Vincent Francis
1889 -1969
1889 -1969
National Hunt jockey George Vincent Francis was born on May 12, 1889 and was the father of champion jockey and best-selling author Dick Francis.
National Hunt jockey George Vincent Francis was born on May 12, 1889 and was the father of champion jockey and best-selling author Dick Francis.
In 1908 - when still a teenager - he decided to make horses his living in preference to farming like the rest of his family.
In 1908 - when still a teenager - he decided to make horses his living in preference to farming like the rest of his family.
He went to Lawrenny Castle, near Tenby, to ride for Colonel Lort-Phillips, who had for some time run one of the best National Hunt stables in Britain. The then-champion jockey, 'Titch' Frank Mason was retained by the yard and rode all the best horses: Vincent still managed to ride a number of winners in the years leading up to the outbreak of the First World War.
He went to Lawrenny Castle, near Tenby, to ride for Colonel Lort-Phillips, who had for some time run one of the best National Hunt stables in Britain. The then-champion jockey, 'Titch' Frank Mason was retained by the yard and rode all the best horses: Vincent still managed to ride a number of winners in the years leading up to the outbreak of the First World War.
His career was compromised by the Great War: in 1914, he joined up for its duration.
His career was compromised by the Great War: in 1914, he joined up for its duration.
After the war he worked for Bishop’s, a fashionable hunting stable, until the yard burnt down a few years later. After that he worked for Horace Smith’s Riding School in Cadogan Place, London, where members of the Royal family were among his pupils and patrons.
After the war he worked for Bishop’s, a fashionable hunting stable, until the yard burnt down a few years later. After that he worked for Horace Smith’s Riding School in Cadogan Place, London, where members of the Royal family were among his pupils and patrons.
Smith and Francis eventually set up a stable for hunters, with Smith giving Francis a free hand on the purchasing side. Francis bought young horses, trained and resold them, and the stable soon built up a reputation for having some of the best hunters in England. The business proved so successful that within two years they had outgrown their small yard and moved to bigger premises at Holyport, near Maidenhead.
Smith and Francis eventually set up a stable for hunters, with Smith giving Francis a free hand on the purchasing side. Francis bought young horses, trained and resold them, and the stable soon built up a reputation for having some of the best hunters in England. The business proved so successful that within two years they had outgrown their small yard and moved to bigger premises at Holyport, near Maidenhead.
George Vincent Francis died at Paignton on June 23, 1969, aged 80, leaving £13,800.
George Vincent Francis died at Paignton on June 23, 1969, aged 80, leaving £13,800.
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