Inside Frankie Dettori’s stunning car collection including iconic Ferrari ‘that frightened him’
FROM racehorses to horsepower, Frankie Dettori’s love for “everything fast” is indisputable – and his fancy car collection reflects it beyond doubt.
The British-based Italian jockey, dubbed the most famous in the world, has a clear choice when it comes to owning four wheels.
Given he is a thoroughbred Italian, it should not come as a surprise that Dettori’s garage is ruled by Ferraris – and the legendary jockey always dreamt about owning the “black prancing horse”.
He told The Telegraph he always wanted to drive a Ferrari and had planned to get his first before turning 30.
“I’m Italian, meaning I’m programmed to love football and Ferrari.
“I told myself then that I’d have a Ferrari by the time I was 30.
“At 29 I was in a deadly plane crash – and I thought to myself I have to get one now.
“As soon as I got out of the hospital I went to the dealership and bought one.”
Dettori’s first Ferrari was the classic 360 Modena – a car that was named after the birthplace of Enzo Ferrari.
It was a two-seater coupe powered by a 3.6-litre V8 mid-engine.
Coupled with a six-speed manual transmission system, Dettori’s 360 Modena could put out a whopping 400 hp and a torque output of 275 lb-ft.
Dettori stepped up his Ferrari game when we bought the famous 360 Spider – the facelift version of his previous Modena – in 2002.
It was the Italian carmaker’s 20th road-going convertible and was driven by a potent 3.6-litre V8 engine.
The car came with an F1-style automated manual gearbox with paddle shifters – and could produce an insane 400 hp power output, reaching a top speed of 180 mph.
Eight years down the line, the legendary jockey sold both his Ferraris to lay hands on the beautiful Ferrari 430 Scuderia.
According to Dettori, this was no normal Ferrari, let alone a normal car, and he was left in terror after realizing its might.
Speaking to The Telegraph, he quipped: ” I didn’t realise when I ordered it that it’s a racing car with a number plate.
“It was a beast of a Ferrari.
“It had carbon-ceramic brakes, unbelievable g-forces when cornering.”
The 430 Scuderia, or the F430, was a road-legal supercar – and was developed jointly by Ferrari and legendary F1 racer Michael Schumacher.
Alongside the striking design language inspired by the brand’s racing division, the concept of the Scuderia was to provide drivers with a track-focused experience and an on-road race-like experience.
Under the hood was a mighty 4.3-litre naturally aspirated V8 that could produce 453 horsepower and a tyre-screeching torque output of 346 lb-ft.
The prancing horse could reach an insane top speed of 198 mph.
Dettori shared how he was afraid of driving the 430 Sceduria – so much so he was forced to sell it shortly.
“Every time I drove it I got bruises!
“It frightened me, so I got rid of it,” told the Italian jockey while speaking about the F430.
But the scary experience did not end Dettori’s love for the Italian carmaker, nor did it stop him from buying his next Ferrari.
In 2017, he sold his previous lot to buy the ultimate Ferrari 488 Spider for £190,000.
“I am very happy to be a Ferrari owner once again.
“But I only take it out when it’s dry and I keep it in a special heated garage,” he shared in an interview.
To everyone’s surprise, Dettori also owns two Mercedes: S-class and Viano.
The lavish saloon boasts an exquisite interior, specially crafted for ultimate luxury and runs on a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine.
It can produce 500 hp and can sprint from 0-62 mph in just 3.3 seconds.
The Viano, which is a multipurpose van, is mainly used to ferry his kids around, according to the jockey.
Apart from the Mercedes, Dettori’s garage was also home to a Bentley Continental GT, but he traded the luxury saloon for the Scuderia.
“I regret selling my Bentley the most.
“Once I got the Scuderia I thought ‘Oh God what have I done!”
While Dettori’s fancy car collection is a treat for a motorhead, it is uncommon knowledge that he started building his garage with a second-hand Mazda 323, which he bought in 1988.
“It was pretty beaten up and the seatbelts didn’t work, but it was only £200.
“I drove it to Manchester to take my test, without a licence, and I failed,” shared Dettori while remembering his first car.
