National Hunt jockey Frank Byrne held a licence for two seasons in the late 1960s. He was based with Ashford, Kent trainer George Ripley and rode one winner from a limited number of opportunities.
He is best remembered for his association with hurdler Clyde’s Romance, on whom he had his first ride under NH rules at Fontwell on August 21, 1967, coming in seventh of the 14 finishers. They finished second at Huntingdon seven days later and second again at Wye on October 2, then placed fourth at Folkestone.
Frank and Clyde’s Romance finally gained their reward by winning the Chilham Selling Handicap Hurdle at Wye on October 23, 1967. For Frank it was a typical example of the ups and downs of a jump jockey. He had two other rides that afternoon, one fell and the other pulled up.
He rode Clyde’s Romance just twice more, both times at Plumpton, finishing ninth of ten on October 31 and last of seven finishers on November 16.
Frank went to live in Zambia in 1969 and rode on the Flat there before setting up as a trainer. He made a brief comeback in Britain during the 1975/76 season but rode no further winners.
