Frankie Dettori got in huge trouble for his first flying dismount – but it turned him into racing’s greatest showman

ROLL UP, roll up, come along to Ascot and catch a glimpse of the magnificent flying jockey.

Because after his ‘swansong’ at British Champions Day, he will be packing up and taking his legendary act overseas.

ReutersBosses didn’t like Frankie’s first flying dismount – but racing would never have been the same without it[/caption]

Admittedly, it’s hardly a massive stretch to imagine Frankie jetting in for a few rides at Royal Ascot next summer. 

But for now at least, this is your final chance to buy a ticket to the Dettori show in Great Britain, his adopted home of 38 years.

In truth, you’d be here all day trying to recount the numerous good times, but there have also been plenty of lows.

One thing has been constant – it has never been dull.

From the moment he rode his first winner in 1987 as a precocious, and at times gobby, 16-year-old, it was clear this was no ordinary jock.

His first boss, Luca Cumani, did a great job trying to contain him as a youngster and helped channel his energy and enthusiasm into his riding.

And, given his breeding, he was always destined for the top.

His old man, Gianfranco, was a hugely successful rider in Italy, while his mum’s background as a circus performer no doubt gave him an edge from an athletic standpoint.

But the razzmatazz and personality was all him – even if his famous flying dismount was borrowed from American jock Angel Cordero.

When he first performed his now iconic celebration after riding a winner in 1994, Jockey Club chiefs were not amused and had a quiet word.

Punters, however, absolutely loved it, so the old farts running the sport caved in and the flying dismount became a part of British racing folklore.

A day at the races was never complete without seeing the Italian maestro flying through the air to great cheers and applause, which he absolutely loved.

If he failed to give the people what they wanted they’d serenade him with playful boos, and he would cup his ear and grin in response.

Never has a jockey been so comfortable being the centre of attention.

But he is far more than just a showman.

He’s the best Flat jockey to throw his leg over a thoroughbred since Lester hung up his saddle.

The Magnificent Seven at Ascot in 1996 will likely never be beaten and will certainly never be forgotten.

The moment Fujiyama Crest held on to land a 25,051-1 accumulator, bringing the bookies to their knees on that famous Saturday, he instantly became a household name.

Who’d have thought he would still be at the top of his game 27 years later.

Fujiyama Crest completed a 25,091-1 seven-timer for Dettori in 1996Times Newspapers Ltd

Even a brush with death when his light aircraft crashed at Newmarket in 2000 didn’t put the brakes on his career. It was merely a bump in the road.

Tragically the pilot, Patrick Mackey, was killed but Frankie’s friend and agent Ray Cochrane saved his life, pulling him out of the burning plane.

Seven years later, he got the Derby monkey off his back when winning on Authorized at Epsom – his 15th attempt in the big race which had echoes of AP McCoy’s long and painful quest to win the Grand National.

He was untouchable for so long, winning the jockeys’ title three times and winning every big race you can think of during his association with the all-conquering Godolphin team.

But he also liked the party lifestyle and it got him in trouble on a few occasions. He was arrested for possessing cocaine in 1993 and tested positive for the same drug in 2012 when his relationship with Godolphin broke down.

He looked washed up and a shadow of himself when making his comeback the following year, and if it wasn’t for old pal John Gosden one of sport’s most celebrated careers would have ended with a whimper.

Just imagine if Gosden hadn’t picked up the phone – there’d have been no love affair with Enable, no Stradivarius, no Epsom and Arc glory on Golden Horn.

And at the ripe old age of 52, you could argue he is better than ever. 

A Group 1 double at Epsom, victory in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, a masterclass on Mostahdaf in the Juddmonte International and he is still as fit as a butcher’s dog – no wonder he isn’t retiring just yet.

It’s hard to nail down one memorable ride from the thousands he’s had down the years, but a personal favourite is his 2011 Cesarewitch victory on Never Can Tell.

You just don’t win that Newmarket marathon from stall 36 — but Frankie did.

Not only did he manage to get across to the rail from wide outside but he got the lead without burning up too much petrol.

He pulled off another masterstroke by coming well away from the field up the straight by tacking towards the stands side to race alone.

Dettori was at his power packed best to get a massive effort out of the mare as he carried her home to victory up the longest straight in British racing.

All that and he still had enough energy for a crowd-pleasing flying dismount afterwards. 

There will never be another like him.

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