**Frankie Dettori Poised for Royal Ascot Return – But Only as a Spectator Amid Financial Woes**
Frankie Dettori, one of horse racing’s most celebrated jockeys, is set to make a highly anticipated appearance at this year’s Royal Ascot. However, rather than being at the heart of the action, Dettori will be watching the festivities from the grandstands for the second year running — and this time, it follows the dramatic announcement of his bankruptcy earlier in 2025.
A familiar and charismatic presence at Royal Ascot for decades, Dettori, 54, is synonymous with the glittering pageantry and competitive spirit of the event. His career at Ascot boasts 81 wins and seven occasions atop the jockeys’ leaderboard, achievements which cemented his status as a racing legend. Yet, after closing the curtain on his British riding career at the end of 2023, the Italian-born jockey made headlines by continuing his profession in the United States, defying initial retirement plans.
While settled across the Atlantic, Dettori recently achieved a notable milestone, guiding Raging Torrent to victory in the prestigious Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga—a race with a £1million purse. The win signalled a turnaround after a challenging period; Dettori has claimed 21 victories in the US this year, accruing £2.3 million in prize money despite his admitted financial struggles in the UK.
Earlier this year, Dettori’s personal affairs made news for less triumphant reasons. In March, it emerged that a bankruptcy petition had been filed against him after HMRC challenged his tax arrangements. Addressing the development candidly, he said: “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.”
Despite the lure of saddling up for another Royal Ascot, Dettori insists he will limit himself to spectating this week—though not without considerable temptation to return to the fray. “I won’t lie to you, I do have the little devil on my shoulder that says to me, ‘One more time,’ but I just didn’t think that this year or last year would have been appropriate,” he confessed in a recent blog post. Dettori described a sense of anxiety at attending the event without riding, but also acknowledged the pleasure of revisiting old friends and celebrating his daughter’s birthday before returning to the US circuit.
As ever, Dettori remains an influential voice in the sport. Ahead of this week’s racing, he offered his opinions on the headline Group 1 contests, singling out potential winners and offering insight into the field. He praised Rosallion in the Queen Anne Stakes, picking out American contender Carl Spackler as a threat, and favoured last year’s winner Asfoora in the King Charles III Stakes, which he called the toughest to predict.
Dettori’s tips extend to supporting his former boss John Gosden’s Field Of Gold in the St James’s Palace Stakes; the enduring rivalry and camaraderie among trainers and jockeys form a rich vein in Royal Ascot’s storied history. For the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, he’s backing Los Angeles under Ryan Moore’s stewardship, and in the absence of favourite Kyprios in the Gold Cup, Dettori expects Trawlerman to shine given his proven stamina at Ascot.
The jockey’s picks move further through the card, naming Shadow Of Light as his standout for the Commonwealth Cup and rooting for Zarigana in the Coronation Stakes, describing her as “a top class filly” despite a hard-won French Guineas title.
Royal Ascot, known for its five-day blend of high fashion and thrilling flat racing, will still feel Dettori’s presence—even if he is not taking part in the competition itself. His personal story, blending a rare mix of triumph and adversity, continues to capture the attention of racing fans worldwide.
As the meeting unfolds, all eyes will be on the Queen’s hallowed turf, but Dettori’s ongoing journey—marked by his unrelenting passion for the sport—serves as a reminder that the challenges faced by sporting icons often extend far beyond the racecourse. Whether in the saddle or among the crowd, his legacy at Royal Ascot is undimmed.