Frank Gomez
Frank Gomez
Frank Gomez
1929-2007
1929-2007
Francis Joseph Gomez, known as Frank, grew up in Ireland, where his father was a trainer. He was apprenticed to trainer Leo Fahey between 1945 and 1948 when he was granted an Irish National Hunt jockey’s licence. Two of his earliest wins came courtesy of Deadwood Dick, trained by Fahey, in the Dungarvan Maiden Hurdle at Powerstown Park (today known as Clonmel) on November 4, 1948, and in the Ardnacrusha Handicap Hurdle at Limerick on March 17, 1949. Another early success came on Yacht Club, also trained by Fahey, in the Limerick Junction Handicap Hurdle at that eponymous course (today called Tipperary) in May of that year.
Francis Joseph Gomez, known as Frank, grew up in Ireland, where his father was a trainer. He was apprenticed to trainer Leo Fahey between 1945 and 1948 when he was granted an Irish National Hunt jockey’s licence. Two of his earliest wins came courtesy of Deadwood Dick, trained by Fahey, in the Dungarvan Maiden Hurdle at Powerstown Park (today known as Clonmel) on November 4, 1948, and in the Ardnacrusha Handicap Hurdle at Limerick on March 17, 1949. Another early success came on Yacht Club, also trained by Fahey, in the Limerick Junction Handicap Hurdle at that eponymous course (today called Tipperary) in May of that year.
The highlight of Frank’s 1949/50 campaign was his victory on Footit in the Mullingar Gold Cup Handicap Chase in May. Three months later he rode out his claim when winning the Lismore Handicap Hurdle on Flying Fanny at the Waterford & Tramore festival meeting. On April 24, 1952, he recorded a double at Powerstown Park aboard Deadwood Dick in the Fethard Handicap Hurdle and Hatch Street in the Cahir Novice Chase, both trained by Leo Fahey. He won on Hatch Street again, this time over hurdles, at Naas in May 1953.
The highlight of Frank’s 1949/50 campaign was his victory on Footit in the Mullingar Gold Cup Handicap Chase in May. Three months later he rode out his claim when winning the Lismore Handicap Hurdle on Flying Fanny at the Waterford & Tramore festival meeting. On April 24, 1952, he recorded a double at Powerstown Park aboard Deadwood Dick in the Fethard Handicap Hurdle and Hatch Street in the Cahir Novice Chase, both trained by Leo Fahey. He won on Hatch Street again, this time over hurdles, at Naas in May 1953.
Soon after, Frank crossed the Irish Sea and joined Scottish trainer J. A. Craig Brown. He went on to ride eleven winners over the course of two seasons. His first British success was on Trullus in the Duncrub Handicap Hurdle on the horse’s seasonal reappearance at Perth on September 24, 1953, beating Tamdhu, the mount of Jimmy Power by a length. He had four more wins that season from a total of 61 mounts.
Soon after, Frank crossed the Irish Sea and joined Scottish trainer J. A. Craig Brown. He went on to ride eleven winners over the course of two seasons. His first British success was on Trullus in the Duncrub Handicap Hurdle on the horse’s seasonal reappearance at Perth on September 24, 1953, beating Tamdhu, the mount of Jimmy Power by a length. He had four more wins that season from a total of 61 mounts.
He rode six winners during the 1954/55 season from 77 mounts, his most prolific winner being White Slipper’s, on whom he was successful four times. He also rode White Slipper’s in the Molyneux Chase over the Liverpool fences in November 1954, completing the course, albeit in ninth and last place.
He rode six winners during the 1954/55 season from 77 mounts, his most prolific winner being White Slipper’s, on whom he was successful four times. He also rode White Slipper’s in the Molyneux Chase over the Liverpool fences in November 1954, completing the course, albeit in ninth and last place.
His last winner, trained, like all the others, by Craig Brown, was Farney Park, who beat 15 rivals to land the Bridge Handicap Hurdle at Catterick Bridge on New Year’s Day 1955. He rode for the final time at Hexham on Whit Monday, May 30, 1955, but was out of luck on all three mounts that day, pulling up on Wool Ball in the Port Dundas Challenge Cup Chase, finishing last of five on Farney Park in the Summerrods Handicap Hurdle, then pulling up again on Trueblend in the Spital Novices’ Chase. He did not renew his licence the following season.
