peter O’Sullevan on the pressure of the Grand National

Broadcast in 1997

“The Grand National isn’t necessarily the hardest race to commentate on, but it’s the most fraught. It’s the one that one is most anxious about. [After the first one I ever did back in 1947 when there were 57 runners, and I just had a basic pair of binoculars], I promised myself, and it’s a promise I broke, that if I got through the next year’s National I wouldn’t subject myself to this ordeal again. I found it so devastatingly inhibiting and frightening, that one could get it wrong, and that it would be the most appalling thing to misinterpret the race.”

Listen here

Former top National Hunt trainer Jenny Pitman on riding as a child

Broadcast in 1995

“People would send us ponies to break, handle or ride when we were growing up. Occasionally dad would be driving along and see a camp of travellers on the side of the road and he’d stop and do a deal with them, buy a pony and we’d take it home.”

Listen here

Jockey and eight-time National Hunt champion Peter Scudamore on his mother’s will for him to have an alternative career

Broadcast in 1994

“If my mother had had her way, I would have ended up as an estate agent. Even when I was going well as a jockey, if I went round for Sunday lunch with her, she’d still ask when I was going to get a proper job. She wanted me to be an estate agent so much that she used to feed me plenty so that I would be too heavy to be a jockey, but by the time I was a teenager, I’d cottoned on to what was happening.”

Listen here

Eventer Ginny Elliot on how riding helped her overcome an eating disorder

Broadcast 1986

“When I was at boarding school I went on a diet and just didn’t stop. I used to put bricks in my pocket when I was weighed and take doggy bags into school meals and drop the food in them. I did everything not to eat anything. It wasn’t until my mother came back on leave that she discovered what had happened because I’d obviously got very thin, but with the school uniform it was difficult to actually notice. And she took me home and she said either you eat or you don’t ride, and it was the fact that I wanted to ride that made me eat again.”

Listen here

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Former showjumper David Broome (pictured, top) on how he started out in the sport

Broadcast 1981

“I remember going to my first hunter trials when I was about nine — and my one memory of that was that the following day, the local daily rag showed a picture of a Mr D Broome riding Coffee, but unfortunately the caption carried on to say that on landing he departed from his pony. And I’ve never been allowed to forget that.”

Listen here

Continued below…

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Showjumper Harvey Smith on never having had a riding lesson

Broadcast in 1971

“A riding lesson is one thing I’ve never done. With riding lessons you would have been riding somebody else’s style, whereas when you’re self-taught you’re riding your own style. You’ve got to work together with the horse, to get both your minds together. I’d say it’s 60-70% the rider and 30-40% the horse. But a good horse will make up for a lot.”

Listen here

All of the episodes above can be downloaded from the BBC’s Desert Island Discs archive. Visit www.bbc.co.uk

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Superstar Enable has officially been retired from her outstanding racing career aged six and will now head to the breeding paddocks.

Connections of the daughter of Nathaniel decided against one more race and instead announced her retirement with immediate effect today (12 October).

The Khalid Abdullah-owned mare won 11 Group One races, becoming one of the sport’s most successful horses and a favourite among racing fans. Her highlights include back-to-back wins in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and a record three wins in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

This month, she bid to claim a historic third success in the Arc but she finished sixth, on ground that did not suit her.

Her career spanned an impressive five seasons, with 15 wins from 19 starts and an eye-watering £10.7m in earnings – a record amount for a European-trained horse. The popular John Gosden-trained mare was partnered by Frankie Dettori for all bar two of her races.

To date, she is the most successful horse in Arc history, with two wins and a second, and has won five Oaks (Epsom, Irish, Yorkshire twice and the Cheshire). She will now join the broodmare band at Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms.

Continues below…

‘I fell on the floor’: Dettori’s delight as wonder mare Enable stays in training

‘We’re all here for one thing; that horses have given us happiness, jobs and purpose in life’

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“After consulting John Gosden and his racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe, Prince Khalid has decided that Enable will be retired from racing and will now join the Juddmonte broodmare band to be covered by Kingman in 2021,” said Juddmonte chief executive Douglas Erskine Crum.

Teddy Grimthorpe added: “She has brought so much joy to everyone who has been involved with her. Her elegance and forceful personality have been nurtured by John and his team at Clarehaven – especially by Imran, who has looked after her with such calm and devotion.

“In her, Frankie found a willing partner to execute her ability on the racecourse. Her CV withstands the closest of inspections, very few can match what she has given to racing.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

On Tuesday, 28 July, Stradivarius overcame traffic problems mid-race to claim a record-breaking fourth Goodwood Cup at the Qatar Goodwood Festival (28 July-1 August), under his regular jockey Frankie Dettori. Here is everything you need to know about the popular striking chestnut...

A top pedigree

Stradivarius is a six-year-old striking chestnut with a white blaze and four white socks. Still entire, he is from the fourth crop of foals sired by Sea The Stars, who won the 2000 Guineas, the Derby and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 2009.

Stradivarius’ dam, Private Life, won two minor races in France and was placed twice in Listed races – she was a granddaughter of the outstanding racemare Pawneese.

A star stayer

Stradivarius was bred in Ireland by his owner Bjorn Nielsen, who has always dreamt about breeding a Derby winner, but has instead produced one of the best staying horses. Bjorn put Stradivarius in training with top Newmarket handler John Gosden.

Where it all began

He made his racecourse debut in a maiden stakes at Nottingham in 2016, where he finished fifth of nine. His first win came two races later in the same year, in another maiden stakes this time at Newcastle, under Robert Havlin. The rest, you could say, is history.

An enviable CV

Since then, the superstar’s major wins include a record-breaking four Goodwood Cups, three Ascot Gold Cups, plus two wins in both the Yorkshire Cup and the Lonsdale Cup. He has also added the Queen’s Vase, the British Champions Long Distance Cup and the Doncaster Cup to his impressive CV.

The dollar signs

The popular stayer has claimed an eye-watering £2,857,249 in total earnings for his connections. On top of that, he has also twice won the £1m bonus for successes in the Yorkshire Cup, the Ascot Gold Cup, the Goodwood Cup and the Lonsdale Cup in the same season.

A crowned champion

Among his accolades, Stradivarius was crowned the Cartier Champion Stayer in 2018 and 2019 at the prestigious Cartier awards ceremony held annually.

A brilliant partnership

Charismatic jockey Frankie Dettori has ridden Stradivarius in 16 of his 23 starts and racing fans have enjoyed seeing the sight of the Italian executing his famous flying dismount from the bright chestnut after each victory.

After his win in this year’s Goodwood Cup, Frankie said: “Stradivarius’ greatest weapon is his turn of foot, I don’t remember a stayer with a turn of foot like his.”

Continued below…

9 reasons we love Frankie Dettori

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Racing fans’ favourite

Stradivarius’ form reads 541/121133/11111/111112-311. That’s 16 wins from his 23 starts and comprising mostly Group One and Group Two wins.

It is rare to see a six-year-old Flat horse still running so successfully at what is considered in the game as “older” — especially one who is still entire, as they are usually packed off to stud at four. But it is Stradivarius’ unique longevity that racing fans have fallen so in love with — being able to follow his career year after year.

We are continuing to produce Horse & Hound as a weekly magazine during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as to keep our website at horseandhound.co.uk up to date with breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions and access to our premium H&H Plus content online.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Frankie Dettori is the hero of an extraordinary Royal Ascot with six winners, giving him a sixth jockeys’ title at the meeting, on a day when a rising star won his first Group One – his first Royal Ascot victory – then followed it with a second winner

If Royal Ascot 2020 was a recipe, it had every single ingredient – except the self-raising flour of large, excitable crowds. The fifth and final day brought the meeting, conducted behind closed doors, to a crescendo with eight races and three Group Ones in a row.

Frankie Dettori’s victory aboard Palace Pier in the St James’s Palace Stakes gave him the leading jockey title; he and Jim Crowley both rode six winners, but Dettori had more second places. John Gosden, Palace Pier’s trainer, took the leading trainer’s award, also with six successes. Palace Pier had won all three of his previous races, but the Kingman colt was untried at Group level.

