Dettori still going strong in saddle as he celebrates his 50th birthday
Reaching milestones has been a common theme throughout the distinguished career o f Fr a n k i e De t t o r i , a n d t h e world's most famous jockey celebrates another today by turning 50.
Since arriving in Newmarket in 1985 as a 14-year- old unable to speak the language, the popular Italian has carved out a career few in the sport can come close to matching - and even he could not have imagined. But though Dettori can now look back fondly on many magical moments, had it not b een for his first employer, and fellow countryman, Luca C u ma n i , t h e c a r e e r h e h a s gone on to enjoy may never have come to fruition.
He said: "To b e honest the first three months in Newmarket I hated it. The weather was rubbish and the food was disgusting. My father persuaded me to stay and Luca saw something in me and the rest is histor y really. It was all wor thwhile in the end. It's unreal what I've achieved since."
I t w a s w i t h C u m a n i t h a t
Dettori would celebrate his f i r s t B r i t i s h v i c t o r y a b o a r d L i z z y H a r e a t G o o d w o o d o n Ju n e 9, 19 8 7, a l o n g wi t h b e i n g c r o w n e d c h a m p i o n apprentice in 1989 and landing a first Group One through Markofdistinction in the 1990 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
T h e p a i r a l s o wo n a t t h e Breed ers' Cup with Barath - ea, and Dettori added: "Luca was one of my first teachers. He was very thorough and he taught me a lot. He was ver y strict, but in a good way.
"He was a big influence, he mo u l d e d me we l l f r o m t h e beginning.
"Eight of my tender years, which are probably the most important part of your career, were spent with him and they were great times."
Momentous success has followed all around the world - but for all that Dettori has achieved, he acknowl edges his exploits over the past four years ab oard the John Gosden-trained 11-time Group One winner Enable will take some beating.
He said: "Just like Tom Queally is remembered as Frankel's jockey, I will almost certainly be more remembered for her and what she did in winning the amount of Group Ones she did more than any thing I've done on any other horse.
"It was a shame she couldn't wi n a r e c o r d t h i r d Ar c t h i s year, but that should not take anything away from the fantastic career she had. She was the ultimate queen of the Turf."
Lavish celebrations might normally be the order of the day to commemorate such an occasion - but with the current restrictions Dettori, who has again proved this year that he can still mix it with the best will mark his bir thday spending time with those closest to him. "I've got to pretend I'm going to be 49 again,” he said. “I can't have a party. I will be 49 again this year then I will have a party next year for my 50th!
"I'm going to take my family down to London and have a nice family dinner, cut the cake there and celebrate it that way instead."