Frankie Dettori Named After Reported Use of “Tax Avoidance Scheme”

Frankie Dettori has been involved in a legal battle with HMRC over his anonymity, after using a “tax avoidance scheme”, it can now be reported.

After the lifting of his anonymity on Monday, Dettori said in a statement, “A few years ago I employed the services of professional specialist tax advisers to look after mine and my family's financial affairs. A structure was created and I was told that it had been approved by HMRC. Years later HMRC is now challenging that structure. My former advisers have since been dismissed.”

He added, “My new advisers and management team are working hard to unravel the mess that I have been put in. They are also working closely with HMRC to resolve the matter as swiftly as possible.”

The jockey can be named after losing a challenge over his anonymity in proceedings at a specialist tax tribunal, after HMRC and several media organisations argued that he should be identified.

“The fact that the taxpayer may be in the public eye and may prefer the public not to know about his affairs does not justify the principle of open justice being restricted,” Hui Ling McCarthy KC, for HMRC, said in written submissions, describing the structure used as a “tax avoidance scheme”.

In a judgment in November, Mr Justice Miles and Judge Thomas Scott ruled in favour of HMRC and the media, resulting in Dettori being named in Monday's ruling.

A spokesperson for HMRC added, “We welcome this decision, which represents an important win for the principle of open justice. We're committed to ensuring everyone pays the right tax under the law, regardless of wealth or status.”