“It was no fluke,” said Gosden. “He’s a really talented horse, but he sustained a little injury last season and it would have been madness to go to the 2000 Guineas on the back of a novice event.”

The Guineas was only two weeks ago, and perhaps left its mark on Wichita, second there for Aidan O’Brien but only third behind Palace Pier and Pinatubo here.

Dettori ticks off missing Royal Ascot win in Coronation Stakes

Dettori was able to place the missing piece of his Royal Ascot puzzle – the Coronation Stakes – by riding the Jessica Harrington-trained Alpine Star to victory for the Niarchos family, who bred her. He has now won all of Ascot’s eight Group One races in his career.

Harrington, watching at home in Ireland, said: “I could not believe it because she was the only horse in the field that hadn’t had a run this year, but she is amazing. She is a half-sister [by Sea The Moon] to a complete superstar, Alpha Centauri, who gave me my first Royal Ascot winner. She was just amazing today, she did it so easily.

“She is very laidback and nothing like Alpha Centauri, who was a great big, very imposing filly. This filly is not very big, she is not a great colour – a little bit of a mealy chestnut. If you saw her trotting around in the string, you wouldn’t pick her out, but she has the most wonderful attitude.”

Jockey’s rides first Royal Ascot winner – then makes it two

Danish-born jockey Kevin Stott was in tears after riding his first Royal Ascot winner – and his first Group One – on Hello Youmzain for his mentor, Kevin Ryan, in the six-furlong Diamond Jubilee Stakes. The pair followed up immediately afterwards with success in the highly competitive five-furlong Wokingham Handicap courtesy of Hey Jonesy.

“I don’t know what to say really – I can’t find the words,” said 25-year-old Stott. “An hour ago I didn’t think this would ever happen, and now I’m standing here with two Royal Ascot winners; things that you could never dream of.”

Treble for dual-purpose trainer Alan King

He may be better known as a National Hunt trainer, but Alan King finished fourth in the trainers’ title at Royal Ascot 2020 with three winners. He started the week with Coeur De Lion’s Ascot Stakes victory, added the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes with Scarlet Dragon on Friday and took the very last race of the meeting, the two miles, five and a half furlong Queen Alexandra Stakes, with odds-on favourite Who Dares Wins. The latter was also a first Royal Ascot victory for jockey Tom Marquand, leveling him with his girlfriend Hollie Doyle, who had scored hers on Scarlet Dragon.

Continued below…

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American delight at Ascot

Finally, it wouldn’t be Royal Ascot without a two-year-old victory for American trainer Wesley Ward, who has been so successful on this stage in recent years. Despite coronavirus, the ebullient Ward sent over a large team and the Kodiac-sired Campanelle justified the effort when taking the Queen Mary Stakes under Frankie Dettori.

Speaking from Keeneland, Kentucky, Ward said: “We’re going crazy here! There’s nothing like Royal Ascot.”

Don’t miss Horse & Hound’s full report in next week’s magazine, on sale Thursday 25 June, as we continue to publish during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as keeping horseandhound.co.uk up to date with all the breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions (six issues for £6) and access to our premium H&H Plus content online. 

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Legendary Flat jockey Frankie Dettori “fell on the floor” when he heard wonder mare Enable was to stay in training for another season.

The 48-year-old told guests at the Animal Health Trust (AHT) awards last week (16 October) of his excitement at owner Khalid Abdullah’s decision, as he picked up the racing award.

“Yesterday, I was at the sales when I got a text saying she was staying in training,” he said. “I fell on the ground like a kid.”

Frankie spoke of the John Gosden-trained mare’s attempt to win a record third Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe, one of the most prestigious Flat races in the world, at the beginning of this month.

“We tried to do the impossible and we came unstuck, we finished second,” he said.

“But the good thing now is, if she’d won, she’d have gone to stud – so now I get to keep her for one more year.

“I went to see her this morning, and gave her half a packet of Polos and a pat on the head, and said: ‘Listen, we’ve got one more year, we’ll try again’.”

Frankie said the five-year-old is a rare equine hero for Flat races, her public prestige comparable to that of National Hunt stars such as Desert Orchid or Tiger Roll.

Continues below…

Frankie Dettori on holding off retirement, the origin of his flying dismount and more

The popular Italian jockey reveals all in a recent TV interview

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He thanked the AHT for his award – for which compere Nick Brooks-Ward said there could be “no other winner” after Frankie’s fantastic season – and said he felt privileged to accept it from AHT president the Princess Royal.

He added: “We’re all here for one thing; that horses have given us happiness, jobs and purpose in life.

“Most things in the world today are on computers and phones; we’re lucky we still have something beautiful to share and enjoy.”

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Frankie Dettori enjoyed an impressive 449/1 four-timer at Royal Ascot yesterday (Thursday, 20 June), a feat not achieved since 1965 by the legendary Lester Piggott.

The popular Italian-born jockey won aboard A’Ali, Sangarius and Star Catcher before taking the day’s feature race, the Group One Gold Cup, on Stradivarius.

Frankie said: “Stradivarius has become the people’s favourite — his style of racing and the way he conducts himself is marvellous; he has a tremendous will to win.

“My ‘Magnificent Seven’ [winning all seven on the card at Ascot in 1996] was special, but it was such a long time ago I forget about it! Yesterday was so special and I could feel everything. After the ‘Magnificent Seven’, this is my second biggest day — I cannot put it into words.”

Two of Lester’s winners came in the same races as Dettori — the New Stakes with Tin King and the Gold Cup on Fighting Charlie. He also won the Chesham Stakes on Swift Harmony and the King George V Handicap on Brave Knight.

Lester won that year’s top jockey award having ridden eight winners in total. Frankie could repeat Lester’s feat because he is currently leading this year’s jockeys’ table.

Frankie has been leading jockey at Royal Ascot five times, but has not captured the title since 2004. The most winners ridden at the Royal meeting is a record that was created in 1878 by the 13-time champion jockey Fred Archer — he won 12 races from 24 rides.

Don’t miss our full report from Royal Ascot in 27 June issue of Horse & Hound magazine.

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Top jockey Frankie Dettori has revealed riding against his son is the one “amazing ambition” he wants to achieve before he retires.

The winner of more than 500 Group races has often been asked about when he plans to retire, but told thejockeyclub.co.uk he would hold off on hanging up his boots if it meant he could race against his son, Rocco.

“He’s only 14. I didn’t want him to do it [become a jockey],” he said. “It’s a job that has sacrifices and ridiculous hours.

“Obviously as a parent I really don’t want him to do it but as a sportsman or as a way of life, if you love it then it’s really amazing.”

He added if Rocco, who has raced in the Shetland pony Grand National series, wants to pursue the sport, then “obviously I’m going to try to help him”.

“It’s up to him. At the moment he seems very keen but when you’re a teenager you can change from week to week,” he said.

“I’m not holding my hopes too highly but if he does decide to do it I will back him and try to help him as much as I can.”

Frankie rode against his own father, Gianfranco, before he retired.

Asked if he would be tempted to extend his career to ensure he can ride against Rocco, Dettori Snr replied: “I’d love to. I did ride with my dad and it was an amazing experience and I’m very proud that I did it.

“Of course, if he wants to do it. It’s an amazing ambition of mine to be able to ride with him. He can tell his children that we did it.”

He added he owes his own career to his father.

“He was my inspiration,” he said. “He was a champion jockey in his own right.He won two Guineas here at Newmarket back-to-back. It was his vision to send me to England and that’s why I’m based here at the moment.”

Frankie will be hoping for his third Investec Epsom Derby win on Saturday (1 June).

His first came in 2007 aboard Authorized, while his second in 2015 with Golden Horn is what he describes asthe “most emotional moment” of his life.

“Having Dad there [at Epsom in 2007] was amazing. We’d talked about it for years,” said Frankie.

“He had this beautiful white gold watch that he used to pull out of the safe once a year when he went to the gala dinner and he used to dangle it in my face.

