This Is Your Life: Frankie Dettori

Frankie DETTORI (1970-)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Frankie Dettori, jockey, was surprised by Michael Aspel during a press launch for a video release of his sporting highlights at the International Sportsman's Club in London.

Frankie, who was born in Milan, Italy, became a stable boy and apprentice jockey in Pisa after leaving school at the age of 13. The following year, he moved to the UK and became a stable jockey with trainer Luca Cumani at Newmarket.

His first win in the UK was at Goodwood in 1987, and by 1990, he had become the first teenager since Lester Piggott to ride 100 winners in a season. He became well known for his trademark leaping dismount, and his most celebrated achievement was riding all seven winners on British Champions' Day at Ascot in 1996.

"I can't believe it! I'm really shocked! What can you say?"

programme details...

Edition No: 1010
Subject No: 985
Broadcast date: Mon 16 Nov 1998
Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
Recorded: Wed 11 Nov 1998
Venue: unknown
Series: 39
Edition: 11
Code name: Seven

on the guest list...

Diana - mother-in-law
Twink - father-in-law
Peter Burrell
Jason Weaver
Michael Hills
Catherine - wife
Sue Barker
Teresa - godmother
Sandra - sister
Omar - nephew
Eric - nephew
Sergio - uncle
Andy Keats
Colin Rate
Mark Dunwoody
Alan Southworth
Lizzie Millichap
Julian Wilson
David Loder
Ian Balding
John Gosden
Michael Morris
Barney Curley
Jennifer Dixon-Clegg
students from the Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy
Vinnie Jones
Michael Stoute
Mara - mother
Ronnie Wood
Luca Burtini
Alduino Botti
Raffaeli Lai
Gianfranco - father
Luca Cumani
Olivier Peslier
Ian Wright
Alex Ferguson
David Platt

production team...

Researcher: Jo Grant
Writer: Ian Brown
Directors: John Gorman, Steve Docherty
Associate Producer: Helen Gordon-Smith
Executive Producer: John Longley
Series Producer: Jack Crawshaw
Producer: Sue Green

names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

related pages...

Equestrian Life

from racing to show jumping

Vinnie Jones

Ian Wright

Screenshots of Frankie Dettori This Is Your Life

Frankie Dettori recalls his experience of This Is Your Life in his autobiography, Frankie...

This Is Your Life was much more fun.

I almost throttled Michael Aspel when he appeared with his red book while I was launching a new video in London.

Several of my family and old friends from Italy were on the show, and the best surprise of all came at the end when my mum walked through the curtains to greet me.

Because she hates flying, she'd travelled by car from Italy over the previous two days just to be there. That was a wonderful surprise.

Series 39 subjects