Book description
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. 'An odds-on winner' The Irish Field
'He's that rare thing in horseracing - a real superstar' BBC
'A gripping read that will prove a well-received Christmas present for
anybody, whether a racing nut or not.' Horse & Hound
'A great read for anyone interested in racing.' Irish Independent
'Not since Lester Piggott stopped riding has racing been able to
identify itself with a Christian name alone. Way beyond the confines of
the betting office and the racetrack, people know who Frankie is.' The
Sunday Times Frankie Dettori was born in Milan in December 1970. He
was sent to Newmarket at the age of 16 by his father, Lanfranco, a
former Italian champion jockey, where he worked as a bookie before being
taken up by the trainer Luca Cumani. In 1990 he became the first
teenager since Lester Piggott to ride 100 winners in a season. In the
next ten years he became one of the most successful jockeys the flat has
ever seen, and was awarded an MBE in 2000. He is currently the No 1
stable jockey for Godolphin. He has a wife, Catherine, and four children.
Jonathan Powell is horse racing correspondent on the Mail on Sunday.
