Frankie Dettori Frankie Dettori Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori, MBE (born 15 December 1970) is an Italian horse racing jockey in the United Kingdom. Dettori has been Champion Jockey on three occasions and has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races. His most celebrated achievement was riding all seven winners on British Champions' Day at Ascot in 1996. He is the son of the Sardinian jockey Gianfranco Dettori, who was a prolific winner in Italy. He has been described by Lester Piggott as the best jockey currently riding. Since the end of 2012, Dettori has been operating as a freelance, having split
Ascot Racecourse throughout the winter months. The Royal Meeting held each June, remains a major draw, its highlight being The Gold Cup. The most prestigious race is the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes run over the course in July. Ascot Racecourse was founded in 1711 by Queen Anne. The first race, "Her Majesty's Plate", with a purse of 100 guineas, was held on 11 August 1711. Seven horses competed. This first race comprised three separate four-mile (6437 m) . Handicap races started at Ascot, the first one being the Oatlands Handicap in 1791. In 1813 Parliament passed an Act to