Latest news with #Dettori
Daily Mirror
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ascot fans furious as wheelie bins dumped outside Frankie Dettori statue
Race-goers blasted Ascot bosses yesterday as wheelie bins were dumped near a statue of the world famous jockey Frankie Dettori. Guests at the posh festival found the bronze sculpture - depicting the super jockey performing one of his trademark flying dismounts - surrounded by wheelie bins. One fan said: "It's a bloody outrage" while another reveller added: "It looks like Frankie's been dumped." The life-sized statue marks Dettori, 54, riding all seven winners in one day at the Berkshire course in 1996 at staggering odds of 25,051/1. Fans - and bookies - yesterday said they therefore felt it was disrespectful the bins had been abandoned in front of the statue, erected in 2001 by Ascot management. One visitor said: "It's a shame. Frankie's a hero to everyone here. He's won us all money. I think they should leave the bins where they are and move the statue to a more prominent position. Lots of people will want selfies taken with it. They're missing a trick." The sculpture, near the Royal Enclosure, and shows the Italian jockey performing his trademark flying dismount. The army of bins has grown as the week has progressed, according to the Daily Star with, at one stage, six wheelies lined up in front of the statue. When an official spotted photographers taking pictures of the bins two were wheeled away and the others were hastily moved to the side, our sister publication added. But the sight did not go unnoticed by guests at the four-day race meeting, a highlight in the sporting calendar. One said: "It's like an after-thought. It should be in the parade ring to mark where he did his dismounts. It's a bloody outrage." Another said: "I guess this just proves one minute you're hot and the next you're not. It's a bit like someone's book ending up in the bargain basement section." Another joked: "Bloody hell… it's just like Birmingham," in a jibe to the city's ongoing bin strike chaos. Mountains of full rubbish bags and overflowing wheelie bins are lining residential strikes there amid the turmoil. Dettori, who was born in Milan, announced he was filing for bankruptcy in March after a tax dispute. The racing legend, made an MBE in 2001, had been attempting to untangle his tax arrangements in Britain after they were challenged by HMRC after moving to the US. But fans and pundits said this shouldn't detract from Dettori's impressive career and fury around the bins. His "Magnificent Seven" triumphs at odds of more than 25,000/1 at the Festival of British Racing in September 1996 cleaned the bookies out of £1million - and has never been matched since. A spokesman for a major bookmaker said: "It does seem just a little bit trashy of Ascot at Britain's showpiece meeting to place the bins in front of Frankie after the Italian stallion smashed us for millions with his 25,000/1 Magnificent Seven." Daily Star and the Mirror has approached Ascot for comment. Dettori has not responded to requests for comment.
Daily Mirror
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Prince Harry gave playful telling off after Meghan Markle kiss at Royal Ascot
One month after their royal wedding in 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were in attendance at Royal Ascot, with jockey Frankie Dettori stealing the show with a rogue kiss Prince Harry once playfully reprimanded jockey Frankie Dettori after he kissed Meghan Markle at Royal Ascot. Just a month after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's lavish wedding at St. George's Chapel in Windsor, they made a return to Ascot Racecourse for the first day of the historic Royal horse racing event. The couple didn't attend the 2019 event as Meghan was on maternity leave with their first son, Archie. Following their dramatic decision to step down from senior Royal duties in 2020, neither have attended the five-day extravaganza since, spending most of their time in America as their relationship with the Royal Family continues to strain. However, in 2018, they presented the winning trophy for the feature race of the opening day, the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes, with the late Queen Elizabeth II also in attendance, and the winning jockey of the event caused quite a commotion. Dettori was the triumphant rider. The Italian boasts an impressive 81 winners at the Royal meeting over the years and is famed for his charismatic flying dismount, as per Aberdeen Live. The famous jockey, who featured in series 23 of reality TV show I'm a Me Out of Here!, was victorious on board three-year-old colt Without Parole, riding for trainer John Gosden. Dettori was in high spirits after his mount, the 9-4 favourite, burst from the stalls and secured a half-length victory to take home the £300,000 prize. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were spotted in the winners' enclosure post-race, where Dettori received his trophy but not before he cheekily kissed Meghan's hand, prompting a playful telling-off from a blushing Prince Harry who pointed his finger in mock admonishment. The crowd enjoyed a chuckle over the exchange, and the successful Dettori-Gosden duo celebrated further triumphs with Monarchs Glen in the Wolferton Stakes and Calyx in the Coventry Stakes earlier that day. "A fantastic day for the whole team. To have three winners in a week is amazing. To have three winners on the first day is fantastic," Dettori said on their opening day success. Reflecting on the St. James's Palace Stakes, Dettori added: "I was afraid of Ryan (Moore, on long-time race leader US Navy Flag) when he got those three lengths in the straight, as I know what a good horse he is. "I went all guns blazing after him, and a furlong and a half out, I found myself in front with nobody to help me. I was rowing like in the boat race on the Thames to get to the line." Despite the triumphant and incredibly successful day, Dettori was slapped with a seven-day whip ban for his ride on Without Parole and subsequently fined £4,300. FREE £2 William Hill Shop Bets every day of Royal Ascot inside your Mirror We've teamed up with racing experts William Hill to offer your a £2 FREE shop bet every day of the iconic Royal Ascot festival. Pick up your Mirror from Tuesday June 17 -> Saturday June 21, 2025 to get your hands on this great offer. With 12 pages of incredible pullouts every day, PLUS a £2 shop bet, the Mirror is ready to bring you all the runners, riders, and winners of Ascot 2025.