“He would say, ‘One year when you win the Epsom Derby I’m going to give it to you’. Anyway, true to his word he brought the watch with him and he gave it to me. It meant a lot.”

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Frankie Dettori delights in Derby success

"I've won the Derby!" The popular jockey thrills the crowds at Epsom with his second win in the Classic race

‘I don’t want to chop my fingers off before the Derby’: Frankie Dettori cooks up a storm

The charismatic Italian jockey shows off his cooking skills in the Epsom Racecourse kitchen

Frankie added his 2015 triumph was incredible “for many reasons”.

“I was 44, I’d been through some bad times,” he said.

“The kids were old enough to understand. I remember they had made banners for me when I left the house.

“In my 32 years as a professional that was probably the most emotional moment that I’d felt in my life when Golden Horn hit the front and I knew I was going to win.

“To a point that I didn’t feel my body. It felt like jelly. Like someone had taken the power out of my muscles.

“In all the big races I’ve won that was probably the most emotional I’d felt.”

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Despite being a top Flat jockey, Frankie Dettori is a keen ‘foody’ and he owns restaurants in London.

During the countdown to the Investec Derby at Epsom Downs on 1 June, Italian-born Frankie teamed up with the racecourse’s head chef Rhys Owen to create his ultimate celebration dish if he were to win the Investec Derby again — opting for ‘melanzane alla parmigiana’, which is an aubergine-based recipe.

Frankie has won the Investec Derby twice, on Authorized in 2007 and Golden Horn in 2015.

“Every sport has got their big event and the Investec Derby is the best for us in Flat racing,” he said. “You’re lucky if you happen to win it because it’s one of the most famous races in the world.

“I was lucky enough to win the Derby twice and let’s hope this dish brings me luck for a third time.”

Frankie is likely to partner the Derby favourite Too Darn Hot, if the three-year-old runs in the big race after a splint put him out of the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket recently. The Lord Lloyd-Webber-owned son of Dubawi was unbeaten last season as a two-year-old and picked up the Cartier two-year-old accolade.

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The first running of the Derby at Epsom took place in 1780 and the great race has now become part of the unique and vibrant Investec Derby Festival, taking place on Friday 31 May and Saturday 1 June. The fillies’ race, the Investec Oaks, is on the Friday afternoon and the Aidan O’Brien-trained Pink Dogwood currently heads the betting.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday. Don’t miss our Investec Derby preview in the 30 May issue and the full report from the two-day meeting in the 6 June issue.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

At the age of 47, the popular top Flat jockey Frankie Dettori has no plans to hang up his racing boots quite yet, eyeing another five years at least in the saddle — despite previously saying he’d retire at 50.

The Italian has formed a formidable partnership with the John Gosden-trained superstar filly Enable, twice a winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and aboard her, Frankie won his fifth Breeders’ Cup Turf Race at Churchill Downs in Kentucky in November.

Frankie on… Enable, the 2018 Cartier Older Horse of the Year

“She’s the ultimate Ferrari — she’s so fast, it’s amazing. I get to ride her in the morning and she’s nowhere near the horse she is at the races,” he told CNN’s Winning Post. “When she gets to the races the blood starts pumping, the adrenaline goes and she just grows a foot and runs like a train. I guess that’s why she’s so good, she saves herself in the morning and runs like a train in the afternoon.”

Frankie on… his legendary flying dismount

“I had some winters in California when I was a teenager and I stole [the dismount] from a great jockey called Angel Cordero Jr. and I brought it to Europe and it didn’t go down very well with the officials in the early years, but now people get behind it and enjoy it. And to be honest with you, if I don’t do it, the public boos so I’m a slave of my own trademark flying dismount.”

Frankie on… retiring

“We’re always one fall away from retiring. The body doesn’t bounce as well as it used to when I was young. I used to ride 1,000 races a year, now I’ve cut down to about 300 to cut the risk of getting hurt and to prolong my career as long as I can. If I can squeeze another five years and get to 53, it will be brilliant.”

Frankie on… champion Flat trainer John Gosden

“He’s an absolute genius of a trainer and we have this bond together. He trains the horses to suit my riding and we understand each other on and off the racecourse. We’ve just got this bond, it’s very hard to explain, but things work for us and may it continue for a long time.”

Article continues below…

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Frankie on… being positive

“People forget to understand we use horses for blind people, deaf people, handicapped people, people with needs. They have this sixth sense — what’s in your head goes through your arms and into the horse’s mouth. My little secret is I try to have a positive outlook in life, so when I get on the horse he feels that and performs better.”

Watch the full interview with Frankie here

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Tom McEwen and Toledo De Kerser at Burghley 2017. Picture by Peter Nixon

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The jump jockeys gained their revenge after last year’s defeat to the Flat boys in Friday night’s thrilling — and fiercely competitive — Markel Champions Challenge over the coloured obstacles at Olympia.

Captained by 20-time champion AP McCoy and trained by H&H columnist Graham Fletcher, the five-man team of legendary former National Hunt jockeys produced the winning performance over Frankie Dettori’s squad, coached by reigning Olympic champion Nick Skelton.

“It’s nice to beat Dettori!” said AP, who lined up alongside former champions Peter Scudamore, Richard Dunwoody, John Francome and Charlie Swan, who boast an astounding 47 championship titles between them.

“The first year we did it [the Markel Challenge], the jump jockeys won, then we were a bit disappointed last year when we had a team of current jump jockeys and the Flat jockeys won — so I sacked them all,” said AP with a grin. “It was time to bring in a slightly older A-team.

“I said we needed a team of champions to put the Flat boys in their place — not knowing that they had lined up a team of champions for this year, too.”

With such huge rivalry between the two teams, who were raising invaluable funds for the Injured Jockeys Fund, the Flat jockeys’ team captain Frankie Dettori announced himself “devastated” to lose.

“You know what AP’s like — he’ll never let me forget this now,” said the Italian. “And now he works for ITV racing, every time I ride a winner he’s going to mention the fact he beat me. But ‘Scu’ [Peter Scudamore, from the winning team] was brilliant he said ‘Imagine how good we were when we were young!’”

Frankie’s team-mates were three-time champion-turned-trainer Richard Hughes, Jamie Spencer, Jim Crowley and three-time champion Ryan Moore.

There was some comeuppance for Frankie, however, as his accomplished round on the brilliant “Barry” — an experienced showjumper borrowed from Tim Gredley — was well over a second quicker than AP’s.

So will the jump jockeys return to the saddle to bid for a winning double next year?

“No — we’re firmly retired again now!” said AP.

Don’t miss the full report from the London International Horse Show at Olympia in next week’s issue of Horse & Hound, out Thursday 21 December.

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Toast Of New York, runner-up in the 2014 Breeders’ Cup, enjoyed a winning comeback today (Wednesday, 6 November) after a three-year absence.

The six-year-old, who is trained by Jamie Osborne, was retired with a soft tissue injury in early 2015, following his hard-fought efforts on the dirt in Santa Anita.

In 2014, he was rated among the world’s best horses and on retirement he took up stallion duties in Qatar. He returned to his trainer’s Lambourn yard in April this year to prepare for his surprise return to the racecourse.

“I think everyone involved feels relieved to see Toast Of New York back on a racecourse again and winning,” said Harry Herbert, the racing advisor to owner Al Shaqab Racing.

“This is a phenomenal training performance from Jamie Osborne and Jimmy McCarthy [who rides him at home]. It has been an incredibly patient journey and it is just so exciting,” he said.

“He is an entire horse — he covered 15 or so mares in Doha and got 10 in foal. There wasn’t the support for him as a stallion and the veterinary surgeon told us that the tendon injury he sustained wasn’t that bad.

“It’s not very often that you see an entire horse at his age racing and coming back from over 1,000 days off, so it is a remarkable effort — it really is a fairytale.”

Frankie Dettori partnered the son of Thewayyouare to victory today at Lingfield — despite being decanted on the way to the 10-furlong start.

The pair comfortably fended off their three rivals in the £19,000 Betway Conditions Stakes on the all-weather track at the Surrey racecourse.

