Former jockey Frankie Dettori’s bankruptcy will be extended for another year as a judge ruled against its automatic discharge. During a specialized hearing, trustees of Dettori’s bankruptcy requested the continuation of the order for an additional year.
Bankruptcy orders usually conclude after a year in England and Wales but can be prolonged by a judge, enforcing the obligations on the bankrupt individual. Failure to comply can lead to potential criminal prosecution. Notably, Dettori was absent at the hearing and had no legal representation.
Dettori, who retired from racing recently, declared bankruptcy in March 2025 while resolving tax matters in the United Kingdom following a dispute with HMRC. The 55-year-old faced financial challenges after seeking tax advice for his and his family’s financial affairs.
In a recent development, liquidators stated that Dettori was unlikely to settle his substantial tax debt, amounting to £765,542 owed to HMRC and £6,391 owed to a car leasing company. Additional fees raised the total debt to nearly £900,000.
During the court session in London, Stefan Ramel, representing the trustees, highlighted Dettori’s non-compliance with asset disclosure requests, including ownership of overseas properties. Chief Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Nicholas Briggs extended the bankruptcy order until March 16, 2027, citing Dettori’s persistent failure to provide essential information.
Judge Briggs emphasized the possibility of criminal repercussions for continued non-cooperation by stating that criminal sanctions might be necessary for the trustees. He revealed that Dettori had undisclosed assets, including properties in France and Italy, a valuable watch, a wine collection worth £70,000, and investments totaling around £365,000.
Despite opportunities to present his case in court or through legal representation, Dettori did not take any action. The renowned jockey, known for his multiple British Classic wins and British champion titles, recently transitioned to an ambassadorial role with the Amo Racing team after briefly retiring and resuming his racing career in the United States and South America.
Dettori has a history of legal disputes regarding his tax affairs, notably battling to maintain anonymity in tax tribunal proceedings. After various legal maneuvers, the Upper Tribunal overturned decisions to keep parts of his case private, with ongoing challenges from HMRC and media organizations.
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