Wales Online
17-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Frankie Dettori set to return to Royal Ascot for first time since bankruptcy declaration
Frankie Dettori set to return to Royal Ascot for first time since bankruptcy declaration Frankie Dettori won 81 times at the Royal meeting and topped the jockey standings at the five-day extravaganza on seven occasions, but he's not back in the saddle at Ascot this week Frankie Dettori will be watching Royal Ascot as a spectator like last year (Image: Wire Image via Getty Images ) Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori is set to return to Royal Ascot this week, albeit not in the saddle. The 54-year-old, who has ridden 81 winners at the five-day racing event and topped the leaderboard for most winners seven times, quit Britain after 35 years at the end of 2023. Despite announcing his retirement, he made a U-turn and resumed his career in the US. This month, he celebrated his biggest win since relocating, riding Raging Torrent to victory in the £1million Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga. Raging Torrent's success has contributed to Dettori's 21 wins in the US in 2025, earning him £2.3m, following a difficult start to the year when he declared bankruptcy in Britain, reports the Mirror. A petition on his behalf was filed in March after his tax arrangements were challenged by HMRC. "I am saddened and embarrassed by this outcome and would advise others to take a stronger rein over their financial matters," he said in a statement at the time. "Bankruptcy is a major decision and its consequences will affect me for many years. I am relieved to be drawing a line on this long-term matter, which enables me to reset and focus on my international riding career." Dettori attended Royal Ascot as a spectator last year and plans to do the same this year, despite feeling the pull to ride competitively again before he retires. "I won't lie to you, I do have the little devil on my shoulder that says to me, 'One more time,' but I just didn't think that this year or last year would have been appropriate," confessed Dettori in a blog for betting site Stake. Article continues below "But I will be coming over to Ascot, with a little bit of anxiety feeling that I could have rode. I did get some offers but I am not going to lie, I do miss it. I had over 80 winners, it has been a huge part of my life. It is quite hard but after a few champagnes, I get over it. I really do miss it though. It's Dettori's first time at the meeting since declaring bankruptcy (Image: Getty Images ) "I will be there this year. There is a bit of a period from now until Saratoga, I will fly over this weekend, it is my daughter's birthday and I will try and see as many kids as I can in my tribe of five, and show my face at Royal Ascot and see some old friends before I come back to Saratoga and start again. I use this opportunity to enjoy the racing and then see the family." Dettori offered his tips for the Group 1 races at Ascot this week, with the action getting underway on Tuesday and running through to Saturday. Queen Anne Stakes: "It is an amazing race. I really like Rosallion, he ran a super race last time out and I would also put in the American horse, Carl Spackler. I was second to him at Keeneland and he absolutely destroyed me. He is a horse that is improving, not a typical American horse as he is easy to handle, the occasion will not get to him. He could be a bit of a price." King Charles III Stakes: "You could name 10 contenders in this race, but I've gone with last year's winner - Asfoora. In my opinion, he stands head and shoulders above the rest. He's had a prep run and I wouldn't be surprised if he's been specifically trained for this race. It's the toughest race of the week to predict." Ascot was a happy hunting ground for the legendary jockey (Image: PA ) St James's Palace Stakes: "This is likely the best race of the week. We might see three Guineas winners competing, but I'd love to see my old boss, John Gosden, win it with Field Of Gold. I was incredibly impressed last time, he's still improving, and I reckon he'll be one of the NAPs for the week. I'd be surprised if he gets beaten." Prince of Wales's Stakes: "There are a few you could consider, but I'm going to stick with the obvious choice, Los Angeles. He has stamina, a big heart, and Ryan Moore will keep him prominent. Any horse that passes him will win, but possibly none will, because he'll put them to the test. He's a fighter too, so I'll back