It was always going to take something special for Frankie Dettori to come out of retirement for his first ride in Britain since 2023.

And that unique occasion will come when the legendary Italian rides in the Betfred Leger Legends Race at Doncaster on Friday 11 September..

Dettori, who ended his incredible career in Brazil this year, will be among the retired jockeys raising vital funds for The Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) and the National Horse Racing College.

The likes of Tom Scudamore, Sammy Jo Bell, Adam Kirby, Megan Nicholls and Jimmy Quinn will also be in the saddle for a one-mile charity race that was first run in 2010.

Sir Anthony McCoy and Mick Kinane are among the previous winners of the annual Leger Legends Race, which has been moved to Doncaster Cup Day.

And while the great Dettori, 55, will be eager to chalk up yet another victory in the St Leger meeting at the famous South Yorkshire course, generating precious pounds for such great causes is the main objective.

Founded in 1964 following devastating career-ending accidents suffered by Tim Brookshaw and Paddy Farrell in the Grand National, the IJF has paid out more than £22million to jockeys and families in grants and charitable expenditure.

Support is provided to current and former riders at the IJF’s three rehabilitation and fitness centres; Jack Berry House in Malton, Peter O’Sullevan House in Newmarket and Oaksey House in Lambourn.

Jo Russell, general manager of Jack Berry House, revealed the money raised from the Legends Race makes a huge difference for the IJF.

Russell said: “The race has raised well over £1million and it is so unique, as it is the only race run under BHA (British Horseracing Authority) rules that retired professional jockeys can take part in. 

“It is a huge boost for us. We don’t have a fundraising department, so we rely on people fundraising for us and events.We have people selling socks, jigsaw puzzles, Christmas cards or whatever at tracks such as Wetherby. 

“For Jack Berry House, the Leger Legends is a huge fundraiser. We have been open for 11 years and the race was a major reason why the building was able to open.

“Money raised from the race will go towards running the centres – it costs nearly half a million a year to run them – where we provide key support for jockeys past or present, injured or unable to ride or families in need. 

“Jack Berry House is an amazing place to work and a very rewarding job. I have been there from the beginning. I had a background in the sport, as my father was a racing photographer, and I think ensures I have that important knowledge of what jockeys go through

“I moved south, but my parents lived in Malton. I was working for trainer Clive Cox and saw an advert for the job here. I thought a job like that would be the icing on the cake, I’ve been in racing all my life and was very proud to be offered the job. 

“Jack Berry was one of the founders of charity, which is over 60 years old. He was a former jockey and will be 90 next year. He’s had a phenomenal career.”

It is by no means only recovery from injuries that the IJF have the expertise to provide such important support.

Russell added: “Jack Berry House has taken to the charity another level, the jockeys can now be treated as the elite sports people that they are. 

“This centre is such an amazing facility. There is every piece of equipment needed to help with recovery from injuries, mental health, when jockeys have retired or are preparing to end their racing careers. 

“We have around 12-13 people working here; with admin staff, strength and conditioning coaches, physios, sports rehabilitation staff, along with a sports and exercise consultant. 

“We work with Sporting Chance, as mental health is obviously so very important.

“If a jockey comes in for treatment, we have four bedrooms where they can stay – as some may be travelling from as far afield as Scotland etc. There are around 200 appointments a week here, some of those will be jockeys with more than one appointment. 

“They could be coming in for jockey coaching, or on the other hand on Friday mornings we have classes for retired jockeys, gym sessions and coffee mornings. 

“We also have a cricket match between retired jockeys and former jockeys along with a hog roast after. We support jockeys from day one of their careers through to when they retire and support the families. 

“We have a welfare officer on site full-time; she will deal with anything needed pastorally – such as claiming benefits, paying the rent or amateur jockeys that are not insured.”

One of the many jockeys to have taken full advantage of the massive helping hand the IJF offer is Clifford Lee, who made an astonishing return to racing from a horrific cross-country motorbike accident.

Lee spent two days in a coma with internal bleeding and a broken C1 vertebra following a horrific smash during a holiday while he was serving a ban last October.

The 30-year-old’s surgeon revealed he came “within less than a millimetre of killing himself”, but six months later he was celebrating winning the Virgin Bet Goliath Cup Stakes at Musselburgh in only his second ride following his rehabilitation at Jack Berry House. 

Russell revealed: “Clifford was so focused, there was never a doubt in his mind that he would be back riding. When I was in a meeting listening to the details of his injuries, I thought surely he could not be back as quickly as he was determined to be.

“But he came in and did what he needed to do. It was so hugely rewarding when he was back riding out the first morning after going through his rehab process.

“I was almost in tears and he was like ‘Jo what is wrong with you?’  He worked so hard and just had a steely determination to get back.

“I can remember in my early days, Derek Fox fractured his wrist and collarbone, I think three weeks before the Grand National. 

“A call came it to say we have a jockey who looks like he’s fractured his wrist and collarbone but wants to ride in The National in three weeks. 

“He went through rehab process, had one ride and then won the National (on One For Arthur in 2017). He said it was all thanks to Jack Berry House and I would not be here achieving this without that amazing support. 

“It makes you so proud and it’s very special seeing the jockeys come back, regardless of the success they have when they return and it’s just as rewarding assisting former jockeys.” 

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