Frankie Dettori MBE
Areas of Interest
Business, SportsHonorary Award
Honorary Doctor of Science, 2011Biography
Lanfranco 'Frankie' Dettori MBE is a world class flat race jockey. He is one of the elite stars of international horse racing, with his energy, enthusiasm and sheer brilliance in the saddle making him a favourite around the globe. His trademark 'flying dismounts', cheeky sense of humour and dapper dress sense have made him a household name.
Born in Milan in 1970, Frankie followed the lead of his father, Gianfranco Dettori, who was a multiple champion jockey in Italy and enjoyed Classic success in England. His first experience with horses came at the age of twelve when his father bought him a Palomino pony, which he rode often. At 13 he left school to work as a stable boy and at just 15, he left his homeland for England to join Luca Cumani's Newmarket stable as an apprentice.
Frankie's first success came in Italy in 1986 and his initial British win followed at Goodwood just a year later. His talents were recognised and he took the 1989 champion apprentice title in Britain and he became the first teenager since the legendary jockey Lester Piggott to ride a century of winners in a British season when recording 141 successes in 1990.
In 1993 he was appointed retained jockey to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Godolphin racing stables, the world's foremost international racing stable. Frankie went on to ride 233 winners in 1994 as he secured the first of three British jockeys' championships. On 28 September 1996, he won all seven of his races, a feat which had never been accomplished before. Frankie has smashed almost all known horse racing records with over 40 victories at Royal Ascot alone. He has won the Ascot Gold Cup, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Breeders' Cup Classic, to name but a few. He has also won the Dubai World Cup for the Godolphin stable on three occasions - in 2000, 2003 and 2006. Out of 1,000 races a year, he wins around 200, which he admits, is not a bad hit rate.
In 2000 he was awarded an MBE for services to sport.
In addition to his talents as a jockey, he has launched himself into some new arenas, taking up the pastime of after-dinner speaking, and living out one of his earlier dreams of owning a top Italian restaurant chain. He has become a partner in Frankie's Bar and Grill restaurants with renowned chef Marco Pierre White; and has also released a cookbook and has a line of frozen Italian foods. Many will also know him from his many appearances on 'A Question of Sport'.
The link with Anglia Ruskin University and Frankie Dettori comes at a time of unique investment in equine research facilities at our University. It follows the opening of a new Equine Therapy Centre in Cambridge to help Equine Studies degree students learn more about horses, while horses can receive state-of-the-art therapeutic treatments to maintain their overall fitness. This new development will help students to enter the various careers within the horse racing industry, perhaps maybe one day emulating the success of this perfect jockey and colourful character whom we honour today.
Citation
"Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to read the citation for Frankie Dettori MBE for the award of Doctor of Science.
Lanfranco 'Frankie' Dettori MBE is a world class jockey. He is one of the elite stars of international horse racing, with his energy, enthusiasm and sheer brilliance in the saddle making him a favourite around the globe. A firm favourite both on and off the track, this champion flat race jockey can be considered one of sports' most charismatic personalities. His trademark 'flying dismounts', cheeky sense of humour and dapper dress sense have made him a household name.
Born in Milan in 1970, Frankie followed the lead of his father, Gianfranco Dettori, who was a multiple champion jockey in Italy and enjoyed Classic success in England. His first experience with horses came at the age of twelve when his father bought him a Palomino pony, which he rode often. At 13 he left school to work as a stable boy and at just 15, he left his homeland for England to join Luca Cumani's Newmarket stable as an apprentice. He recalls not liking the weather or the food, but he persisted with the training his father had arranged for him. This was in 1985 and his glowing career as a thoroughbred race jockey started very soon after.
Frankie's first success came in Italy in 1986 and his initial British win followed at Goodwood just a year later. His talents were recognised and he took the 1989 champion apprentice title in Britain. Indeed, his potential was such that comparisons were drawn with past champions and he became the first teenager since the legendary jockey Lester Piggott to ride a century of winners in a British season when recording 141 successes in 1990.
This exuberant and much-loved jockey continued to win the hearts and minds of the British public. His first Group One success also came in 1990 when he was on board Luca Cumani-trained Markofdistinction in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, a course which has been very lucky for Frankie Dettori.
He was appointed retained jockey to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Godolphin racing stables in 1993 and went on to ride 233 winners in 1994 as he secured the first of three British jockeys' championships. The Maktoum family's private horseracing stable started in 1992 with a handful of horses and has evolved into the world's foremost international racing stable.
On 28 September 1996, he won all seven of his races, a feat which had never been accomplished before. His 'Magnificent Seven' wins included four in the royal blue silks of Godophin. Frankie has smashed almost all known horse racing records with over 40 victories at Royal Ascot alone. He has won the Ascot Gold Cup, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Breeders' Cup Classic, to name but a few. He has also won the Dubai World Cup for the Godolphin stable on three occasions - in 2000, 2003 and 2006. Out of 1,000 races a year, he wins around 200, which he admits, is not a bad hit rate.
Living near Newmarket with his wife Catherine, who shares his passion for racing, he has five children - Leo, Ella, Mia, Tallulah and Rocco - who also keenly follow his progress.
In 2000 he was awarded an honorary MBE for services to sport. In the same year, Frankie and his close friend and fellow jockey Ray Cochrane survived a plane crash in which the pilot sadly died. This dramatic and tragic event has taught Frankie to be increasingly grateful for his 'blessed' life, and for the support of his family, friends and his richly-rewarding career.
In addition to his talents as a jockey, he has launched himself into some new arenas, taking up the pastime of after-dinner speaking, and living out one of his earlier dreams of owning a top Italian restaurant chain. He has become a partner in Frankie's Bar and Grill restaurants with renowned chef Marco Pierre White; and has also released a cookbook and has a line of frozen Italian foods. Many will also know him from his many appearances on 'A Question of Sport'.
The link with Anglia Ruskin University and Frankie Dettori comes at a time of unique investment in equine research facilities at our University. It follows the opening of a new Equine Therapy Centre in Cambridge to help Equine Studies degree students learn more about horses, while horses can receive state-of-the-art therapeutic treatments to maintain their overall fitness. This new development will help students to enter the various careers within the horse racing industry, perhaps maybe one day emulating the success of this perfect jockey and colourful character whom we honour today.
Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to present Frankie Dettori MBE for the award of Doctor of Science, honoris causa."