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.
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