“I was very pleased with the way that Toast Of New York used both legs. Jamie has done a great job to get him into this shape first time out and he still feels heavy and rusty,” added Frankie.

“I can’t emphasise how brilliant everyone has been to get him back. He is only a 70% horse at the moment but still won. It was a step forward and I think that we can improve him a lot. After three years off, it was a great effort.”

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H&H finds out more about the superstar filly, who was recently crowned Cartier Horse of the Year...

Enable has captured the hearts of racing fans across not only the country, but also Europe and not least the heart of her jockey Frankie Dettori. She is a freak of nature, she has girl power in abundance, and for her owner and trainer, she is a “filly of a lifetime”.

The phenomenal three-year-old filly was bred by her owner Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farm and therefore runs in the famous silks carried by the mighty Frankel.

The daughter of Nathaniel is in training with Newmarket-based John Gosden and has been ridden in all but two of her races by the brilliant Frankie Dettori.

She made her first appearance on a racecourse in November 2016 as a two-year-old. It was a comfortable winning debut in the one-mile maiden race on the all-weather at Newcastle and propelled her into an unforgettable 2017.

A form that speaks for itself

Enable’s three-year-old campaign kicked off in April when she switched to the turf for the first time at Newbury — she stayed on to finish third behind stable companion Shutter Speed.

This week, she was crowned the Cartier Horse of the Year at racing’s equivalent of the ‘Oscars’, the Cartier Racing Awards (pictured, below). She was also the deserved recipient of the Cartier three-year-old filly in 2017.

Her 2017 form speaks for itself (3 1 1 1 1 1 1) and this year she created history when winning an outstanding five Group One victories.

Winning in the rain

The wonder filly’s flurry of Group One triumphs began when she headed to Epsom for the Investec Oaks, where she was up against eight fillies headed by red-hot favourite Rhododendron, runner-up in the 1,000 Guineas.

It was a dramatic renewal of the 12-furlong Classic and was run in driving rain when a thunderstorm broke shortly beforehand. However, Enable quickening clear of the field inside the final furlong to score by five lengths.

She became the first filly in seven years to follow up victory in the Investec Oaks with success in the Group One Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh in Ireland — Frankie hurried back from a shoulder injury to partner the superstar.

Taking on the boys

When she went to Ascot for the Group One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, it was the first time she had come up against older horses and colts. Frankie got down to his near-minimum weight of 8st 7lb to partner her again.

She had a formidable challenge with the likes of Highland Reel, Jack Hobbs and Ulysses in the mix. However, in her usual fashion she cruised up, powering away from her rivals.

Breaking records

Her final hurrah of the season saw her become the first three-year-old filly trained in Britain to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. She is also the seventh horse to capture the race after winning the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the same season — emulating greats such as Ribot, Mill Reef and Dancing Brave.

The best news for Enable fans is that she is set to be back in training for the 2018 Flat season (the breeding shed can wait a bit longer) and may even head back to France to defend her Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe title.

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Frankie Dettori, Jamie Spencer and Ryan Moore may be champions on the racetrack, but we don’t think Scott Brash and John Whitaker have too much to worry about… Just yet

Frankie Dettori, Jamie Spencer and Ryan Moore plus plenty of other stars of the racing world lined up gamely to take part in the Clipper Logistics Racing Personality Show Jumping Competition at the 32Red Newmarket Open Weekend (16-17 September 2017). And apart from ITV Racing’s leading lady Francesca Cumani, who rode an immaculate clear on a 21-year-old 138cm pony to win over the coloured poles, it’s safe to say they shouldn’t give up the day jobs.

Jockey Adam Kirby and trainer Roger Varian battled on, despite some dramatic refusals, while it was a case of “Well sat!” for James Doyle, whose pony threw in a buck or two.

And as for Frankie Dettori, well he must have had victory — and a trademark flying dismount — in his sights, having been mounted on the smartest horse in the field, his daughter’s talented eventer. But the eagle-eyed judges spotted Frankie’s “short-cut” — he missed out fence five altogether. Nice try, Frankie!

This was the third year of the competition organised by Newmarket-based British Showjumping coach Mia Palles-Clark.

“Though he missed a fence, Frankie Dettori really upped the ante by borrowing his daughter’s posh event horse!” she said. “It was a lovely day and a lovely class. I trained the riders who could make it on the Monday before the event and the horses were sourced by me and the riders themselves. Francesca rode really well.”

This popular weekend of activities, when the public have the chance to go behind the scenes at British Horseracing’s headquarters in Newmarket, also featured a football match sponsored by Martin Collins Enterprises, where the team of jockeys and trainers, led by captain Oli Bell, beat the stable staff 5-2.

Continued below…

‘I’m wasted on the Flat’: watch Nick Skelton teaching Frankie Dettori to showjump

H&H went along to watch double Olympic gold

Over the past four years the event has raised £225,000 for local charities and this year’s beneficiaries were The Racing Welfare Newmarket Housing Project, the Newmarket Day Centre and the Newmarket Academy.

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When your father has ridden over 3,000 British winners, including clinching the Derby twice, you might think you’d want to give racing a miss — the expectation to succeed could weigh too heavily on your shoulders.

But Frankie Dettori’s youngest of five children Rocco appears to be relishing the challenge — albeit on a Shetland rather than a thoroughbred for the time being.

As 12-year-old Rocco gears up for the Shetland Pony Grand National at Olympia at the end of the year (12 – 18 December 2017), he headed to Ascot racecourse yesterday (31 July 2017) to get some top tips from his dad to give him the edge.

“After winning here on Saturday it was really special to be able to bring Rocco here, his first time on a racetrack,” said Frankie, who cruised to victory in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Enable on Saturday (29 July 2017).

“There has been more press interest in me today with Rocco, than there was on Saturday!”

As well as putting his son through his paces on the racetrack, Frankie found time to show Rocco the ropes for that iconic winning dismount.

Frankie Dettori will also be competing at Olympia to defend his title in the Markel Champions Challenge — where some of Britain’s top jump jockeys test their mettle against their Flat counterparts in an against-the-clock showjumping competition — in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund.

But Frankie will face stiff competition as AP McCoy is preparing to step out of retirement to rival the world’s most famous flat jockey.

Pictures by ©Cranhamphoto.com

For more information about Olympia Horse Show, visit olympiahorseshow.com

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Spectators at this year’s Olympia, the London International Horse Show (12-18 Dec) will be treated to a head-to-head battle between two of the world’s greatest jockeys.

Twenty-time National Hunt champion Sir AP McCoy and Flat legend Frankie Dettori will be heading to the London venue to test their skills over a course of showjumps.

Last year, crowds witnessed the Markel Champions Challenge, in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund, which saw Frankie’s team defeat Richard Johnson’s band of jump jockeys in a relay contest against the clock.

This year, it will be AP who steps out of retirement to spearhead the opposition during Olympia’s Friday night “race night”.

Both Frankie, AP and their team members will receive specialist coaching from top international showjumpers in the run-up to the show down.

“Last year, I watched from the sidelines as my fellow jump jockeys got thrashed by Dettori’s boys, so this year I shall be picking my own team and shall be looking to the greats of the past to help me do this,” AP said. “Whilst we’ll be ultra-competitive, it’s all for such a great cause in the Injured Jockeys Fund.”

As two of the most successful jockeys in history, there is no doubt that Frankie and AP will be seeking to field the most competent team members, with their line-ups to be announced closer to the show.

Continued below…

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Juliet Redfern, managing director of Markel’s equine and livestock team said: “Markel are so pleased to continue its involvement with the Markel Champions Challenge. As a child I remember watching similar classes so having the opportunity to be involved in resurrecting this concept and bringing it to the public on the Olympia stage was really exciting.

“Over the past three years the success and support we’ve seen just keeps growing.”

“The jockeys love it as much as the audience,” said Lisa Hancock, CEO of the Injured Jockeys Fund. “It also serves to highlight the important work the Injured Jockeys Fund does in racing and across the wider equestrian world.”

Friday night at Olympia will witness an entire evening of racing-themed excitement. Spectators can also expect to see appearances from racing legend Bob Champion whose charity, The Bob Champion Cancer Trust, is supported by The Shetland Pony Grand National.

