Frankie Dettori issued major update after plunging into bankruptcy | Racing | Sport

Fankie Dettori will remain legally bankrupt for a further year after a judge at a specialist insolvency court ruled his bankruptcy should not be automatically discharged. Dettori filed for bankruptcy in March last year, having been unable to reach agreement with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs over a long-running case of tax avoidance.

The case was brought against him after he had employed professional specialist tax advisers to oversee his and his family’s financial affairs. Dettori terminated relations with those advisers in 2024, subsequently going to employ the services of a different set of financial experts in an attempt to resolve the case.

The 55-year-old lost a challenge over his anonymity in proceedings at a specialist tax tribunal in December 2024, allowing him to be named. Bankruptcy orders end automatically after a year in England and Wales but can be extended by a judge, meaning the bankrupt is still bound by its terms and can face criminal prosecution if they do not co-operate.

And at a hearing that took place on Thursday, lawyers for the two trustees of Dettori’s bankruptcy asked for the order to remain in place for a further year. Stefan Ramel, for the trustees, told the court in London that the former jockey “has not complied and is still not complying” with requests for information about his assets, including whether he owns properties abroad.

Mr Dettori did not appear at the hearing and was not represented, and chief Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Nicholas Briggs ruled that the bankruptcy order could continue until March 16, 2027, which he said was “not an unrealistic period” given the “blatant failure” by Dettori to provide information when asked.

He said: “There is much to uncover in this bankruptcy, and it may well be that criminal sanctions will be a useful tool for the trustees.”

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According to PA, the judge also said that the trustees interviewed Dettori in December last year about his assets, and when asked if he had ever owned properties abroad, he “said he did not”. But he said it was later discovered that there were “a number of properties that had not been disclosed to the trustees, in particular in France and Italy”.

Judge Briggs continued that there were “other concerns”, including a Piaget watch, a wine collection worth around £70,000 and investments worth around £365,000. He also said that the racing great could have attended court to make representations as to why an order should have been made or instructed lawyers but has “failed to do so”.

In a statement confirming he was filing for bankruptcy in March last year, Dettori said: “For the last six months, my advisors have been working with HMRC in an attempt to find a solution to my financial situation.

“Regretfully, I will be filing for bankruptcy. 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.”

Dettori brought the curtain down his glittering career in the saddle by riding a double in Brazil last month. The decorated Italian initially retired on Champions Day at Ascot in 2023, but while Champion Stakes success aboard King Of Steel was his last ride in Britain, he later reversed his decision to call it a day when announcing he would continue his career in America.

Dettori rode his first winner in Italy back in 1986, registering his initial British success the following year before enjoying a swift ascent through the ranks that saw him crowned champion apprentice in 1989. He went on to be British champion on three occasions and won every British Classic at least twice, famously having 14 unsuccessful attempts in the Derby before he finally broke his duck on Authorized in 2007. He was also awarded an MBE in 2001.