Legendary Jockey Frankie Dettori Files For Bankruptcy

Thursday, March 13, 2025 | 11:57 am

Updated: March 13, 2025 at 1:59 pm

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 5: Frankie Dettori attends a day at the Treehouse with Keith Prowse Official Hospitality Partner of The Championships, Wimbledon hosted by Carlo Carello and Sadie Chase-Gardener, on July 5, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Carlo Carello & Sadie Mantovani)

Frankie Dettori has been forced to file for bankruptcy after failing to reach an agreement with His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) over a long-running tax avoidance case. The Italian released a statement to confirm this latest development on Thursday.

“For the last six-months, my advisors have been working with HMRC in an attempt to find a solution to my financial situation,” the statement read. “Regretfully, I will be filing for bankruptcy.

“I am saddened and embarrassed by this outcome and would advise others to take a stronger rein over their financial matters. 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's name first came up in a legal battle with HMRC over his anonymity after using a “tax avoidance scheme” in December of 2024. His career voluntarily ended in Britain in October of 2023 and, instead of retiring, he moved to California to continue riding.

A three-time champion jockey in Britain, he was ranked 13th by earnings in the U.S. in 2024, with 18 graded stakes wins highlighted by the victories of Beaute Cachee (Fr) (Literato {Fr}) in the GI Jenny Wiley Stakes, Newgate (Into Mischief) in the GI Santa Anita Handicap, and Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief) in the GI Malibu Stakes. This term, he's already won a brace of Grade IIIs.