Francis Codd

Francis Codd

Article by Alan Trout

Born in 1866, Francis Martin Codd rode 15 winners under National Hunt rules around the turn of the 20th century, recording a best score of eight in 1901. He was the second jockey, and the first professional, to ride a winner at the newly opened Haydock Park course when Uncle John gave him his first success in the Wigan Steeplechase on February 10, 1899. The winner had shown little in two races in 1898, the second with Francis aboard, but here won comfortably by three lengths.  

There were three more wins that year for the young jockey, including two more on Uncle John, who won on both days of Sheffield’s meeting in November. He had just one success in 1900 but 1901 went much better, thanks to three wins on Sarah and four on Hipdown, two of which were matches. However, Francis did not ride Sarah in 1902, and Hipdown’s career was over by then, so his winning tally slumped to just one.

There was then a gap of almost two years before he gained a final victory, when Riby, a four-year-old having his first race under National Hunt rules, won the Maiden Steeplechase at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, April 4, 1904.  

He did not renew his licence for 1905. 

Francis Codd’s wins were, in chronological order:

1. Uncle Joe, Haydock Park, February 10, 1899

2. Ada, Southwell, May 9, 1899

3. Uncle John, Sheffield, November 6, 1899

4. Uncle John, Sheffield, November 7, 1899

5. Ada, Nottingham, April 30, 1900

6. Sarah, Manchester, January 1, 1901

7. Sarah, Nottingham, February 4, 1901

8. Sarah, Doncaster, February 25, 1901

9. Hipdown, Birmingham, April 30, 1901

10, Hipdown, Birmingham, May 1, 1901

11. Hipdown, Sheffield, May 7, 1901

12. Hipdown, Southwell, May 14, 1901

13. Stirtloe, Manchester, December 10, 1901

14. Tom-tit II, Southwell, May 12, 1902

15. Riby, Market Rasen, April 4, 1904