FRANKIE Dettori is one of the most beloved jockeys to ever grace the sport of horse racing — as well as one of the most successful.
Having made a massive retirement U-turn in October and getting ready to take on I'm A Celebrity, his wife Catherine will be there to support him in all of his endeavours.
Who is Frankie Dettori’s wife Catherine?
Catherine Dettori is married to professional horse rider Frankie and is a stay-at-home mum.
Catherine’s father, Professor William “Twink” Allen, was a candidate in UKIP elections in 2015 and like her husband is no stranger to the world of horse racing.
He is originally from New Zealand and is well known within the Newmarket horse community for being involved with breeding.
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When did Frankie Dettori and Catherine get married?
Frankie and Catherine got married in July, 1997 in New Market, England and the family currently resides in Stetchworth near Newmarket, Suffolk.
They met when Catherine was at university and it was love at first sight when Frankie spotted her leading up a horse he was riding at Haydock.
The devoted husband has been vocal about his appreciation of the support he receives from his wife, despite saying he doesn’t know how she puts up with him day in and day out.
Frankie has called Catherine one of the two angels in his life — the other being his father Gianfranco.
He previously said: “I’d really like to dedicate this championship to my wife, who gave me the push to go out and do it.”
Catherine’s dedication to her husband was proven yet again after he was involved in a freak plane crash that nearly took his life in 2000.
After take-off the aircraft burst into flames and crashed back to the ground, killing the pilot.
Frankie explained in his book, Leap of Faith, how his wife’s bluntness helped to drag him out of a dark place following the tragedy.
How many children do Frankie Dettori and Catherine have?
Dettori is the proud father of five children: Leo, Ella, Mia, Tallula and Rocco.
Of all of his children, Frankie thought his youngest, Rocco, would be most likely to take up horse racing professionally.
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In 2015 Frankie said: “If I had to tip one, it’s him. He has the physique and likes to go flat out."
But during the Covid-19 pandemic, Rocco's gym routine led to him bulking up, with Dettori saying: “...in Covid, he went into the gym and he turned out to be a pretty robust guy, strong and muscly, so unfortunately his career is gone somewhere else.
“He still loves his riding but he is way too big and too strong.”
Frankie's second eldest Ella competed in her first race as a jockey in July 2021 at the age of 19.
Making her debut in the charity Magnolia Cup race at Glorious Goodwood, the contest ended in a dramatic dead-heat, with the judges unable to split the leading two runners.
After the race, Ella said: "Dad gave me a few tips before the race.
"I hope I made him proud, that was my aim."