His last winner, trained, like all the others, by Craig Brown, was Farney Park, who beat 15 rivals to land the Bridge Handicap Hurdle at Catterick Bridge on New Year’s Day 1955. He rode for the final time at Hexham on Whit Monday, May 30, 1955, but was out of luck on all three mounts that day, pulling up on Wool Ball in the Port Dundas Challenge Cup Chase, finishing last of five on Farney Park in the Summerrods Handicap Hurdle, then pulling up again on Trueblend in the Spital Novices’ Chase. He did not renew his licence the following season.
He later emigrated to America and began training in 1967, initially in New York, then moving to Florida when Calder Racecourse opened in 1971. He became a stalwart of South Florida racing for the next 25 years. He was the leading trainer at Calder several times -- 1980-81, 1982-83, and 1992 (spring) Tropical meetings, and the 1982 season at both Calder and neighbouring Gulfstream Park.
He later emigrated to America and began training in 1967, initially in New York, then moving to Florida when Calder Racecourse opened in 1971. He became a stalwart of South Florida racing for the next 25 years. He was the leading trainer at Calder several times -- 1980-81, 1982-83, and 1992 (spring) Tropical meetings, and the 1982 season at both Calder and neighbouring Gulfstream Park.
He twice trained juveniles to sweep Calder’s Florida Stallion Stakes series: Smile (1984) and Naked Greed (1991), and his In Summation was within a nose of a sweep in 2005. He also started the careers of national champions Princess Rooney, Smile, and Cherokee Run. He won more than 100 stakes at Calder throughout the years and was inducted into the Calder Hall of Fame in 1995.
He twice trained juveniles to sweep Calder’s Florida Stallion Stakes series: Smile (1984) and Naked Greed (1991), and his In Summation was within a nose of a sweep in 2005. He also started the careers of national champions Princess Rooney, Smile, and Cherokee Run. He won more than 100 stakes at Calder throughout the years and was inducted into the Calder Hall of Fame in 1995.
Due to declining health, Frank retired in November 2006 after a training career that spanned four decades. He died from cancer at his home in Pembroke Pines, Florida, on December 23, 2007, aged 78. He was survived by daughters Lisa Barnet and Beth Gomez, a son, Christopher Gomez, and three grandchildren. Three sisters also survived him.
Due to declining health, Frank retired in November 2006 after a training career that spanned four decades. He died from cancer at his home in Pembroke Pines, Florida, on December 23, 2007, aged 78. He was survived by daughters Lisa Barnet and Beth Gomez, a son, Christopher Gomez, and three grandchildren. Three sisters also survived him.
Frank Gomez’s British winners were, in chronological order:
Frank Gomez’s British winners were, in chronological order:
1. Trullus, Perth, September 24, 1953
1. Trullus, Perth, September 24, 1953
2. Brumfield, Kelso, March 6, 1954
2. Brumfield, Kelso, March 6, 1954
3. White Slipper’s, Hexham, May 1, 1954
3. White Slipper’s, Hexham, May 1, 1954
4. White Slipper’s, Hexham, June 5, 1954
4. White Slipper’s, Hexham, June 5, 1954
5. White Slipper’s, Cartmel, June 7, 1954
5. White Slipper’s, Cartmel, June 7, 1954
6. Little Stranger, Perth, September 22, 1954
6. Little Stranger, Perth, September 22, 1954
7. White Slipper’s, Perth, September 23, 1954
7. White Slipper’s, Perth, September 23, 1954
8. Little Stranger, Hexham, October 2, 1954
8. Little Stranger, Hexham, October 2, 1954
9. Farney Park, Ayr, October 16, 1954
9. Farney Park, Ayr, October 16, 1954
10, Jungle Flight, Haydock Park, December 10, 1954
10, Jungle Flight, Haydock Park, December 10, 1954
11. Farney Park, Catterick Bridge, January 1, 1955
11. Farney Park, Catterick Bridge, January 1, 1955
September 22, 1954: On the third race on the second day of the Perth Hunt Meeting, the Scone Novices' Hurdle was won by Mr J. Bruce's Little Stranger, ridden by Frank Gomez, closely attended by Mr H. Vaux's Mr Trumper, ridden by S McComb.
September 22, 1954: On the third race on the second day of the Perth Hunt Meeting, the Scone Novices' Hurdle was won by Mr J. Bruce's Little Stranger, ridden by Frank Gomez, closely attended by Mr H. Vaux's Mr Trumper, ridden by S McComb.