Former jockey Frankie Dettori will remain bankrupt for an additional year as a judge has ruled against automatically discharging his bankruptcy. During a specialized hearing, the request made by the two trustees of Dettori’s bankruptcy to extend the order for another year was granted.
Bankruptcy orders typically expire after a year in England and Wales but can be prolonged by a judge, thereby requiring the bankrupt individual to adhere to its terms or risk facing legal consequences. Despite not making an appearance or being represented at the hearing, Dettori, who retired from racing recently, filed for bankruptcy in March 2025 while addressing tax issues in the United Kingdom after a challenge from HMRC.
In January, liquidators indicated that Dettori was unlikely to settle his substantial tax debt, amounting to £765,542 owed to HMRC and £6,391 to a car leasing company, with additional fees totaling nearly £900,000. Stefan Ramel, representing the trustees, informed the London court that Dettori had failed to provide necessary information about his assets, including undisclosed properties abroad.
Chief Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Nicholas Briggs decided to extend the bankruptcy order until March 16, 2027, citing Dettori’s persistent non-compliance and lack of cooperation with asset disclosures. Judge Briggs warned that continued non-cooperation could result in criminal penalties, emphasizing the need to thoroughly investigate the bankruptcy case.
The judge revealed that during an interview with the trustees, Dettori initially denied owning properties abroad but later it was discovered that he had undisclosed properties in France and Italy, along with valuable assets like a Piaget watch, a wine collection worth approximately £70,000, and investments totaling around £365,000. Despite the opportunity to provide input or seek legal representation, Dettori failed to engage with the court proceedings.
Dettori, who retired in 2023 but later returned to racing in the United States and South America before his final race in February, has shifted focus to an ambassadorial role for the Amo Racing team. Over the years, Dettori has faced legal challenges regarding his tax affairs, including a failed attempt in 2024 to maintain anonymity in tax tribunal proceedings. Previous legal battles involved appeals against HMRC’s income tax deductions and requests for confidential hearings.
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