‘You go into your own soul’: Frankie Dettori on riding world’s top horses

Thousands of races won across the globe and millions earned in prize money – but champion jockey Frankie Dettori still gets nervous.

It’s a trait the loveable Italian credits for his success. Like every athlete at the top level, Dettori performs best when he’s out of his comfort zone.

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“Being scared is a great thing. I think every athlete at their very best is scared,” he told CNN Sport, at the Longines awards ceremony in London’s Landmark Hotel.

“But they embrace it, they know how to channel it and I guess that’s what I do as well.”

READ: Stunning shots from horse racing’s photographer of the year

Horses know if you're positive or negative, says Frankie Dettori.

‘It’s horrible, but it’s great’

Dettori could be forgiven for getting complacent. The 48-year-old has been Flat racing’s poster boy since jumping onto the scene as a teenager and was named Longines World’s Best Jockey for the second time last year.

But his enthusiasm in front of the camera and determination to ride the very best horses in the world’s biggest races has never diminished – and neither have his pre-race concerns.

“It’s nerve-wracking beforehand. Especially the night before, worrying about the tactics and what you’re going to do,” he said, speaking about his preparations on the eve of a big race.

“I love the dry mouth, the sweaty hands when your heart is pumping. It’s horrible but it’s great.”

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Supermoon —

Multi award-winning snapper Edward Whitaker earned horse racing's photograph of the year award with this stunning image of a rare blue supermoon in Lambourn, Berkshire in January 2018. "I knew a spot where the angle was just right," he says. Here he talks CNN Sport through seven of his favorite images.

French fancy —

Whitaker's image of French horse Arazi pulling off a stunning last-to-first victory in the 1991 Breeder's Cup at Churchill Downs made his name. "He went through the field like it was 'National Velvet' or some ridiculous film like that. I got this image of jockey Pat Valenzuela screaming his head off against the spires of Churchill Downs. My lot were blown away, it was a big breakthrough."

Shower time —

Another picture that has defined his career is this shot of the great stallion Danehill being hosed down at Coolmore Stud in Ireland in 2003. "I just love the whole effect, how the water is reacting over the horse. He turns his neck so it was almost like a massage to him, and you can see how much he's enjoying it. I had to shoot it on a slow shutter speed and there's a real sense of movement in the water, and the light is just lovely."

Kaleidoscopic —

This color-filled image of Churchill Downs is another Whitaker favorite. "I knew there was this fire exit up to a door that opened onto the roof so I went up there and caught this great dawn. There was a cold front coming in, so I knew there would be some very dramatic reds and yellows in the sky. And now they light up the iconic spires with purple light, so the colors are unbelievable. It's so American and over the top."

Chantilly face —

Horses break from the stalls in front of the Great Stables at Chantilly, France in 2016. "I love this shot because of the light and the horse rearing at the start. It's just a dramatic picture. That one horse going up gives it great strength."

Lucky horseshoe —

Whitaker's luck was in with this picture from Cheltenham last January when he discovered the flying horseshoe. It was part of his portfolio that won an eighth photographer of the year award. "It was a remote picture from under the fence shooting into a clear blue sky. It was a nice picture anyway but the fact the shoe fell off and pointed upright was just unique. I'd never seen anything like it. That's why photography is so exciting."

Scared stiff —

Whitaker conquered his fears and rode up in the TV crane to capture this image of the city of Chester and the racecourse. "This is the scariest picture I've ever taken. You go up on this wobbly plank with a safety harness clipped to a metal frame. I was absolutely terrified but the view was amazing, the light was just right and I got this great scene of Chester with the action on the racecourse."

Stunning shots from horse racing's photographer of the year

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‘Into your own soul’

Like any great performer, Dettori’s worries disappear when he enters his stage. Keeping calm and staying positive is particularly important when you’re a jockey, in order to “become one” with the horse.

YORK, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Frankie Dettori leaps from Expert Eye after winning The Sky Bet City Of York Stakes at York Racecourse on August 25, 2018 in York, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

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“You just go into your own soul, you try to black out everything around you and try to concentrate and stay alert,” he said.

“The horse knows if you’re aggressive, they know if you’re gentle. They know if you’re positive or if you’re negative. It is a big thing.”

Over the course of his glittering career, Dettori has ridden some of the best horses on the planet. He was Godolphin’s retained jockey for 18 years – riding 110 Group 1 winners for stables of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed.

He went freelance in 2013, and recently has combined with British trainer John Gosden with spectacular success. Among the highlights in 2018 were a second straight victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and a Breeders’ Cup Turf title, both on board wonder horse Enable.

READ: Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe returns to spiritual Longchamp venue

‘Like a Rolls Royce’

Dettori has also gained plaudits for his work riding yet another special horse.

Sired by superstar Frankel and also trained by Gosden, Cracksman was named the joint winner of Longines Horse of the Year 2018.

Winning on such a horse is not enough for Dettori, though – he feels added pressure to put on a show.

“I think the day that I don’t want to perform is the day I have to stop,” he said.

“He’s [Cracksman] lovely, a gentle giant, kind and powerful. It was like sitting on a Rolls Royce. Comfortable and long-striding, it was fantastic.”