Frank Boyce

Frank, son of St Leger winner Richard Dixon Boyce, was the rider of Gulnare, winner of the 1827 Oaks, ran on Friday, June 1. 

Two years later, he was on board Patron, winning the 2,000 Guineas.

By and large, though, he was not a first-rate jockey nor, indeed, a lucky one. Challenging on May-day for the Epsom Oaks (1834) and looking certain to win, the filly collapsed beneath him, breaking her neck.

Frank specialized in getting his mounts away from the start quickly – a great advantage in the increasing number of sprint races of those days.

His other big wins included three Goodwood Cup wins on Link Boy (1827), Miss Craven (1828) and Rubini (1833).

He also won the 1829 Goodwood Stakes on The Alderman.

In November 1836, Frank’s wife died of consumption. Just two weeks later, on Friday, November 18th, Frank himself died from the very same illness. He was 32.

Gulnare is a settlement in South Australia with, in the 2006 census, a population of 96.

Frank's son, Charles, became the trainer and rider of Emigrant, winner of the 1857 Grand National.