For tickets and more information about Olympia’s London International Horse Show, visit www.olympiahorseshow.com

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Frankie Dettori is out of Royal Ascot after a fall.

The top jockey was injured in the parade ring at Yarmouth on 13 June after his ride, the maiden Tivoli, jinked sideways while being mounted.

Frankie fell and could be seen clutching his arm.

He was passed fit to ride by the doctor and piloted Shutter Speed into fourth place in the Group 1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly on Sunday (18 June).

However the punters’ favourite revealed this morning (Tuesday, 20 June) that his arm is still troubling him and he will miss the full week of Royal Ascot (20-24 June).

“I’ve been trying so hard to get fit for today but had to accept this morning it wasn’t going to happen,” he tweeted today, alongside the caption “gutted”.

“I’ve got to have physio and get it properly looked after so won’t be at Ascot this week.

“For me that’s soul destroying as it’s the most important week of the year.

“I’ll be counting the days until next year.”

Frankie had dozens of booked rides over the five-day meeting, including the Wesley Ward-trained Lady Aurelia in today’s Group One King’s Stand Stakes. John Velazquez will take over the ride.

Frankie’s connection with the meeting is well known and he is very popular with racegoers.

His other well-fancied bookings this week included American Patriot in this afternoon’s Queen Anne Stakes and Ulysses in Wednesday’s Prince of Wales’ Stakes.

Article continues below…

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If you’re heading to the races this week

Mark of respect

In light of recent tragic events around Britain, a minute’s silence will be held in the parade ring today following the arrival of The Queen and the Royal party.

The racecourse is making a £100,000 donation to the British Red Cross, London fire relief funds and local charities. Collections will also be taken on the racecourse exits across the week.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

With Valegro retiring, Nick Skelton winning gold and William Fox-Pitt getting back in the saddle after his fall, 2016 has certainly been emotionally-charged...

Nick Skelton GBR riding Big Star in the Individual Final of the Show Jumping Competition at the Olympic Equestrian Centre in Deodoro near Rio, Brazil on 19th August 2016

Willberry rode around Badminton 2016 on the shoulder of Ben Hobday

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Legends of the racing circuit will be revving up the engines on Friday night at Olympia as two teams — Flat jockeys versus their jumping rivals — prepare to go head-to-head in what is sure to be the fiercest competition of the week, the Markel Champions Challenge.

Two time Derby winner Frankie Dettori and Olympic cyclist-turned-jockey Victoria Pendleton are two of the 10 intrepid jockeys who will be entering the starting stalls on the night, raising money for H&H’s charity of the year the Injured Jockeys Fund as they battle it out in a duel over the coloured obstacles.

Both Frankie and Victoria are complete showjumping novices, however, so H&H went along to watch double Olympic gold medallist Nick Skelton put them through their paces in a brilliant lesson over the coloured poles. So what did they learn? Here are just some of the day’s highlights — who is your money on now?

1. Frankie needs to slow down — or he’ll end up in a hedge

Keen to get on with things, Frankie goes from 0mph to fast canter in a couple of strides. “Right, I’m off,” he says confidently.

Nick says: “Slow it down, Frankie, although that probably already feels like a walk to you. Sit and wait for the jump to come to you.”

Frankie is riding “long” — Nick helped show him what length stirrups he should be jumping in, compared with his very short riding position on the Flat.

“And representing Italy…” says Frankie as he whizzes past, before attempting another set of fences.

“Steady now,” warns Nick as they approach a double. Frankie doesn’t listen and almost ends up in the hedge.

Frankie sums up what he’s learned: “It’s so interesting to listen to Nick, who very kindly organized this day, because it’s been bred into my mind to always go as fast as I can from A to B. So the main thing I’ll take away from today is just to slow down — let the horse take me there, not me chasing the jump. But it’s very hard when all your life you’ve wanted to go flat out.”

2. Victoria, meanwhile, is learning the art of applying the leg — ‘I’ve never needed an accelerator before’

Victoria has been lent a lovely grey showjumper, who took part in the jockeys’ challenge in 2014. He proves the perfect schoolmaster for the cyclist who only took up riding 18 months ago to finish fifth in a race at Cheltenham.

“Nick told me I’ve got to use a bit more leg — I’m so used to having such short stirrups and having quite limited ability to apply the old legs,” she says. “I know it sounds crazy, but actually using the leg for control is something that’s very new to me. And asking the horse to bend round your leg, to use the leg to keep the horse out, to support the opposite side… these are all things that I’ve just learned, so they’re not automatic yet!

“And the showjumping horse responds very differently to a racehorse — I’ve now got an accelerator and a brake whereas on a racehorse you only have the brakes to deal with because you’re always going forwards. This horse today was waiting for me to tell him what to do and I was like ‘Oh yes, sorry!’”

3. Tim Gredley has leant Frankie a rather nice horse for the big day…

Frankie Dettori is perhaps one step ahead of the game, having sourced a very nice international showjumper from his Newmarket neighbour, Tim Gredley.

Unex Barrichello (“Barry” to his friends) is a 10-year-old Heartbreaker gelding, who has been jumping with Tim and his sister Polly — and we’d quite like to ride him, too.

“I hassled Tim for about a month — I said I’m showjumping at Olympia and I’m a fish out of water, you’ve got to lend me a horse,” says Frankie. “And that really helped because even if I looked like I knew what I was doing today, I had no clue. I’m not sure if the horse is used to competing in front of thousands of people, but we’ll soon find out!”

Frankie laughs as the gelding expertly chips in an extra stride coming into a line of fences — “He’s got me out of jail!”

To keep things fair, Harry Skelton, on the rival National Hunt team, has also been allowed to ride Unex Barrichello on the night.

“Otherwise, if we beat the other team, they’ll say it’s because I had the better horse,” says Frankie. “So I’ve got no excuses now and it’s all equal.”

The pair finish the lesson with a very nice clear round.

“I’m wasted on the Flat!” says Frankie.

3. Victoria is a great listener and very determined — ‘I’ll give it my all’

Victoria takes a tumble when her horse refuses and whips round at high speed, but clambers straight back on with added determination. You can see her taking in everything Nick says, clocking it, then putting it in to practice. Counting and seeing strides is a new concept for both riders, and Nick spends a lot of time helping Victoria to keep her horse straight as they jump.

“When he goes indoors he’ll be anticipating every turn so try to keep him straight,” says Nick, placing a pole, then himself, for guidance.

“Victoria has come on brilliantly and if Nick hadn’t said it was time to finish, she’d have been there all afternoon,” assesses Frankie.

“He’s sweet to say I’m doing a good job,” she replies. “The way I see it, it’s the same as with the race riding — I’m a complete novice, but I’ll be as prepared as I can be and whatever will be will be. I’m not going to underplay the way I’m going to approach it, because I’m going to give it my all. I’m making up for lost time anyway — I love it.”

4. Despite being champions in their respective fields, both found this new challenge daunting

“Driving over here, I thought, ‘What if I fall off?’ — not in terms of getting injured, I just didn’t want to embarrass myself in front of all these people!” says Frankie.

“Three years ago, I was asked to do it [the Markel Champions Challenge], but I chickened out. Then last year we went to Olympia with the kids just to watch and I loved it, so I volunteered this year!

“It’s for a great cause with the Injured Jockeys Fund and as [Flat jockey] Freddy Tylicki had a very bad accident a few weeks ago, we wanted to keep the ball rolling and support our sport — as well as having the opportunity to ride against Richard Johnson champion jockey and the others.”

5. It’s going to be hugely competitive on the night!

“Obviously the jump jockeys must have an advantage, but we all ride horses day-in, day-out, so we’re going to be as fit as them,” assesses Frankie. “So I do rate my team’s chances — we’ve all been competitive all our lives, so when we get in there and feel the crowd and the adrenalin takes over, I know what’s going to happen — we’re all going to be so competitive with each other. But at the end of the day it’s all about who jumps clear. I’m ready for the challenge though!”

