Frankie Dettori to battle it out with an X Factor legend in epic return to horse racing

EXCLUSIVE: Frankie Dettori is preparing to take on an X Factor legend in an epic showdown.

Despite a recent car crash, the all-time great is targeting a return to action at the Leger Legend’s Race in Doncaster on September 11.

And while the crowd in attendance can’t wait to watch the superstar in action, many will flock to the racecourse to catch a glimpse of the famous artist he’s going toe-to-toe with.

Frankie Dettori set for clash with JJ Hamblett

In 2012, JJ Hamblett formed one quarter of the band Union J. Blessed with talent in abundance, the group dazzled Louis Walsh at Judges’ Houses in Las Vegas to advance to the live shows, where they performed alongside Rod Stewart, en route to finishing in fourth place.

However, while the vocalist adores singing, horse racing also holds a special place in his heart. The talented athlete, who grew up competing in the sport, now has a chance to test his skills against Frankie Dettori, in an opportunity he intends to grasp with both hands.

In an exclusive interview with Sporf, Hamblett exclaimed: “Hopefully he’s going to take part, but he unfortunately had a car accident not too long ago and broke a few ribs, but he’s still hoping to make it back in time. To ride upside Frankie and hopefully beat him would be the pinnacle, but just to be able to ride in the same race as him would be incredible. There’s some fantastic jockeys riding in it this year, and it’s just amazing to take part.”

JJ Hamblett reflects on his journey back to horse racing

It’s fair to say Hamblett has loved every single second of his singing journey. But now, he’s revelling in preparing for his first ride back in 15 years.

Reflecting on the road to his comeback, the jockey explained: “It’s crazy. Before I was in Union J, I was an apprentice jockey in horse racing for an incredible trainer called Sir Michael Stoute. I had over 400 races. I was brought up in Newmarket, which is the centre of racing. My dad and my brother were jockeys, so it was inevitable that I was going to do it. I got my licence at 16 and was riding for Sir Michael Stoute. I got to about 19 or 20, and I’m quite tall for a jockey, and I struggled with my weight, so I decided I wanted to sing.

“Growing up, it’s like wanting to be a footballer; it’s just a dream. To be able to do a passion like horse racing to have had a successful career in singing is just great. Now, I’ve decided to come back basically because I was living in Cornwall for six years, and I moved back in January. My best friend, Hilal Kobeissi, is a trainer, and I was going to his yard, and I hadn’t sat on a horse in 15 years. I was kind of scared of them; they were bigger than I thought. Hilal said to me, ‘Why don’t you ride in the legend’s race’? I wasn’t a legend in horse racing; people like Frankie Dettori are, but they accepted me to ride in it, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

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