Frankie Dettori health update emerges after 'spin and flip' car crash

Iconic jockey Frankie Dettori has given a health update after being involved in a 'spin and flip' car crash near Newmarket on July 1.

The horse racing icon was taken to hospital yesterday as his car was hit in the rear passenger side near Newmarket.

According to his management at H Talent, Dettori was in the driver's seat when another vehicle struck his car, causing it to 'spin and flip'.

Dettori's injuries are still being assessed as he remains in hospital for more scans, but it has been confirmed that he sustained broken ribs and a broken thumb.

Frankie Dettori 'resting' after suffering broken ribs

In a statement released by his management team, Dettori is now resting and recovering from his injuries.

"H Talent Management can confirm that Frankie Dettori was involved in a road traffic accident in Newmarket on the evening of Wednesday, 1st July.

"Another vehicle struck the rear passenger side of the car Frankie was driving, causing it to spin and flip.

"Frankie was taken to hospital, where he was found to have sustained several broken ribs and a broken thumb. His injuries are still being assessed, and he remains in hospital for further scans and observation

"Frankie would like to thank the emergency services who attended the scene, together with the doctors, nurses and wider medical team caring for him.

"His focus is now on resting and recovering. H Talent Management respectfully asks that Frankie's privacy is respected at this time.

"No further comment will be made until there is a meaningful update."

Dettori, who is a three-time British flat racing jockey champion, winning 23 races in the UK, is set to make a comeback for the Legends race at Doncaster during the St Leger Festival in September.

It would mark the first time in three years that he would race on British soil, having last jumped in the saddle in October 2023 as he won the Champion Stakes at Ascot, riding King of Steel. His last race in the UK also saw Queen Camilla unveil his statue at the famed circuit.

Dettori called time on his professional jockeying career shortly after his win at Ascot, claiming that he didn't want to be like Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Look at Ronaldo, one day he was playing, and he’s on the bench the next. I don’t want to end up like that and end up where I’m struggling to get rides in the big races. At the moment, I still have good horses to ride, and I want to finish like that," he said.

It's now unlikely that he will participate at Doncaster, although the health update didn't elaborate on his future races.

It isn't the first time that Dettori has overcome injuries sustained in crashes, having previously opened up to Piers Morgan about his experiences 25 years ago when he was involved in a plane incident.