A specially commissioned statue of Frankie Dettori has been unveiled at Ascot Racecourse by Her Majesty The Queen.
The bronze depicts the world-famous Italian jockey mounted on a horse and is located by the Grandstand Lawn. It was designed by artist and sculptor Tristram Lewis and will act as a permanent reminder of Frankie’s unparalleled contribution to racing at Ascot.
The bronze was cast by Fonderia Artista Art'ù di Gaetano Salmista of Florence and Pemburys Fine Arts Ltd., with the Italian art foundry chosen as a natural partner to create the bronze of one of Italy’s greatest ever sporting heroes.
Dettori’s career has been synonymous with the racecourse, having his first ride at Royal Ascot in 1987. Since then his career has included 81 victories at the Royal Meeting and 229 winners at Ascot overall, including the ‘Magnificent Seven’ in 1996 when he rode all seven winners on the Saturday of the Festival Of British Racing, a precursor to QIPCO British Champions Day.
Frankie Dettori said, “Ascot has been everything to me – my first Group 1 winner when I was 19 – it is where it all started and concludes with nine Gold Cups, seven King Georges, 81 winners at Royal Ascot and hopefully some victories today [QIPCO British Champions Day].
“It’s wonderful to be immortalised at such a great track, and to have your own statue while you are still alive, wow!
“Tristram Lewis has created a humbling tribute, and I would like to thank him, Ascot Racecourse and all those that have supported this impactful artwork.”
Sir Francis Brooke, His Majesty’s Representative and Chairman at Ascot, said: “We are delighted to be able to unveil this permanent celebration of Frankie Dettori’s career at Ascot.
“Frankie has been such a huge part of racing at Ascot over the last 35 years and this unique sculpture will ensure a lasting tribute to his success is permanently in place at the racecourse.