Frankie Dettori withdraws from racing comeback to focus on recovery from car accident
FRANKIE DETTORI has pulled out of his return to racing as he continues his recovery following a car accident.
The legendary jockey, who is 55 years old, was set to compete in the upcoming Leger Legends race at Doncaster next Friday, as part of the St Leger festival.
![Frankie Dettori recovers in hospital reading his favourite paper, after he was involved in a car smash on the London Road, [the A1304] at Six Mile Bottom, Newmarket. Frankie is pictured with his wife Catherine.](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/frankie-dettori-recovers-hospital-reading-1092605116.jpg?w=720)
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He was released from Addenbrooke’s Hospital a week later, having suffered from four broken ribs.
After officially retiring at the start of this year following a farewell tour worldwide, Frankie had hoped to regain fitness in time for the charity Legends race but unfortunately ran out of time. He is now aiming for a potential return to racing in 2027.
Reflecting on the traumatic accident, his wife Catherine said, “Someone once said, ‘God laughs at those who make plans’. Just yesterday, Frankie was talking about riding again, and then this occurs. I’ve never seen someone sitting on the roadside after an accident before. It’s horrifying; it really brings home the seriousness of such situations. He managed to get himself to the roadside, and many kind neighbors were quick to help him.”
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