Lanfranco “Frankie” Dettori MBE has had an illustrious and decorated career. From his beginnings in Milan under the watchful eye of his jockey father Gianfranco Dettori to moving to Newmarket to work with trainer Luca Cumani, he went from strength to strength. He soon became the first teenager since the renowned Lester Piggott to win 100 races in one season, and his talent bloomed from there. There have been hiccoughs, loss, and drama, but it has been a lifetime of making history partnered with his dearest equine friends.
Dettori hangs up his riding boots later this year, but there’s still time to see the Italian legend take to the track and maybe even that victorious flying dismount.
Guineas Festival (5-7 May)
Newmarket Racecourse Rowley Mile, Newmarket, UK
The home of flat racing became Dettori’s home too, so it seems fitting to start with Newmarket. The Guineas Festival at the Rowley Mile features 2 of the UK’s 5 Classic Races (the 1000 Guineas and the 2000 Guineas), the oldest and most important races of the British flat racing season. He has 3 x 2000 Guineas and 4 x 1000 Guineas, and 2022 saw him win his 20th Classic. Racegoers can bring their own picnic and enjoy the relaxed Garden Enclosure for just GBP £16 or splash out on entry into the Premier Enclosure for £47 on 2000 Guineas day. Dettori may also ride at the July Festival (13-15 July) at Newmarket’s July Course.
Epsom Derby Festival (2-3 Jun)
Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom, UK
The next Classic in the UK calendar is the iconic Epsom Derby, a victory in which eluded Dettori until 2007 when he finally won it on Authorized. The Derby Festival also features the Oaks, a fillies Classic (making up the Triple Crown along with the 1000 Guineas and St. Leger), and a race that the Italian jockey has won 6 times. If counting those watching the event without tickets from the Epsom Downs, a single day of the Epsom Derby Festival can attract 130,000 people. You can experience close-up views of the course for as little as £20!
Royal Ascot (20-24 Jun)
Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, UK
As a 5-day fixture, there’s plenty up for grabs at the royal meeting. This will be the first Royal Ascot since the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, and her joyous passion for racing – shared on occasion in chats with Dettori – will be sorely missed. Racegoers can still expect plenty of pageantry and can experience a day at the course for just £29 in the Windsor Enclosure. Dettori will plan to return to Ascot later in the year for British Champions Day (21 Oct), especially after being inducted into the British Champions Series Hall of Fame in 2022. The precursor to this meeting also played host to one of Dettori’s most impressive feats: winning all 7 races on one day in 1996.
Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival (23-26 Aug)
York Racecourse, York, UK
The significant meeting in the North solidified Dettori’s friendships with some of the finest horses he has ever ridden (and has ever been ridden). The much-loved Enable rode to victory twice in the Yorkshire Oaks. Stradivarius loved racing with Dettori at York and the pair won the Lonsdale Cup 3 times, as well as the Yorkshire Cup at the Dante Festival in May a further 3 times. After Stradivarius was retired at the end of 2022, it seems appropriate that Dettori too should say farewell so soon after. Tickets start at just £15 for the Clocktower Enclosure.
St. Leger Festival (14-17 Sep)
Doncaster Racecourse, Doncaster, UK
The third and final of the year’s Triple Crown Classics for both colts and fillies is the St. Leger Stakes which is run at Doncaster in September. Dettori first won the race in 1995 on the suitably named Classic Cliché and it has been a very successful race for him over the years. After the 2022 festival was cut short following the death of the Queen, the 2023 event returns to its usual format offering 4 days of incredible action, stylish spectators, and a celebratory atmosphere. With ticket prices starting at just £11, it’s the perfect place to cap off the summer!
Breeders’ Cup World Championships (3-4 Nov)
Santa Anita Park, Los Angeles, United States
The Breeders’ Cup is expected to be Dettori’s last hurrah and where better for a jockey with star status and celebrity flair than Los Angeles. Santa Anita Park welcomes the culmination of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge, crowning world champions in the 14 divisions that comprise the championship event. In 2018, Dettori’s beloved Enable won the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs, so the event has emotional appeal for the jockey and will seemingly be a fitting final fling. As Dettori thanks the horses that have helped him to victory time and again, the racing world says thank you to him.