Revealed
Show #21
Frankie Dettori
He’s that rare thing in horse racing - a real superstar.
The Italian-born jockey's ability in the saddle, cheeky good humour, immaculate dress sense and spectacular flying dismounts, have made him a household name.
But he really captured the attention of people all over the world by riding every winner on a seven-race card at Ascot on 28 September, 1996. His ‘magnificent seven’ cleaned out the bookies.
“It took 300 years for someone to do it, so I don’t think it’ll be done again in a hurry. It’s nice to be the first man to do it… it’s one of those days I will never forget” Dettori tells CNN of that famous achievement.
In April’s edition of Revealed, Dettori gives the viewer an intimate insight into life at home in Newmarket, from spending time with the family and tending to his horses, to practicing his DJ skills on the decks! Despite the wealth and fame that comes with jockeying success, Dettori’s Italian family values are clear. He prioritises “hands-on” fatherhood.
“It's nice to see [my kids] ride, and hopefully one of them will follow in my footsteps and carry on the family tradition. I'd like one of the boys to do it, but the decision is theirs, like my father, he didn't quite push me until I was ready to be pushed, and I'll do the same with them. If they want to do it I'll do the best I can.”
The champion jockey reveals the struggle and dedication it takes in maintaining his weight. We witness Dettori determined to shed every last pound on race day. An intensive workout and sauna session combine to achieve maximum weight loss through sweating, a common practice known to jockeys as ‘wasting’. Dettori must stick to a strict diet for 11 months of the year – no easy feat considering his passion for food and all things culinary.
Business partner, friend and world renown chef Marco Pierre White talks to CNN about Dettori’s passion for food at the launch of Frankie Dettori’s cook book at the two friends’ restaurant Frankie’s. While Dettori then takes us on an exclusive tour of the kitchen, Pierre-White tells us about how the restaurant was Frankie’s idea: as an Italian in London, he noticed a lack of quality cuisine in a child-friendly environment. More proof that the jockey is a Mediterranean family-man at heart.
CNN follows Dettori to the Dubai World Cup, the world's richest horse race, with a purse of USD 6 million, the largest prize of any race in the world. The pressure is on as the creator of the event also happens to be Dettori’s boss, the owner of Godolfin stables, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Can Dettori continue to wow the sport with his prowess? Find out on this month’s Revealed.
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