Racing legend Frankie Dettori has been taken to hospital following a terrifying incident in which his car was overturned. The retired Italian jockey was travelling through Newmarket, Suffolk, when another vehicle collided with his car, resulting in a serious crash that left him with multiple injuries.
Details of the Crash
According to his representatives, the vehicle spun across the road and flipped after being struck on the rear passenger side. Emergency services attended the scene promptly, and Dettori was subsequently transported to hospital. The 55-year-old received treatment for a broken thumb and multiple broken ribs and has remained in hospital under close observation.
His management team, H Talent Management, issued a statement confirming the incident: "H Talent Management can confirm that Frankie Dettori was involved in a road traffic accident in Newmarket on the evening of Wednesday, 1st July. Another vehicle struck the rear passenger side of the car Frankie was driving, causing it to spin and flip. Frankie was taken to hospital, where he was found to have sustained several broken ribs and a broken thumb."
Medical Assessment and Recovery
The statement continued: "His injuries are still being assessed, and he remains in hospital for further scans and observation. Frankie would like to thank the emergency services who attended the scene, together with the doctors, nurses and wider medical team caring for him. His focus is now on resting and recovering. H Talent Management respectfully asks that Frankie's privacy is respected at this time. No further comment will be made until there is a meaningful update."
Dettori's Illustrious Career
Dettori retired from racing earlier this year, concluding a distinguished career that lasted nearly 40 years. He is a three-time British flat racing Champion Jockey and secured 288 Grade 1 victories, establishing himself as one of the sport's all-time greats. His most memorable accomplishment came at Ascot in October 1996 when he famously rode all seven winners at the race meeting. Dettori hasn't competed in Britain since October 2023, when he finished in spectacular fashion with a Champion Stakes triumph aboard King Of Steel at Ascot.
Following a lifetime devoted to racing, he chose to retire in November 2025 after the Breeders' Cup in the United States. Dettori, who received an honorary MBE in the 2001 New Year's Honours, now lives in California with his family.
Previous Incident
This isn't the first occasion Dettori has been involved in a vehicle-related incident. In 2000, he spoke publicly about the tragic plane crash that took the life of pilot Patrick Mackey. The aircraft erupted in flames shortly after becoming airborne before plummeting back to earth. Dettori sustained a broken ankle and injured thumb and was pulled free from the wreckage through the plane's luggage compartment by his companion Ray Cochrane, who also made it out alive. Officers at the scene described it as a "miracle" that both men had survived, and a thorough investigation was immediately launched. It subsequently emerged that one of the propellers had struck the ground during take-off acceleration, causing the aircraft to veer sharply to the right and collide with an embankment, before spinning out of control and igniting.
