Frankie Dettori Interview - July Horse Racing News & Updates

Frankie Dettori: The late Queen Elizabeth put me right back in my box after winning the King George, why seeing Constitution Hill in the Melbourne Cup would be like McGregor vs Mayweather & Billy Loughnane is like Kimi Antonelli - he can be the face of racing

Speaking to Stake, legendary jockey Frankie Dettori spoke about the upcoming King George & Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Glorious Goodwood meetings as well as other topics from the world of horse racing.

In the latest of his monthly blogs, Dettori discussed how recovering from a recent car crash compares to the injuries he’s had on a horse, as well as speaking about the future of the sport and how Billy Loughnane might be able to emulate Kimi Antonelli's popularity in F1 racing.

Read on to see what the world's greatest jockey had to say and you just might find some unique insights before placing your sports bets here at Stake Sportsbook!

Starting with the King George at Ascot. It's a race you won seven times, including three times on Enable. First of all, just how good was she? You've ridden some belters, but where is she in your top three or top five?

To be the first horse to win three was pretty crazy. Enable was my favorite horse I ever rode. In my opinion, she probably wasn't the best overall - I think Dubai Millennium and Golden Horn were better than her. But that's a personal opinion; she was my absolute favourite.

It was funny when I won my fourth King George. The Queen gives you the trophy, and I was joking on the podium. I said something like, "This is my fourth King George," and she told me, "Well, Lester won seven," putting me straight back in my box!

But then you went on and won seven yourself! Unfortunately, she's not here anymore to remind her.

I know. She was with me for four years and was a great character. If you do the job I used to do, you have to love horses. She emotionally took me places that other horses didn't.

When you go and win two Arcs, a Breeders' Cup in America, three King Georges, and all the Oaks she won - she took me in front of crowds that absolutely adored her. I was part of this beautiful journey for four years, which is why I loved her so much.

Looking ahead to this year's renewal, it's a stellar field: Calandagan, Auguste Rodin, Middle Earth. There's a galaxy of stars. What are your initial thoughts?

I like Emily Upjohn. She was just beaten in the Oaks last year by Aidan O'Brien's filly (Tuesday), and she finished a good third in the Prince of Wales's Stakes over a shorter trip of a mile and a quarter.

Calandagan and the Japanese horses are very good, but I really feel that going back to a mile and a half, you're going to see the best out of her. She was super good last year, and she would be my pick.

What do you make of Water To Wine for the Gosdens?

He came into Royal Ascot having won two races very easily, but in my opinion, it was a bridge too far. He got thrown in the deep end. Maybe it was the ground, but you're going to get the same ground with the current forecast. I think he's got a lot to prove, taking on horses with amazing, proven Group 1 form when he hasn't quite got there yet.

What are the particular challenges of the King George for a jockey and a horse?

It's like an Arc de Triomphe in the summer. It's the heavyweights. When Enable won it, she had a three-year-old allowance plus a filly allowance, and I had to be on a strict diet for a week to do 8st 7lb.

It's a proper, tough, grueling mile and a half in the summer. You only have to go back to Bustino and Grundy in '75, or my massive duel with Crystal Ocean where we went hammer and tongs for two furlongs. That's what the King George brings to the table. It’s a serious examination of a horse and jockey on fast ground in the heat.

Before that, we've got the Irish Oaks. The field is headed by Joseph O'Brien's fillies and Dermot Weld's Ezeliya, who won the Epsom equivalent. Where would you put your money?

I looked at it today, and I couldn't get past Ezeliya. Forget her last race - she was running back in distance against older horses, and everything was against her. If you glance back to the way she won the Oaks against her own age group, I can't see past her. She's back against her own age and back at the distance she loves.

Joseph O'Brien is almost as good as his dad at the moment, isn't he?

He's doing amazing. When he was a jockey, I rode against him - an amazing horseman. He's put his knowledge of riding into training and has become so good. He's won a Melbourne Cup, he's won an Oaks, and he's unbelievable. He's a very, very good trainer.

Have you had a chance to look at Glorious Goodwood? The Goodwood Cup, the Sussex Stakes, and the Nassau?

I'm looking forward to seeing Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes. The Goodwood Cup will probably be a rematch with Kyprios and Trawlerman.

I haven't gotten my head around the Nassau yet because we might see the winner of the Falmouth back up.

Goodwood is possibly the most picturesque track in Europe. Sitting on top of the downs with the racetrack in the background is amazing. It’s five days of beautiful summer racing and a big part of our summer calendar.

We had a magnificent Royal Ascot, but Hong Kong's Ka Ying Rising opted for the Everest instead. Does it make you sad that money is put before heritage and prestige?

I'm not sad, but like everybody else, we would love to see him here to showcase his ability. Black Caviar did it, and there are so many other Australian sprinters who have. It would be great for the European people to see it, but we can still admire him from afar.