him." Ascot Gold Cup: "Aidan O'Brien's runner, Kyprios, is out, leaving a big gap. They're now relying on Illinois, but I'm going to stick with a horse that loves Ascot. He has stamina, he's not Stradivarius, but Trawlerman is as reliable as they come. John has trained him specifically for this race this year, so I know Trawlerman is a solid bet." Commonwealth Cup: "This is my NAP in the Group 1s of the week - Shadow Of Light. He demonstrated great speed in the Guineas, most of the good horses have gone to the St James's Palace, I reckon this leaves the door open for him to show his stuff. He could be my banker of the week, Field Of Gold would have been a bit too obvious." Dettori is backing hot favourite Field of Gold (Image: PA ) Article continues below Coronation Stakes: "This was my last Royal Ascot winner, it took me years to get it, in this race. Zarigana is my pick. She was a lucky winner of the French Guineas but she is a top class filly. Mikael Barzalona gave her too much to do and got beat but won it in the Stewards Room, but he won't make that mistake again." Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes: "I fancy Inisherin, Kevin Ryan's horse. I have chosen him, it is a wide open race, you also have to consider the Japanese horse they are raving about, you have to." Longshot of the week: "I have selected Billy Loughnane, the up and coming young jockey, he is riding the crest of a wave right now so I am going with the one he rides, Oliver Show in the Royal Hunt Cup." Banker of the week (non-Group 1): "I couldn't leave him out - Willie Mullins. His runner in the Queen Alexandra Stakes - Sober."
Daily Record
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Frankie Dettori drops 10 fearless Royal Ascot predictions and a major admission about himself as he picks out winners
The Italian star won't be riding at the famous meeting this week as he revealed that he turned the chance of mounts at the meeting Flying Frankie Dettori reckons punters will have cash for expensive champagne once Sober does the business at Royal Ascot. The Italian star won't be riding at the famous meeting this week as he revealed that he turned the chance of mounts at the meeting. But Dettori, who once rode a Magnificent Seven at the track at September 1986, still knows the form book inside-out and has marked cards for the five days. He loves it and said: 'I was offered to return to riding in Britain at Royal Ascot this year, but turned it down, though there is a little devil on my shoulder that says to me: One more time. 'It is our Olympics. It is the best that racing provides to the general public, it only comes around once a year, and attracts interest from all over the world, not just in England and Europe. 'There are Australians, Americans and Japanese as well. This is what people get involved in racing for, they want to have a horse that is good enough to go to Royal Ascot. 'The royal family play a big part, the dressing up, the creme de la creme of horse racing to boot as well. It is a range of five days of extraordinary racing for everybody to get their teeth into. 'It comes early in the season, it is in the middle of June, but everybody's target is always Royal Ascot, especially the superpower yards, they have the bigger numbers but their focus is the Classics and Royal Ascot.' Dettori - speaking to Stake – reckons jumping maestro Willie Mullins offers the best chance of a winner for punters this week and handed out a host of racing tips for the meeting. Frankie Dettori's Group 1 Royal Ascot tips Queen Anne Stakes 'It is an amazing race. I really like Rosallion, he ran a super race last time out and I would also put in the American horse, Carl Spackler. I was second to him at Keeneland and he absolutely destroyed me. He is a horse that is improving, not a typical American horse as he is easy to handle, the occasion will not get to him. He could be a bit of a price.' King Charles III Stakes 'You can name ten in here but I have gone quite boring with last year's winner - Asfoora. I think he is head and shoulders above, he has had a prep run and would not be surprised if he hasn't been trained right for this race. It's the hardest race of the week to pick.' St James's Palace Stakes 'This is probably the best race of the week. There are possibly three Guineas winners turning up but I would like to see my old boss win it (John Gosden) with Field Of Gold and I think he will. I was super impressed last time, he is still on the way up, I would say he will be one of NAPs