Continued below…

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6. And the final word goes to… the legendary AP McCoy

The 20-time champion jockey was part of the winning jump jockeys’ team at Olympia in 2014 and was on hand at Nick’s to chip in with his own “useful” advice.

“I knew we’d find something you were good at doing at some point,” he said to Frankie with a grin, after he jumped a clear round over the full course of obstacles in Nick’s arena. “Now come on, do your star jump.”

And will we get to see the famous Frankie flying dismount on the night? You’d better start cheering on those Flat jockeys to find out…

The Markel Champions Challenge takes place at 6.45pm on Friday, 16 December, at the London International Horse Show at Olympia

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Radio DJ Sara Cox received a race-riding lesson from top Flat jockey Frankie Dettori and even got her horse’s head in front during a “ride-off” on the gallops at the British Racing School in Newmarket.

“It was the best day ever and I couldn’t stop smiling — it was such an incredible experience,” said Sara, who recently completed the first Dartmoor Derby.

“Frankie’s a world-class jockey and my legs felt like jelly even before I got on the horse. Frankie was very encouraging and gave me some really good tips. I can’t believe he let me beat him. It meant a lot for him to say that I’d done well — I am leaving radio and becoming a professional jockey,’ she quipped.

Frankie’s top tips for Sara included to “just hang on” and ride with shorter reins. “If you have shorter reins and lean more forward then you’ll have full balance and the horse will do the rest,” he told her.

The popular 45-year-old jockey is gearing up for the Flat season’s finale, the QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday 15 October, where Sara will also be hosting the after-party.

“I can’t believe I got beaten by a woman,” Frankie added after the session. “Sara did great — she had beautiful balance and her body posture was spot on, especially as she doesn’t ride a lot. I think the horse enjoyed it as well.

“Champions Day is our [Flat jockeys’] biggest day — there’s going to be thousands of people and we have some of the best races of the year all on the same day. There’s a lot of pressure but that’s why I work hard to get to that point and it’s exciting — it’s nerve-wracking but it’s also fun as well.”

The final day of the Flat racing calendar will also see the Champion Flat jockey crowned. Jim Crowley is currently ahead of last year’s titleholder Silvestre de Sousa.

Read the full report from the QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot in Horse & Hound on sale Thursday 20 October

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Frankie Dettori picked up his 3,000^th British victory after riding a double of wins at Newmarket.

The charismatic Italian jockey — famous for his flying dismounts — has become one of racing’s best-loved personalities.

The 45-year-old said he was “relieved and very humbled” after reaching the impressive milestone aboard the John Gosden-trained Predilection on Friday (12 August). His first win of the evening came courtesy of Ghayyar in the 6.35pm.

Having enjoyed his first triumph on British soil in 1987, Frankie has gone on to be crowned champion Flat jockey three times and has most of the major races under his belt. He has been victorious in each of the British Classics and the Derby at Epsom twice — in 2007 on Authorized and again in 2015 aboard Golden Horn.

“I said to Frankie a few weeks ago, he’d have ridden 6,000 winners if he wasn’t just a weekend and big-race jockey,” quipped 20-time champion jump jockey AP McCoy. “Frankie’s been riding winners in the UK for the best part of 30 years which is great to see. He’s a lively character which is good for British racing but more than that, he’s an incredible jockey.”

Frankie is the sixth Flat jockey to reach the historic landmark, following Sir Gordon Richards, Doug Smith, Lester Piggott, Pat Eddery and Willie Carson.

“Frankie is one of the best jockeys of the modern era and it is no surprise he has reached this landmark so few have achieved before him,” added Lester Piggott. “He is stylish and strong, but it is his tactical nous that sets him apart from others in the weighing room.

“He is a fantastic ambassador for racing, his enthusiasm and charisma has been drawing fans to the sport for years and hopefully we will see his infectious personality on racecourses for many more seasons to come.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

World number one showjumper Scott Brash has said he is “not frustrated” about missing out on the chance to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

“I’m not frustrated about not being nominated. I focus on my job and it’s up to people outside of the sport to take notice,” he told H&H today (Tuesday 1 December).

No equestrians or jockeys at all made the line up.

“It’s a shame Charlotte Dujardin didn’t get into the top three last year [she finished fourth],” added Scott, “As a world record holder and winner of every major dressage competition going there is nothing else she could have done, yet it still wasn’t enough for a top three at SPOTY.”

The list of nominations for the award was announced last night (Monday 30 November) — but the recently retired AP McCoy and world number one showjumper were both notable absentees.

The lack of nomination surprised H&H readers. They also lamented the absence of jockey AP McCoy.

H&H Facebook fans said that equestrian sport is not receiving the recognition it deserves.

“It’s outrageous that equestrian sports and the acheivements of the riders are so poorly recognised in this country. Scott Brash has achieved more than anyone in his sport, at his level, in the world (not just the UK). When will this ever change?” questioned Tracey Stern.

Giselle Robinson added: “What a ridiculous thing. AP and Scott have achieved so much, sports personality is a bit of a joke.”

Sophie Pentecost said it was a “crying shame”.

“AP has had a wonderful career and Scott is right at the top of his game,” she added.

Despite being in the betting ahead of the announcement, Derby-winning jockey Frankie Dettori isn’t the running for the award either.

Earlier this year H&H readers campaigned for showjumper Scott Brash to receive a nomination after a phenomenal year that included him making history by winning the Rolex Grand Slam.

The 2015 BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist includes cyclist Lizzie Armitstead, footballer Lucy Bronze, heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill, athlete Mo Farah, cyclist Chris Froome, boxer Tyson Fury, F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, tennis star Andy Murray, swimmer Adam Peaty, athlete Greg Rutherford, rugby league player Kevin Sinfield and gymnast Max Whitlock.

The overall winner will be announced live at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2015 awards on 20 December following a public vote.

The award ceremony will be held in Belfast for the first time this year.

In 2010 AP McCoy became the first jockey to win the award — the year in which he won the Grand National on his 15th attempt aboard Don’t Push It.

In 2013 he finished third in the SPOTY race.

AP is one of just four equestrians to have won the award — David Broome in 1960, Princess Anne in 1971 and Zara Phillips in 2006.

Charlotte Dujardin finished fourth last year, despite a huge push by the equestrian industry and an army of dressage fans.

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An equine charity is set to benefit from a festive fashion range produced by the Racing Post.

Top jockeys Frankie Dettori and H&H columnist Richard Johnson are backing the #Jumpers4Horses campaign, which is raising money for Retraining of Racehorses (RoR).

The Christmas knitwear comes in four styles — Nordic red, Nordic green, Sam the snowman and winter racecourse.

Last year the stylish selection sold out in just 48 hours.

Three-time champion Flat jockey Frankie, who also won this year’s Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, said he is sure the range is going to be a big hit.

“Christmas jumpers have become as typically British as talking about the weather, queueing, and drinking tea,” he said.

“They might be a novelty item but they are raising money for a very valuable cause – take my advice and get them while you can.”

The Racing Post is hoping to raise more than £5,000 for RoR with its snug yuletide collection.

RoR is British horseracing’s official charity for the welfare of horses who have retired from racing.

“This is a fantastic campaign that will give a real boost to RoR’s work to provide fulfilling second careers to former racehorses — the jumpers have got to be this year’s hottest stocking filler,” said H&H columnist Richard.

Made in the UK, the jumpers are available through the Post’s website and are available in sizes small to extra-large.

Each jumper costs £17.99, including postage and packaging.

“The response we had to last year’s Christmas jumpers was incredible, and so we are unwrapping a new set of designs to meet public demand,” said Racing Post editor Bruce Millington.

“We are delighted to be able to support the special work that RoR does in such a fun and popular way.”

Di Arbuthnot, from the charity, said they are “delighted” to be this year’s beneficiary of #Jumpers4Horses.

“Not only will the activity raise valuable funds for the charity it will help generate awareness of the versatility and adaptability of racehorses and why we are able to give an increasing number new careers after their racing days have come to an end,” she said.

