‘I would have loved to be a footballer but I was mediocre and small, so I got into racing with my jockey dad’: In a Q&A, Frankie Dettori reveals his favourite track, best career moment… and which film makes him cry
Frankie Dettori leaves British racing with five rides on Champions Day at Ascot before heading to the United States.
The legendary jockey, 52, has racked up more than 3,300 victories in a remarkable career spanning 35 years.
Dettori makes his final appearance in front of a British crowd at King of Steel in the Champion Stakes.
Beforehand, Dettori has four other opportunities to sign off in style as he rides Trawlerman in the Long Distance Cup (1:15 p.m.), Kinross in the Champions Sprint (1:50 p.m.), Free Wind in the Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (2:25 p.m. p.m.) and Chaldean in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (3:05 p.m.).
Here, Dettori takes part in a quick Q&A with Marcus Townend, Mail Sport’s Racing Editor.
Jockey Frankie Dettori (above) leaves British racing with five rides at Ascot on Saturday
How did you get into racing?
As a child I went racing with my jockey father Gianfranco in Italy. I played football in the racecourse car parks with other children, some of whom also became jockeys. They also watched their parents compete in races.
WHO HAS THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR CAREER?
Again, I have to say Dad, because without him I wouldn’t be here. He got me started.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE NOT A JOCKEY?
I would have loved to be a footballer, but I was average and small, so I would have to do something, somewhere with horses.
FAVORITE RACING COURSE?
Simple answer, Ascot.
DO YOU SUPPORT A TEAM AND WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER?
I support Arsenal and Juventus. At the moment, Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli is my favorite player because he is in top form and makes the difference.
WHICH MOMENT OR EVENT HAS GIVEN YOU THE MOST SATISFACTION IN YOUR CAREER?
The most satisfying moment was Golden Horn winning the 2015 Derby, but my biggest achievement was going all the way through the card and winning all seven races at Ascot in 1996.
The most satisfying moment for Dettori was winning the Golden Horn in the Epsom Derby in 2015
WHAT IS THE MOST memorable match, concert or event you have attended?
I went to see Italy versus Spain in the European Championship semi-final at Wembley. We won and beat England in the final, but I didn’t go there because I was superstitious and didn’t want to curse them!
DO YOU HAVE PETS?
We are now dealing with my German Shepherd, who is spoiled rotten, but we used to have cats, chickens, donkeys, emus, guinea fowl and horses and lots of small animals such as giant snails, turtles, guinea pigs and rabbits. We had it all.
WHAT WOULD YOUR DESERT ISLAND DISC BE?
Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. That’s a great song.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE?
The very weak movie I watch with the kids is Gladiator. It’s very cheesy, but it always makes me cry.
TEA OR COFFEE?
Coffee, per liter! I’ll probably start with a cappuccino, then loose espressos and, if I’m feeling fancy, a macchiato with a dash of milk.
WHITE OR RED WINE?
In general, I drink white – it’s better for my weight, but I like red in winter.
FAVORITE TAKEAWAY MEAL?
I don’t really do takeaways but I like Japanese food and would buy some sushi.
Dettori started racing as a child after seeing his jockey father Gianfranco in Italy
DO YOU WATCH SOAP OPERAS?
Not now, but I did thirty years ago. That’s how I learned to speak English when I first arrived in England. I was staying with a man and we raced home on our bikes to get back quickly because our landlady always left free cookies next to the teapot. Whoever came home first got to eat them!
We had a television in our room and there were only four TV channels. We usually watched snooker, otherwise we watched soaps. It was when EastEnders had 20 million viewers around the time of Dirty Den. Watching it slowly helped me master the English language.
LAST BOOK YOU READ?
I haven’t read one in a while, but the last one was about the jockey Fred Archer, about 10 years ago.
WHERE IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT?
South America. I have been to Brazil and Argentina, but I would like to do Argentina again, as well as Chile, Uruguay and the Inca Trail in Peru. I will when I have more time
CAN YOU COOK OR DO YOU HAVE THE WORLD TO COOK A KETTLE?
When I feel like it, I can cook. I’ll be honest: if I don’t cook, I don’t get any food!
WHO, LIVING OR DEAD, WOULD YOU LIKE TO TALK TO FOR AN HOUR?
This will make you laugh, but I wouldn’t mind talking to Silvio Berlusconi? I never met him. He was very controversial, but a great man.
The jockey said his greatest achievement was making the card and winning all seven races at Ascot in 1996 (pictured, with Mark of Esteem)
DO YOU NEED TO ENGAGE A DIY EXPERT OR A TRADE MAN?
My dad is very good at DIY, but I’m the exact opposite. I probably could, but I’m too lazy.
WHO IS THE FUNNIEST OF YOUR COLLEAGUES?
We miss Martin Dwyer since his injury and retirement, but he was the funniest. There are a lot of young jockeys these days and they all take it very seriously, but I’m sure some will come out of their shells in the coming years.