Frankie Dettori goes to Hollywood

Published 18th August 2000

Frankie Dettori - who broke his ankle in a plane crash which claimed the life of the pilot two months ago - will be the subject of a new movie, it has been announced. The 29-year-old former champion jockey will act as technical and racing consultant on a film focusing on his sporting achievements. The as-yet-untitled movie is being made by Quirky Film and Television Ltd, the production company co-owned by former Birds of a Feather star Pauline Quirke. No casting has been confirmed, but the screenplay will be written by J Anderson Black, who scripted the recent movie Tarzan and the Lost City. A spokesman for Dettori said: "The film has been in the pipeline for some time, and it was originally going to focus on the day in September 1996 when Frankie rode seven winners at Ascot, and how that affected those who betted, as well as him. "Now they are thinking about bringing it right up to date and including the recent accident, but the focus will still primarily be on Frankie's racing achievements." He added: "The project is taking place entirely with Frankie's backing. He won't be acting in it himself, but he will be working as a technical and racing consultant on it." Dettori, whose father, Gianfranco, was a champion jockey in his native Italy, has earned himself a massive following since he partnered his first winner in Turin in 1986. But after winning a string of accolades, his career was nearly cut prematurely short this year when he and fellow jockey Ray Cochrane were involved in a light aircraft crash at Newmarket. While his injuries were limited to a broken ankle, rib damage and facial cuts and burns, pilot Patrick Mackey was killed in the accident. Last week Dettori made a triumphant return to racing, clinching a double at Newmarket. In recent months, Dettori has become a familiar face at showbusiness events in London, thanks in part to his friendship with stars such as soccer player-turned-actor Vinnie Jones. A spokesman for Quirky, which is based at Pinewood Studios, said the new film was due to go into production next northern spring.