FRANKIE DETTORI had a whirlwind of a season with star two-year-old Raffle Prize last year – and is now launching a raffle of his own.
The Frankie Dettori Raffle gives one lucky entrant the chance to own a racehorse for the day ridden by the legendary Italian himself.
The winner will be able to design Frankie’s silks, as well as receive four badges for family and friends for the chosen raceday.
And if that wasn’t enough, the prize also includes a luxury weekend stay in Newmarket with a tour of training grounds, the National Stud, the Palace House Museum & Gallery and a champagne afternoon tea & tour at the luxurious Jockey Club Rooms.
Entries into the Frankie Dettori Raffle cost £2, with all proceeds going to the NHS.
Speaking on talkSPORT2 on Sunday, Dettori said: “My sponsors and I came up with this idea as in these uncertain times it gives somebody something to look forward to.
“It’s a unique initiative and gives someone the chance to own a racehorse for £2 – which to some is the chance of a lifetime.
“All the money will go to the NHS and at the moment we’ve already raised £10,000.
“We’re looking to make as much as we can. I’m looking forward to meeting the winner and to seeing what kind of design they come up with.
“There are so many combinations and the more colourful and fun they are, the better.
“If the silks are bright and flamboyant then you’ll be able to see them from the grandstand, which would be great.”
Being a jockey since the early nineties has seen Dettori sustain plenty of injuries, and he’s well-aware how important the NHS has been to his career.
He continued: “The job we do means we have lots of injuries.
“I can’t really tell you how many times I’ve ended up going to the NHS or to hospital.
“The crisis this year is beyond what we expected and the strain they have to put up with is unprecedented.
“I’ve witnessed it first hand in Italy so I thought this raffle would be a lot of fun and the ideal way to give something back.”
Away from fundraising Dettori is excited for the season ahead, despite its shortened format.
Enable, his heroine of the last few years, will be back once again for a third crack at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – and he’s never seen her better.
He said: “I’ve been to the stable four times a week so I see her regularly.
“She has the competitiveness to beat the best. We’ll use the Arc as the main target to work back from, as we came mighty close to winning last year.
“It’s great Khalid Abdullah decided to keep her in training, to make history by winning that third Arc.
“Nobody is more excited than me. I know we’re not racing at the moment but all her targets at the moment are in the summer and autumn so we haven’t missed much.
“I can’t wait to sit on her and experience the magic she’s been giving me for the last three years.”
For more information or to enter, visit: www.racehorselotto.com/frankie-dettori-nhs-raffle
Frankie Dettori was speaking to talksport2. You can catch live racing, analysis and comment on the station each Wednesday and Sunday.
