The Career Of Jockey Frankie Detorri
Frankie Detorri is easily recognised as the world’s most famous jockey – even people with no interest in horseracing know who he is – ask a random member of the public the name of a jockey and it is more than likely guaranteed that they will name Detorri, as his is the only jockey name they will know! He is so successful that even though he currently sits 43rd in the championship table, he has the power to generate frenzy whenever he walks into a horseracing arena – not for many other jockeys, trainers or owners would there be such a cry for autographs. The only other jockeys to have received in any way the same amount of attention and status are Lester Piggott and Kieron Fallon.
Frankie has an unbelievable career history. He has won the 1,000 Guineas twice with Cape Verdi and Kazzia in 1998 and 2002 respectively, the 2,000 Guineas twice with Mark of Esteem in 1996 and Island Sands in 1999. He won The Derby in 2007 on Authorized and The Oaks three times on Balanchine, Moonshell and Kazzia (1994, 1995 and 2002). The St Leger Detorri won five times with Classic Cliche, Shantou, Scorpion, Sixties Icon and Conduit in 1995, 1996, 2005, 2006 and 2008 respectively. He has been the champion jockey three times within the space of twenty years and once more in the past 14 years, but 42 jockeys have ridden more winners than Detorri and he says that he is no longer interested in the championship. This however does not seem to bother him and he is more relaxed about horseracing now than he has ever been, saying that he doesn’t chase anything anymore – he only chases what he enjoys. He is known to like riding in the big meetings and the big weekends but has no time anymore for the ‘nonsense’ races. This might sound to some like someone who has gotten too big for his boots, but that would be very far from the truth. Dettori says he is, because of this new more relaxed attitude, more focused, and has real drive – when he goes racing it’s because he wants to and he wants to win.
Godolphin has been his main employer for the past decade and he hopes that he will be successful at the Glorious Goodwood meeting riding Forgotten Voice, the Hunt Cup winner for them. It will be a welcome return for his fans as he hasn’t been seen racing in this country much recently. This is because he has been abroad racing in big races – Detorri has raced in Dubai, France, Germany, Ireland, Turkey, Italy and will be finishing his year in Hong Kong. The greatest enjoyment for Detorri is racing a winner without expecting it as happened with Conduit in the Leger last year. Detorri only got to ride Conduit because Ryan Moore had the initial choice but went for Doctor Fremantle instead.