For more information, visit: www.ror.org.uk

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Derby winner Golden Horn triumphed at the 2015 Cartier Racing Awards last night (10 November).

Trained by John Gosden, Golden Horn was named Cartier horse of the year, as well as picking up the three-year-old colt award.

The son of Cape Cross was bred by owner Anthony Oppenheimer and was sent to Tattersalls as a yearling, but failed to meet his reserve so was put into training with Gosden.

Golden Horn was not originally entered into the Derby due to concerns that he wouldn’t stay a mile and a half, but Mr Oppenheimer supplemented the colt at a cost of £75,000 after success in the Dante in May. The colt went on to win the Derby under Frankie Dettori, before taking the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe this season.

His final start was in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland on 29 October, where he finished second.

Golden Horn retires with earnings of more than £4.4m and as the second-highest rated horse in the world behind US Triple Crown hero American Pharaoh.

The two-year-old colt award went to Air Force Blue. Trained by Aidan O’Brien and owned by Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor, he won this year’s running of the Dewhurst and is currently favourite for the 2016 2,000 Guineas.

The two-year-old filly award went to Minding, by Galileo, who won the Group One Fillies’ Mile on 9 October at Newmarket. Also trained by Aidan O’Brien and owned by Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor, she was ridden on that occasion by Ryan Moore, and has since been installed as the favourite for next year’s Oaks.

The three-year-old filly award went to Legatissimo, trained by David Wachman and a third win at the awards for the Smith, Magnier and Tabor team.

The Cartier sprinter award went to Charlie Hills-trained Muhaarar, owned by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.

Simple Verse, trained by Ralph Beckett, became only the second three-year-old, following Moonax in 1994, to receive the Cartier stayer award. Owned by Sheikh Fahad Thani, the filly won the St Leger after an appeal to reverse her disqualification. The race was originally handed to Bondi Beach.

Solow, trained by Freddy Head, won the older horse award after an unbeaten campaign that started on the all-weather of Chantilly in March and included five Group One victories.

The Injured Jockeys’ Fund’s Jack Berry (pictured below with Marcus Armytage) won the Cartier/Daily Telegraph award of merit for his work on the northern rehabilitation centre, Jack Berry House in Malton, which opened earlier this year.

Harry Herbert, Cartier’s racing consultant, said: “Golden Horn carried nearly all before him and is a worthy recipient of Cartier Horse of the Year, while Solow and Muhaarar were equally dominant in mile and sprint races respectively.

“I think it would be hard to find a tougher filly anywhere in the world than Legatissimo, while the Coolmore-owned two-year-olds, Air Force Blue and Minding, were both very impressive. It is refreshing to see the Cartier Stayer Award go to a three-year-old, Simple Verse, for the first time since 1994.

“Jack Berry’s whole life has been dedicated to racing and the opening of Jack Berry House in 2015 is a lasting testament to his tireless work on behalf of injured jockeys. We are delighted to announce him as the recipient Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit in 2015.”

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“He’s probably the best horse that I’ve ridden,” declared jockey Frankie Dettori after Golden Horn took the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe yesterday (Sunday 4 October).

Popular mare Treve was going for a historic third win in the Paris race, but it was the John Gosden-trained Derby winner that triumphed at Longchamp.

The son of Cape Cross won by two lengths to Flintshire, who was also second in the race last year. A neck back was New Bay, with Treve just a nose behind in fourth.

It was Golden Horn’s fourth Group One win of the year — following success at Epsom, then in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown and finally in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

He has won seven from eight starts, only finishing second once in the Juddmonte at York.

Ridden by Frankie Dettori, the pair raced wide of the field for the first furlong, before settling and pulling clear to win by two lengths.

”My tactics were good but his performance was unbelievable,” said Frankie.

“Today you saw the real Golden Horn. He put to bed a great Arc field like a true champion. Over the last furlong and a half it would have been impossible for any horse to get near me.

“I pressed the button and he flew. Think of the horses he has beaten and beaten well. I spent the last furlong enjoying myself. He has given me some tremendous pleasure and is probably the best horse that I’ve ridden.”

Frankie now shares the record for a jockey winning the race for the fourth time with six others. His other wins came aboard Lammtarra, Sakhee and Marienbard.

Owner and breeder Anthony Oppenheimer is now considering one final race at the Breeders’ Cup in Keeneland, before Golden Horn takes up his stud duties at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket.

Last year Treve became the first dual winner of the world’s richest turf race since Alleged in 1977/78. The win also escalated her to Europe’s highest-earning mare.

Treve was retired after the 2014 race, however, owned Sheikh Joaan al Thani decided to go for a third attempt at the Arc.

The five-year-old, by Motivator, has now been retired to stud.

Trainer Criquette Head-said: “There is no disgrace in being beaten by Golden Horn. He was the Derby winner and there are no excuses.

“She deserves to go to stud and enjoy herself now. She has been unforgettable.”

For full report don’t miss this week’s issue of H&H, out Thursday 8 October.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Royal Ascot 2015 (16-21 June) has not let us down. Where else are the sporting (and fashion) stakes quite so high?

For royalists there’s the suspense of The Queen’s outfit colour choice, for fashionistas the hat offering ranges from couture to comedy (equally enjoyable spectacles) and for the people who took it steady at lunch and can see out from under their hat to watch the horses in action, this year’s racing has given us our fair share of thrills and spills.

And the best part? It’s not over yet. Tune in to Channel 4 for all the top class action from Ascot this afternoon and tomorrow.

Royal Ascot 2015 in pictures

Where does British pomp and ceremony better than Royal Ascot?

Donning a hot pink ensemble, The Queen arrives on the first day of racing with Prince Philip, Prince Harry and the Duke of York

The French-trained Solow takes The Queen Anne Stakes on Tuesday with Maxim Guyon

Prince Harry makes an apprearance on the first day of the meeting, pictured here with trainer Robert Cowell, who won the King’s Stand with 20-1 chance Goldream

Continued below…

Royal Ascot in numbers: lobster, limos, champagne and top-class racing

This Tuesday (16 June 2015) will kick off five days of world class racing and pageantry at Royal Ascot. We

On Tuesday The Queen unveiled a statue of the unbeaten Frankel, created by sculptor Mark Coreth

Gleneagles takes the St James’s Palace Stakes for jockey Ryan Moore on the first day of the meeting

The Coventry Stakes is won by Buratino and William Buick

Celeb spotting: Damian Lewis and his wife Helen McCrory with Sheikh Rashid, after Buratino’s win

Gok Wan, pictured here with Denise Lewis, is on hand for fashion tips and tricks at Royal Ascot

Acapulco gets washed down after taking the Queen Mary on Wednesday with Ryan Moore

Frankie Dettori clinches the Tercentenary Stakes with the Roger Charlton-trained Time Test on Thursday – making it his 51st Royal Ascot winner

Don’t miss our full report from Royal Ascot in the 25 June issue of Horse & Hound magazine

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Frankie Dettori rode the 13-8 favourite Golden Horn to land the Investec Derby at Epsom  today (Saturday, 6 June).

This was the Italian jockey’s second win in the Epsom Classic, coming eight years after his first victory in the world-famous race on Authorized.

The former champion jockey, at 44 the oldest rider in the race, gave the John Gosden-trained colt a masterful ride, pouncing from way back in the field to win with an explosive finish.

Frankie’s trademark flying dismount in the winner’s enclosure was met with a mighty roar from his legion of fans in the packed stands.

“I still can’t believe that I’ve won the Derby again – what a feeling!” said Frankie. “I did feel the pressure – I knew he was a good horse and it was up to me to mess it up.

“But once he found top gear he was off. The horse was magnificent.”

Trainer John Gosden was also responsible for the runner-up in the race, Jack Hobbs, ridden by William Buick.

“He [Golden Horn] was quite keen early on but Frankie dropped him out beautifully,” he said. “The last thing I said to him was ride a cool race, and he rode a cool race. He waited and waited.”

Owner Anthony Oppenheimer, who also bred the Cape Cross colt, supplemented Golden Horn for the race on Monday at a cost of £75,000.

