Under the floodlights of a Brazilian racecourse, with the crowd watching closely, Frankie Dettori brought the curtain down on one of horse racing’s most unforgettable careers.
The 55-year-old chose an international stage for his goodbye, ending 35 years in the saddle with a victory that felt fitting for a man who always loved the big moment.
Ending on a High in Brazil
Dettori’s final act came on Sunday night in Rio de Janeiro, where he guided Bet You Can to victory in the Grande Premio Estado do Rio De Janeiro.
As soon as the race was over, the emotion was clear.
Dettori looked relieved, proud, and at peace.
“I can rest now,” he said afterward, smiling.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better way to finish.
From the minute I got on the horse, it felt phenomenal. It’s a great place to finish — trust me.”
And just to make sure nobody forgot who he was, Dettori signed off with one last flying dismount — the trademark flourish that became as famous as his name.
A Career That Changed the Sport
For decades, Dettori wasn’t just a jockey — he was the jockey.
With his fearless style, razor-sharp instincts in tight finishes, and gift for soundbites, he helped drag horse racing out of its stiff image and into the mainstream during the 1990s.
At his peak, he was almost unbeatable in a final furlong battle.
His charisma made him bigger than the sport itself, to the point where simply saying “Frankie” was enough for fans to know exactly who you meant.
Racing may move on, but it’s hard to imagine another figure quite like him.
The Glory Years and Eye-Watering Success
Across his glittering career, Dettori rode more than 3,300 winners and is believed to have earned close to £20 million from racing alone.
His standout year came in 2019, when horses he partnered generated £7.3 million in prize money.
That season included dazzling performances at Royal Ascot and a golden partnership with the brilliant Enable for trainer John Gosden.
Of course, no career summary is complete without mentioning September 1996, when Dettori achieved the unthinkable — seven wins from seven rides at Ascot in a single day, later immortalised as The Magnificent Seven.
Beating Rivals, Not Time
Even the greatest athletes eventually face an opponent they can’t outpace.
Dettori turned 55 in December, and while his skill never disappeared, time was always going to win in the end.
From a health and well-being perspective, stepping away this winter — after a handful of rides in South America — made sense.
Still, there’s an undeniable sense of loss.
Racing has said goodbye to a man who didn’t just win races, but sold the sport to a global audience.
The Shadow of Financial Trouble
Dettori’s final year in racing has been shaped by more than just farewells.
In March last year, he was declared bankrupt after failing to pay a tax bill of more than £750,000, a revelation he described as both sad and embarrassing.
The three-time champion jockey had been locked in a long-running dispute with HMRC and admitted he had been trying to “unravel the mess” left behind by a financial adviser.
No solution emerged, and despite his fame and past earnings, bankruptcy became unavoidable.
How the Numbers Didn’t Add Up
According to documents filed at Companies House, both Frankie Dettori Limited and Newmarket Activities Limited had no funds available to repay creditors.
By last October, Dettori reportedly owed £765,000 to HMRC and £6,391 to a car leasing company.
Once liquidation costs were added, the total bill climbed to nearly £889,000 — a figure expected to be largely absorbed by the taxpayer.
The financial strategy at the centre of the dispute involved a so-called “disguised remuneration” scheme, where money was paid into a trust and then returned as supposedly non-taxable income.
HMRC ruled the arrangement a sham.
Tax expert Dan Neidle didn’t mince his words, calling the idea that such payments were tax-deductible “beyond stupid.”
Owning the Mistake
When news of his bankruptcy became public, Dettori issued a candid statement, admitting his regret and urging others to take control of their finances more carefully.
“I am saddened and embarrassed by this outcome,” he said.
“Bankruptcy is a major decision, and its consequences will affect me for many years.”
For a man used to winning, it was a rare and painful public loss.
Staying in the Game, Just Not in the Saddle
Although his riding days are over, Dettori isn’t walking away from racing entirely.
He is set to remain in the sport as a full-time global brand ambassador for Amo Racing, the operation owned by football agent Kia Joorabchian.
His last ride in Britain came back in October 2023, when he delivered a masterclass aboard King Of Steel to win the QIPCO Champion Stakes — a reminder, right to the end, of his enduring brilliance.
So, What Comes Next?
Frankie Dettori’s story now enters a new chapter.
The helmet and silks may be gone, but his presence, reputation, and influence will linger around racecourses worldwide.
The wins, the losses, the headlines, and the hard lessons have all shaped a career unlike any other.
One thing is certain: racing won’t forget Frankie — and Frankie, it seems, isn’t quite done with racing either.
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