Frankie Dettori MBE: What’s on your mantelpiece?

The Steeple Times asks Frankie Dettori MBE: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” What’s your guiding force?

My faith, my family and my self-belief.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

I’ve never held a grudge in my life.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2012?

Child abuse, animal abuse and bad wine.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

Food.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

Most of my wealth is invested in my five children and the school fees! I was never rich and don’t expect to be.

Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank.” What’s your view on the banking crisis?

I think in both Italy and England, the bankers need to come back to a point where ordinary people like you and I can gain our faith in a system that should be fundamental for all of us. If you can’t keep your money in a bank, where can you?

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“Frankie: We think you are a good thing on this one.”

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home.” What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

The Fortune Centre for Riding Therapy and DAFA (Direct Aid for Africa).

The judge in “Law Abiding Citizen” states: “I can pretty do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

My mobile is fundamentally important to me in this modern world but interestingly I have never turned on a computer. My life changes within one phone call and the next evening I may be on a plane to Hong Kong to ride a horse there.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

My family just to ensure they do some real work, my fellow jockeys and John Gosden to ensure there is some decent conversation.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

Because I’ve never been able to really eat for the whole of my adult life, it would probably be tagliolini verde and gratinati followed by ossobucco and then chocolate ice cream. It would be served with a bottle of Château Latour (not Italian, I know, but the best in the world).

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

Depending on where you are, I think 10am is perfectly acceptable.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A Negroni, of course.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

Ronnie Wood’s as he is one of the greatest guys in the world.

Who is the most positive person you know?

Franny Norton: one of the funniest men in the weighing room.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

A burger at McDonald’s.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

My lucky number: VII.

What was the first bone that you broke?

I’ve broken every bone in my body.

Cilla Black presented “Surprise, Surprise.” Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I nearly died in a plane crash in 2000, I’ve got five children, I’ve presented Top of the Pops, I’ve ridden seven winners from seven horses and I am lucky enough to have spent some time with Her Majesty The Queen.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

A photograph of Dubai where I spend three months every year, a photograph of our family home in Sardinia and a photograph of my mother.

Frankie Dettori MBE is a champion jockey and father of five.

Follow Frankie Dettori MBE on Twitter at @FrankieDettori

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