Frankie Dettori has been hospitalised after his car flipped over in a collision in Newmarket, Suffolk. The retired jockey, 55, was driving when another vehicle struck the rear passenger side, causing his car to spin and overturn.
Details of the Accident
According to his representatives, H Talent Management, the incident occurred on the evening of Wednesday, 1st July. Emergency services attended the scene, and Dettori was taken to hospital, where he was diagnosed with several broken ribs and a broken thumb. He remains in hospital for further scans and observation.
In a statement, H Talent Management said: “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. 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 after a career spanning nearly 40 years. He is a three-time British flat racing Champion Jockey and won 288 Grade 1 races. His most famous achievement came at Ascot in October 1996, when he rode all seven winners on the card. He last rode in Britain in October 2023, winning the Champion Stakes on King Of Steel at Ascot, and officially stepped away after the Breeders' Cup in the United States in November 2025. Dettori, who was awarded an honorary MBE in 2001, now lives in California with his family.
Previous Incident
This is not the first time Dettori has been involved in a serious accident. In 2000, he survived a plane crash that killed pilot Patrick Mackey. The plane burst into flames after take-off, and Dettori suffered a broken ankle and thumb. He was rescued from the wreckage by friend Ray Cochrane. Police described their survival as a “miracle.” An investigation found that a propeller had hit the ground during take-off, causing the crash.
