Frank Barton was born at Bordeaux in 1860 where his family ran a wine business.
He was educated at Eton alongside Roddy Owen. Aged 18, he joined the Queen's Bays at Ballincollig and was there taught to ride by his captain, Peter Aubertin who, as a fine jockey, had previously ridden winners in both England and Ireland.
Frank rode his first winner, at Tarporley, on a horse he'd bought for £30: it proved a bargain as he won several small races on him in Cheshire.
Frank rode regularly for his friend and brother officer Captain G. Abercromby, winning many races. He also rode many winners for trainer Captain Childe, including the 1885 Grand Military Gold Cup on the 100-8 outsider Scorn, beating old school chum Roddy Owen by a head in the process.
The best horse Frank rode was The Saint which, because of problems with its wind, had been bought cheaply in Ireland by his friend, Captain Anderson. He enjoyed his best ride on him at the 1887 Liverpool Autumn Meeting. The Saint jumped superbly throughout but was beaten for speed by Why Not over the last and finished second.
Frank's most successful day was at the Household Brigade Meeting in 1887: from six rides he rode four winners and two seconds, Neck or Nothing and Merry Maiden, both trained by Captain Childe.
In February 1888, at Sandown, Frank took a life-threatening fall which immediately ended his career. His mount, The Saint, carrying 13 st 10 lbs, came down at the ditch fence - second time round - giving Frank a dreadful fall.
His spine was broken. Permanently crippled, Frank never rode again nor did he ever fully recover.