Storm The Stars finished third for trainer William Haggas and jockey Pat Cosgrave.

The race was watched by The Queen and The Duke Of Edinburgh, who made their annual visit to Epsom Downs for Investec Derby Day. Celebrities in attendance included actress Elizabeth Hurley, TV star Millie Mackintosh, Olympic gold medallists Denise Lewis and Sir Steve Redgrave and cricketers Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Eoin Morgan.

Don’t miss all the action from the Investec Derby Festival in next week’s issue of Horse & Hound, out Thursday 11 June.

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Leading jockeys Frankie Dettori and Richard Johnson are showing their support of ex-racehorses by becoming ambassadors for charity Retraining of Racehorses (RoR).

The two jockeys have both have provided homes to horses that played a pivotal role in their racing careers.

Frankie and his wife Catherin gave a home to Fujiyama Crest until he passed away aged 23.

The horse gave Dettori his final winner of his magnificent seven at Ascot in 1995.

Looks Like Trouble (pictured), who H&H columnist Richard partnered to victory in the 2000 Cheltenham Gold Cup, is spending his retirement at the family’s Herefordshire home.

“It’s wonderful news that Richard and Frankie have agreed to be RoR ambassadors,” said Di Arbuthnot, chief executive of RoR.

She said both the jockeys “recognise the importance of racing demonstrating its support for the work of RoR and know exactly what is involved with giving a racehorse a second home”.

The jockeys’ ambassadorial duties include attending RoR’s parades on racecourses and making presentations at RoR competitions and events.

They will be giving the prizes at the annual RoR awards, held for the first time last year.

“Thanks to the work of RoR, there are so many more options for former racehorses, such as polo, showing, dressage and eventing,” said Frankie.

He said this was not case when he bought Fujiyama Crest at the sales 15 years ago.

“I don’t know what would have happened to him had we not bought him. He meant a lot to all the family and all my children rode him,” he added.

“It’s really important that all involved, owners, trainers and jockeys, consider what happens to horses when their racing careers are over and that we promote the fact that they can excel in other disciplines long after they finish racing,” said Richard Johnson.

“One would expect a Gold Cup winner such as Looks Like Trouble to want for nothing in his retirement, but it should not matter what they achieved on the track, they all deserve the chance of a fulfilling second career.”

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Dodging Bullets took the spoils in a thrilling Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham this afternoon (Wednesday 11 March).

In the run up to the race past winners Sprinter Sacre and Sire De Grugy had been the focus of attention. Both lined up for the 2015 race, but it was this season’s Tingle Creek and Clarence House Chase winner that came home a length and a quarter in front for trainer Paul Nicholls.

Sire De Grugy finished fourth while Sprinter Sacre was pulled up by jockey Barry Geraghty.

Dodging Bullets, who was bred by Flat jockey Frankie Dettori, won under Sam Twiston-Davies in the feature race of day two of the Festival.

“It feels unbelievable,” said Sam. “This fellow jumps, stays and gallops which is the perfect combination for this race.”

Eleven-year-old Somersby, trained by Mick Channon, put in an excellent performance to finish second at 33-1, while Henry De Bromhead’s Special Tiara, who had made the running throughout, was in third.

It was a fifth win the two-mile chase for Paul.

“I know the other two were past champions but I couldn’t see why they were behind us in the betting, it must have been on sentiment,” said Paul.

“Dodging Bullets was the progressive young horse and it’s them that usually come out on top, he should have been favourite on form.

“The horse won’t run again this season and I expect we’ll be dreaming all summer. The whole aim will be to come here again in a year’s time. We might take in the Tingle Creek along the way.

“It’s great for the whole team and great to win the Champion Chase again — I really love this race. He is such a special horse to all the team that own him.”

Dodging Bullets was sold for just 8,000gns as a yearling when he was aimed at the Flat. He was then bought by Tom Malone to join Nicholls’ Ditcheat yard.

“Sam gave him a fantastic ride — he jumped like a stag and was gutsy all the way to the line,” said Frankie Dettori who was at Cheltenham cheering on the seven-year-old.

“He was bred to win the Derby but this is second best. It’s the equivalent of the 100m final at the Olympics and what a horse. You have to give credit to Dodging Bullets, he did all the work.

“I watched it with the owners and my legs were shaking a little bit walking down the steps, I was so excited. It’s completely different and unusual to have those feelings when I don’t have anything to do with it. I’m so pleased for Martin [Broughton, owner] and Paul.”

Sprinter Sacre fine after being pulled up

The nine-year-old “black aeroplane” was pulled up towards the end of the race.

The popular winner of the 2013 Champion Chase was having his second run after being out for more than a year following a heart condition.

Sprinter Sacre was pulled up in the 2013 Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton, and returned to the track in January at Ascot, where he was beaten by Dodging Bullets.

His return to Cheltenham today was hotly anticipated but it wasn’t the fairytale that fans wished it could have been.

However, trainer Nicky Henderson reported that the horse was “fine” and that he’d be “very surprised” if there was an issue with his heart still as it hadn’t been a problem the past year.

Sprinter Sacre will now be scoped and checked by vets.

“We’ll let the vets check him over and see what they say,” said jockey Barry Geraghty. “I knew at the first down the back so we’ll just have to wait and see. He seemed to still enjoy his racing.”

Ground too quick for Sire De Grugy

Last season’s winner Sire De Grugy was a popular win for the Moore family. Trained by Gary and ridden by his son Jamie, all eyes were once again on the nine-year-old gelding this year.

But the road to Cheltenham wasn’t easy for him either, picking up and injury along the way and falling at Newbury in February in a prep run.

Jockey Jamie Moore said the ground was too quick for their stable star today.

“I thought before the race the ground was ok but I do think it is quicker than last year. That was seen by the fact that the horses at the front end have been able to keep going on that bit longer because the ground was that bit quicker,” he said.

“He’ll run again this season. He’ll be alright. Look he has been beaten but it happens.”

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French racehorse Treve (pictured) proved she was queen of Longchamp at the weekend (Sunday 5 October) — taking the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for the second year running.

Treve became the first dual winner of the world’s richest turf race since Alleged in 1977/78. The win also escalated her to Europe’s highest-earning female, having now won £5,391,948.

Credit was given to her trainer Criquette Head-Maarek, who was one of the few that hadn’t written the four-year-old off after disappointing performances this summer.

The filly finished third at Royal Ascot and fourth in the Prix Vermeille last month. After Ascot it was found she had problems with a hoof, but following veterinary treatment Criquette insisted on having a second shot at the Arc. Treve rewarded her trainer’s faith, as well as her supporters, winning at 11-1.

“The only thing I can say is that it is the best race I’ve ever won — when you have to prepare a horse with problems and you win,” she said.

Last year Treve stormed to victory in the Arc, winning by five lengths. This year she won by two lengths ahead of Flintshire and Oaks winner Taghrooda — trained by John Gosden, who was sent off favourite.

“She’s some horse,” jockey Paul Hanagan remarked of Treve after the race.

Another British raider, the Roger Varian-trained St Leger winner Kingston Hill, finished fourth.

In the build up to the race jockey Frankie Dettori was controversially replaced by French rider Thierry Jarnet, who won in 2013 aboard the filly.

Frankie, as owner Sheikh Joaan’s retained rider, was due to partner Treve in 2013 but was on the sidelines with a broken ankle. And a year later Criquette was insistent Thierry took the ride.

“It was very important for me to have Thierry on board,” said Criquette. “I know him, he knows the filly, he knows her turn of foot, he knows what gaps she will go through.”

It was a fourth win in the race for the 47-year-old Frenchman — he also won in 1992 with Subotica and in 1994 with Carnegie.

“The fact that she had all those niggling problems meant it was a different kind of performance and the fact is the Vermeille facilitated the run. Obviously I feel a huge part of history — so few horses have won the Arc twice,” he said.

Treve was retired after the race, and looks set to head to owner Sheikh Joaan al Thani’s stud. Early indications suggest she will go to Galileo.

For full report, pictures and comment from H&H columnist Ralph Beckett don’t miss Thursday’s issue of H&H (9 October).

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