Former jockey Frankie Dettori will remain bankrupt for an additional year, as a judge has decided not to automatically discharge his bankruptcy. During a specialized hearing, the trustees of Mr. Dettori’s bankruptcy requested an extension of the order for one more year.
Bankruptcy orders typically end after a year in England and Wales, but they can be prolonged by a judge, obliging the bankrupt individual to adhere to its terms under the threat of legal consequences for non-compliance. Despite the proceedings, Dettori did not attend the hearing nor was he represented.
The 55-year-old jockey, who recently retired from racing, filed for bankruptcy in March 2025 while resolving tax matters in the United Kingdom after facing a challenge from HMRC. His financial issues arose following his engagement of specialized tax advisors to manage his and his family’s finances, leading to a legal dispute over his anonymity during tax tribunal proceedings.
In January, liquidators disclosed that Dettori was unlikely to settle his substantial tax debt, which amounted to £765,542 owed to HMRC and £6,391 to a car leasing company, escalating to nearly £900,000 with the inclusion of liquidators’ fees.
During the recent court session in London, Stefan Ramel, representing the trustees, highlighted Dettori’s failure to comply with requests for information regarding his assets, particularly regarding potential properties abroad. Judge Nicholas Briggs ruled that the bankruptcy order could persist until March 16, 2027, citing Dettori’s persistent non-cooperation and the need for further investigation into his financial affairs.
Judge Briggs warned of potential criminal repercussions for continued lack of cooperation, emphasizing the discovery of undisclosed properties in France and Italy, as well as assets like a Piaget watch, a wine collection valued at around £70,000, and investments totaling approximately £365,000. Despite opportunities to present his case, Dettori did not attend court or engage legal representation.
Dettori, who initially retired in 2023 but later resumed his career in the United States and South America before his final race in February, has transitioned into an ambassadorial role for the Amo Racing team. Over the years, he has been involved in legal disputes over his tax affairs, including unsuccessful attempts to maintain anonymity in tax tribunal proceedings.