Frankie Dettori’s iconic career ended at the end of last month and he will be remembered as one of the all time greats (Sky Sports Racing)
Dave Mollett
Among the many words of wisdom hailing from the UK’s Timeform organisation, is the following. “The adjective “great” has been so overused that it has virtually lost its meaning.”
Probably very true, but I believe that on January 31 we said goodbye to a sporting “great” in world-renowned jockey, Frankie Dettori.
That last Saturday in January was memorable for two jockeys both in their fifties. Andrew Fortune rolled back the years to land a four-timer at Hollywoobets Kenilworth (including the WSB Met) while Fanke Dettori – presumably for a huge appearance fee – hung up his saddle with a double in Brazil.
There was no lack of criticism of the Italian in the British media for not having his last ride in the UK, but the 55 year-old won’t care about that especially with his much-publicised tax problems.
For Andrew Fortune, now sadly sidelined with a broken shoulder, it has been a question of getting up off the canvas. For a bounce back from adversity, his story takes some beating.
Both Andrew and Frankie have had their problems with drugs. Andrew has made no secret about this, but it came as a shock to Frankie’s legion of fans when – in 2012 – he was slapped with a 6-month ban by the Paris stewards after failing a test.
If one googles the videos of Frankie’s career, what stands out – and makes him great – is his winning association with the best horses in the world’s best races.
So many are household names – Enable, Dubai Millennium and Cracksman are three who immediately spring to mind, particularly the first-named who will surely always have a special place in Frankie’s heart because of her Arc exploits. Worth remembering that – as a three year-old – she won the Oaks, King George and the Arc.
Though Dubai Millennium ran out an eight lengths winner of the Dubai World Cup, I’m not sure I would rate him ahead of Cracksman whose victories in the 2017 and 2018 Champion Stakkes can only be described as “super impressive.”
When he reflects on his career spanning 35 years which he now has time to do, Frankie might well ask “did that all really happen to me?” That all included 288 Gr 1 winners, three UK jockey championships, six Arcs and Gold Cup glory on Stradivarius. He had to wait till he was 36 – at his 15th attempt – for his first Derby win on Authorized.
Of course, the biggest day of his career came at Ascot in September 1996 when he rode all seven winners on the card. The headline was the “Magnificent Seven” and bookmakers reportedly lost millions of pounds.
His charismatic character made him the perfect target for other sports to turn his way and he was torch-bearer for the Olympic Games and made a number of appearances on TV shows.
The downside included losing the Godolphin job after many as well as his fall-out – then make-up- with John Gosden. Enable really cemented that partnership with Frankie saying she simply “had a will to win.”
Then there was the crash of a light aircraft in June 2000 which left Frankie and fellow jockey, Ray Cochrane, scrambling for safety and the pilot dead. Frankie escaped with just a broken ankle.
Frankie married his wife, Catherine, in 1997 and they have five children. In 2008 – while Frankie was here to ride in an “international” race at Turffontein- Phumelela asked if my wife and I would chaperone the couple – as well as Mick Kinane and his wife also Catherine – on a three-day visit to Mala Mala.
To say this trip was an eyeopener is an understatement. On arrival at the game reserve, Frankie’s first question was “Molly, where’s the bar – I need some champagne.” The only stipulation was that the six of us had nightly dinners with Mike Rattray which was an outstanding experience with some great wine.
On our departure, I asked the bar manager how many bottles of champers had been consumed and his reply was 27. I said “Blimey, that’s going to cost us a pretty penny,” and there was considerable relief when he said “Mr R says it’s on the house”. What did I learn about Frankie on that trip? Mainly that this is a guy with a happy go lucky persona and it’s simply fun to be in his company.
Of course, it is Frankie’s flying dismounts that have become a trademark following his many big race successes. Sad to think we won’t be witnessing those any more as the 2026 British Flat season draws near.
We all have our different favourites in sport, but if asked to nominate a “great” footballer I’d go for Diego Maradona and – in tennis – probably Novak Djokovic just shading Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Lester Piggott was obviously a great but so – I believe – was Frankie Dettori. His big race wins all over the world mark him as someone special.
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Exciting new names in the stallion ranks will be the big drawcard for next Sunday’s Cape Yearling Sale in Constantia.
Two of the most talented and popular performers in recent years have been Jet Dark and Kommetdieding. Interestingly, both are represented by seven of their progeny in the 140-lot catalogue.
Three of the first four yearlings through the ring on Sunday are by these two sires and there could be some early fireworks for Drakenstein’s Jet Dark colt, Fill My Heart (lot 4) as the youngster is a half-brother to Gr 3 winner, Hold My Hand. This filly has also been placed in the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000.
Drakenstein have come up with a catchy advert in the catalogue stating that Jet Dark Yearlings Are Ready for Take-Off. Flight Plan: Black Type.
Varsfontein (as agent) send the first yearling into the ring and this is a daughter of Jet Dark out of the seven-time winner, Elusive Fortune. The majority of Varsfontein’s strong draft are sons or daughters of Erik The Red.
The same stud, whose drafts are always worth close scrutiny, will be expecting some lively bidding for their Master Of My Fate colt, Mansa Musa (lot 106). This youngster is a half-brother to Cape Guineas third, Randolph Hearst.
Wilgerbosdrift have a draft of 15 yearlings by a number of different sires including Buffalo Bill Cody, Fire Away and Hawwaam. A son of Buffalo Bill Cody named Saint Louis (lot 134) catches the eye on pedigree as he is out of the Sadlers Wells mare, Dagana.
The first produce of Durban July and Met winner, Kommetdieding, have been eagerly awaited and Klawervlei will have some choice youngsters headed for the National Yearling Sales at Germiston in April.
Prosper Stud (as agent) have consigned one of his sons (lot 44) who is out of the four-time winning Australian mare, More Than That. The same stud have the second yearling into the ring in the Captain Of All filly, All A Lady, also out of an Australian mare.
