Frankie: The Autobiography of Frankie Dettori

by Frankie Dettori

Irresistible to the punters, champion jockey Frankie Dettori is a charismatic personality with an easy charm and immaculate dress sense that make him an instant favourite on the track and a household name off it. His autobiography has been fully updated to include Frankie’s record-breaking racing exploits in 2004.In his own words, Frankie Dettori charts 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.Frankie relives his nine Classic winners in the UK and talks about his notable victories at the St Leger, The Breeder’s Cup Mile, the Arc de Triomphe, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, and, memorably, his seven winners on the same card at Ascot in 1996. He also shares the secrets of his successful partnerships with trainers like Luca Cumani and John Gosden, and owners such as Sheikh Mohammed of the Goldolphin organisation.This is also a human interest story. Frankie talks openly about using drugs to keep his weight down, his celebrity role as team captain on ‘A Question of Sport’, his rich and varied lifestyle outside of racing, including his family and inner circle, and of the moment when he almost lost his life following a plane crash.Controversial, informative and hugely entertaining, Frankie Dettori’s life story will appeal to the millions of people who follow the sport as well as those intrigued to know more about one of the greatest talents that horse-racing has ever seen.

448 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2004

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dettori's self penned summary of his life up to August 2004, focusing on his horse racing career, from Italy, via his main career in the UK, to his globe trotting missions for the Godolphin stable. There's a whole chapter on Frankie's 'Magnificent Seven' at Ascot and on his near-death experience in the infamous plane crash he was involved in with Ray Cochrane. For what it's worth the book definitely has the 'media voice' of Frankie but fails to really open up his true self in my opinion. Interesting factual read from a racing perspective. 4 out of 12

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not fond of biographies where the subject is still heavily immersed in their field. Frankie Dettori is still a very popular and accomplished jockey and I feel this book will quickly be outdated. However, I enjoyed learning more about his history, something I knew nothing about, and appreciated the candidness he used in laying it all out, good and bad, and being open about taking the blame when it was accorded him.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frankie Dettori was born in 1970 in Milan. His father was a jockey and his mother was a circus performer. He grew up around horses and around the track, and eventually became a jockey himself in 1987. He began doing flying dismounts, which made him easily identifiable to crowds. He was eventually hired on by Godolphin, where he had an exceptional career. Detorri almost lost his life in a plane crash in 2000, and cut down on riding considerably after that. Detorri was often on tv doing various things. He did struggle with substances, as many jockeys do. He has been very vocal about the issues of substances, eating disorders, and mental health in the jockey world. I admire that greatly about him. Currently, Detorri is facing some financial issues, which I hate to see. I hope that his life improves and things settle down for him. I always enjoyed watching him ride, and I appreciated this candid memoir about his career and struggles.

[Rebecca Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Loved it anyone who follows racing and likes frankie it’s a must read! Couldn’t put it down highly recommend it