To keep beating his own records is really special.

Aidan O'Brien is chasing three trainers' championships in Ireland, England, and possibly France. How incredible is that?

Everybody thought when Galileo passed away, that would be the end of him, but actually, he's just as good or better. He's an amazing trainer. His horses are super consistent, he showcases them around the world, and he's not scared of running them.

He started training in '96, and look what he's achieved. I was very lucky to ride Classic winners for him. There are so many superlatives to explain how good he is.

The Arc De Triomphe is such a big chunk - it’s like the Jumps season with the Grand National where it can decide things. If he has a nice summer in Deauville - the Prix Jacques Le Marois, the Prix Morny - and then gets into the autumn then the Arc, it is a possibility he could win all three.

France Galop has just said they will open Arc entries to allow geldings to compete. What do you make of that?

As a jockey, I really don't have an opinion on it. If you're on a good one, it doesn't matter what sex it is - or if there's no sex at all! I'm not a breeder or a trader, so I'm kind of neutral in that debate.

Constitution Hill won't make the Ebor. Where would you like to see him go?

As a fan, I'd like to see him go to the Melbourne Cup! We know he stays.

At his age, we’ve seen him unluckily fall the last few times. He had a small career on the Flat and did okay. As a fan I would like to see him in the Melbourne Cup.

It would add a twist to the Melbourne Cup that we've never seen before - like Conor McGregor fighting Floyd Mayweather!

Have you heard about the new American horse racing league initiative with Greg Maffei, creating team events?

I've only read the headlines. If the Americans can't make it work, then no one can, I suppose. But I really can't give an opinion because I don't know the logistics or how it will be structured.

You've been in the wars recently with a car crash. How are you?

I broke two ribs in the back, two in the front, and had a small bit of bleeding near my spleen. They kept me in the hospital for a couple of days, did all the tests, and I got the all-clear. It's been over two weeks now, and I'm slowly coming off the painkillers. But broken ribs just take time.

Laughing and coughing are painful. Back in the day, I would be chasing to get back riding quickly, but luckily I don't have to chase anything at the moment. I'm resting slowly, though I must say I'm a bit bored!

Do you count your blessings? You’ve survived a plane crash and now this car crash.

You don't wake up in the morning thinking you're going to have a car crash; it just happens. Fortunately, I was okay, and the other guy was okay. I was concussed a little bit and in pain, rushed to the hospital - no different than having a fall on the racetrack.

Are you still planning to ride in the St Leger Legends race for the Injured Jockeys Fund?

If you ask me right now, I'm not in any state to even run, never mind sit on a horse. I agreed to do it, and if I'm in good enough shape nearer the time, I will. But I'm very far away from getting on a horse right now.

When you are bored, does it whet your appetite for a comeback?

No. When I was at Longchamp, Gérald Mossé, who is 60 or 61, asked me, "Do you miss it?" I said, "No actually, Gerald, I don't!"

I don’t miss it, I did it for 39 years, and by the end of it, I was burned out and tired of it. I’m way too old, I dream about going racing, but I don't dream about riding.

How is your role as an ambassador and advisor for Amo Racing going?

It's been a bit of a rollercoaster because I was in South America, then the season started, then Royal Ascot, then a car crash! Everything’s happened so much I haven’t had a chance.

But I do follow Kia Joorabchian’s horses, and we are slowly building it up and having winners. Racing is a marathon, not a sprint. I'm enjoying being part of it, giving my advice and trying to make Amo more successful.

Is there anywhere in the world you wish you'd ridden?

I've done over 30 countries, but even when I was in South America I didn't get to do Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Colombia, or Mexico. I haven’t done South Korea or New Zealand - it’s impossible to do them all.

My wife and I are thinking of going back to South America this winter to visit those countries. I'm Latin, so maybe we have something in common! They love their racing so much, and places like Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay have great infrastructure.

Would you like to see A Question of Sport return? Who would be racing's best captain?

Absolutely, I’d love to see it return. The funniest team captain from the world of racing would be Martin Dwyer.

But for a nice, knowledgeable, squeaky-clean guy, it would be Billy Loughnane. He's got that cheeky smile, fresh young look, and is super talented.

He's like Kimi Antonelli in Formula One, he’s 19, has a good smile, is super-talented, people like him - Billy is the perfect person to sell the sport going forward.

Could we see Frankie the racing TV pundit on ITV or Sky?

For sure. I still watch every major race. You can't just drop racing like that; it's my life. I'd absolutely be happy to do TV.

Finally, Arsenal managed to get over the finishing line - how did you enjoy that?

I felt sorry for Declan Rice at the World Cup; he wasn't well and looked very subdued in the last couple of matches. He is an absolute leader with Odegaard for Arsenal. We need Arsenal to win the Champions League next!