Frankie Dettori's heart is still racing at 40

JUMPS jockey Tony McCoy is favourite for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year but Flat racing's biggest star Frankie Dettori has something to celebrate today - turning 40. "It's a milestone for me the same as everyone else. The strange thing is that am riding better than ever before," said the Italian.

Racing For Change have issued 40 Frankie Facts:

1) Frankie was born in Milan

2) His father was a jockey and his mother a circus performer.

3) He left school at the age of 14 to become a stable hand, arriving in England at 15 years old to work for Luca Cumani as an apprentice jockey.

4) Married Catherine in 1998.

5) He has five children: Leo, Ella, Mia, Tallulah and Rocco.

6) He lives in Newmarket.

7) He owns a Ferrari but rarely drives except on the school run.

8) Frankie has five dogs, three cats, two ponies and Fujiyama Crest, the horse that won the final race of his seven wins at Ascot on 28 September 1996.

9) Frankie considers his Latin cross as his lucky charm.

10) Frankie loves to cook.

11) He has his own food range known as Dettori's Italian Foods.

12) He wrote 'Frankie Dettori's Italian Family Cookbook'.

13) He owns the restaurant chain 'Frankie's Italian bar and grill' with Marco Pierre White.

14) Frankie's favourite drink is a good Italian red or white wine.

15) Frankie doesn't have any allergies except dieting!

16) Frankie's friends include Marco Pierre White, Ronan Keating and Mick Hucknall.

17) Frankie's favourite childhood memory is of his first pony, a palomino, which was bought for him by his dad when he was 12.

18) Frankie's favourite holiday destination is Dubai.

19) He supports Arsenal.

20) Frankie enjoys playing golf with Lee Westwood.

21) Frankie has been known to head out to Ibiza for clubbing but likes DJing in his own home.

22) Frankie's favourite film is 'Get him to the Greek'.

23) His favourite book is his autobiography.24) Frankie is a fan of house music and Ronan Keating.

25) His proudest moments are having his five children, marrying his wife and winning the seven races at Ascot in 1996.

26) The biggest celebrity name Frankie has in his mobile phone book is Sheik Mohammed, the UAE Prime Minister.

27) He survived a plane crash in 2000 when flying from Newmarket to Goodwood.

28) Frankie got an MBE in 2001.

29) He was third in the 1996 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

30) He was once a model for Yves St Laurent.

31) Frankie's first British winner came in 1986 on Lizzie Hare.

32) Frankie's best winner so far has been on Dubai Millenium in The Dubai World Cup 2000.

33) Frankie became Champion Flat Jockey in Britain 2004.

34) He has ridden over a 100 Group 1 winners.

35) Frankie's flying dismounts are a tribute to the jockey, Angel Cordero.

36) Frankie's favourite TV programme is 'A Question of Sport'

37) He would like Al Pacino to play him in a film.

38) Frankie's family love X Factor.

39) The last music concert Frankie attended was Simply Red's.

40) Whilst riding, he's broken his collar bones, arms, elbows and ankles.