Frankie [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Frankie Dettori (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 20, 2004

Frankie Dettori is a unique character in modern-day Britain: a millionaire champion jockey irresistible to the punters; a charismatic personality with an easy charm and immaculate dress sense that make him an instant favourite on TV chat shows; and a celebrity with a fascinating life story encompassing drama, passion, death and deliverance. In his own words, Frankie Dettori charts his rise from stable lad to champion jockey, revealing the endless hours of hard work, the fun along the way, and his determination to succeed against the odds. His book relives his nine Classic winners in the UK and features his notable victories at the St Leger, The Breeder's Cup Mile, the Arc de Triomphe, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, and, memorably, his seven winners on the same card at Ascot in 1996. We also discover the secrets of his successful partnerships with trainers like Luca Cumani and John Gosden, and owners such as Sheikh Mohammed of the Goldolphin organisation. This is also a human interest story. Frankie talks openly about using drugs to keep his weight down, his celebrity role as team captain on 'A Question of Sport', his rich and varied lifestyle outside of racing, and of the moment when he almost lost his life following a plane crash. Controversial, informative and hugely entertaining, Frankie Dettori's life story will appeal to the millions of people who follow the sport as well as those intrigued to know more about one of the greatest talents that horse-racing has ever seen.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'He's probably the most recognised man on a horse anywhere in the world since Clint Eastwood and John Wayne' International Racing Bureau 'He's that rare thing in horseracing -- a real superstar' BBC

About the Author

Frankie Dettori was born in Milan in December 1970. He was sent to Newmarket at the age of 16 by his father, Lanfranco, a former Italian champion jockey, where he worked as a bookie before being taken up by the trainer Luca Cumani. In 1990 he became the first teenager since Lester Piggott to ride 100 winners in a season. In the next ten years he became one of the most successful jockeys the flat has ever seen, and was awarded an MBE in 2000. He is currently the No 1 stable jockey of Sheikh Mohammed. He has a wife, Catherine, and four children. Jonathan Powell is horse racing correspondent on the Mail on Sunday.

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Harper Collins Audio; Abridged edition (September 20, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007192487
• ISBN-13: 978-0007192489
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Absolute Winner, From Gate-to-Wire, June 7, 2008

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This review is from: Frankie: The Autobiography of Frankie Dettori (Paperback)

This is as honest an autobiography penned by a major sports figure in quite a long time. As a matter of fact, a reader does not have to be well-versed in the nuances of the "Sport of Kings" to appreciate the oftentimes wild ride chronicled by Dettori.

A fascinating aspect is how Dettori approaches his race against a variety of demons - which lurks in the shadows for any athlete - and how he pulled himself from the brink of destroying a promising career. There are no pity parties of finger-pointing and the lessons learned by Dettori are valuable to anyone who faces adversity in any walk of life.

Ultimately, though, it's his triumphs on tracks throughout the world which brings his life into a grand perspective. Dettori writes like he rides, as a special champion, from gate-to-wire.