for the week and I'll be surprised he gets turned over.' Prince Of Wales Stakes 'There are a few you can put in but I am going to stick with the obvious one, Los Angeles. He stays well, has a big heart, Ryan Moore will have him prominent and whatever horse passes him will win, but possibly none will, because he will put them to the sword. He battles too so I'll go with him.' Ascot Gold Cup 'Aidan O'Brien's runner, Kyprios, is out and has left a big hold, they are relying on Illinois now but I am going to stick with a horse that loves Ascot, he stays, he's not Stradivarius but Trawlerman is as solid as a rock. John trained him for this race this year, you know Trawlerman is solid so I'll go with him.' Commonwealth Cup 'This is my NAP in the Group 1s of the week - Shadow Of Light. He showed great speed in the Guineas, most of the good horses have gone to the St James's Palace,I think this leaves the door open for him to show his stuff. He could be my banker of the week, Field Of Gold would have been a bit too obvious.' Coronation Cup 'This my last Royal Ascot winner, it took me years to get it, in this race. Zarigana is my pick. She was a lucky winner of the French Guineas but she is a top class filly. Mikael Barzalona gave her too much to do and got beat but won it in the Stewards Room, but he won't make that mistake again.' Jubilee Stakes 'I like Inisherin, Kevin Ryan's horse. I have gone for him, it is a wide open race, you also have to chuck in the Japanese horse they are raving about, you have to.' Longshot of the week 'I have gone with Billy Loughnane, the up and coming young jockey, he is riding the crest of a wave right now so I am going with the one he rides, Oliver Show in the Royal Hunt Cup.' Banker of the week (non-Group 1) 'I couldn't leave him out - Willie Mullins. His runner in the Queen Alexandra Stakes - Sober.'
The Irish Sun
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Frankie Dettori reveals his TWO Royal Ascot bankers including £100,000 Willie Mullins horse with ‘loads of ability'
ROYAL Ascot legend Frankie Dettori has revealed his TWO bankers of the week. And they include a £100,000 potential superstar for Grand National-winning trainer 1 Frankie Dettori knows better than anyone what sort of horse it takes to win at Royal Ascot Credit: PA The world's most famous jockey - Dettori, forever famed for the Magnificent Seven at Ascot, said he turned down the opportunity to race at the Flat's biggest festival. And, though there is a part of him that thinks 'maybe', admits that soon disappears after a couple of glasses of bubbly. If anyone deserves to let their hair down at Ascot, it's Frankie. But punters will want him sobered up to deliver his top tips - and he has an aptly-named banker in that regard. Dettori, who He thinks Sober can get the job done for jump racing's biggest trainer in the Queen Alexandra Stakes over 2m5f on Saturday evening. A two-time Group 2 winner in France, Mullins purchased the former Andre Fabre-trained runner at the Arqana Arc Sale in October last year. Most read in Horse Racing Never one to rush his top talent, Mullins kept Sober, who also finished third in the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak in 2022, to the Closutton gallops through the winter. But the six-year-old son of Camelot was Initially available at 5-6, Sober was backed off the boards to win at 4-11 under Mullins' No1 rider Paul Townend. Although jumping didn't really look his game - he won £275,000 racing on the Flat in France - Sober, who punters labelled an 'exciting' prospect, warmed to his task nicely in the end. He was initially given a Gold Cup entry but is being saved for the handicap. Dettori, when asked about his banker for the week in the handicaps by "His runner in the Queen Alexandra Stakes - Sober." But it's over six furlongs Dettori goes for his second banker. Shadow Of Light was a huge eyecatcher in the 2,000 Guineas and, dropped to the shorter trip, Dettori reckons he can land the £650,000 Wokingham on Friday. The former Godolphin jockey said of their runner for trainer Charlie Appleby: "This is my NAP in the Group 1s of the week - Shadow Of Light. "He showed great speed in the Guineas and, with most of the good horses going to the St James's Palace, I think this leaves the door open for him to show his stuff. "He is my banker of the week in the Group 1s - Field Of Gold (the odds-on favourite in the St James's Palace Stakes) would have been a bit too obvious!" FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
