Michael Francis
Michael Francis
Michael Francis
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Michael Kenneth Francis was born on August 13, 1946 and served his apprenticeship with Lambourn trainer Dave Hanley. He had his sole victory on Tormento for Farnham, Surrey permit holder Guy Bach when landing the October Handicap Hurdle at Devon & Exeter on October 4, 1969, beating Code Of The Road, the mount of Vic Soane, by half a length.
Michael Kenneth Francis was born on August 13, 1946 and served his apprenticeship with Lambourn trainer Dave Hanley. He had his sole victory on Tormento for Farnham, Surrey permit holder Guy Bach when landing the October Handicap Hurdle at Devon & Exeter on October 4, 1969, beating Code Of The Road, the mount of Vic Soane, by half a length.
Micheal had ridden the five-year-old Tormento in all four of his previous starts that season. They had finished third on their two most recent outings, both times at Folkestone in September.
Micheal had ridden the five-year-old Tormento in all four of his previous starts that season. They had finished third on their two most recent outings, both times at Folkestone in September.
Following that Devon & Exeter success, he rode Tormento six more times, including when third at Fakenham and second at Kempton later in October, and third again at Leicester in November.
Following that Devon & Exeter success, he rode Tormento six more times, including when third at Fakenham and second at Kempton later in October, and third again at Leicester in November.
He partnered the horse for the last time when finishing eighth of 15 runners at Fontwell Park on April 14, 1970. Later on that same Fontwell card he had an uncomfortable time on another of Guy Bach’s horses, Cinvultrist, in the Bracklesham Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2). His mount had established a clear lead by the second flight where he tried to run out, then, having lost his position, he was well beaten when falling at the last. Whether that fall was serious enough to end Michael’s career is not known but he did not renew his licence at the end of the season.
He partnered the horse for the last time when finishing eighth of 15 runners at Fontwell Park on April 14, 1970. Later on that same Fontwell card he had an uncomfortable time on another of Guy Bach’s horses, Cinvultrist, in the Bracklesham Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2). His mount had established a clear lead by the second flight where he tried to run out, then, having lost his position, he was well beaten when falling at the last. Whether that fall was serious enough to end Michael’s career is not known but he did not renew his licence at the end of the season.
