Embedded Files
Frank Grimes
Frank Grimes
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Francis Peter Grimes had one win on the Flat and seven over jumps. On the level he was apprenticed to Tony Ingham and had his first success at Newbury on May 18, 1979, when Versailles Prince got up in the last few strides to beat Spanish Issue by a short head and take the London Apprentice Handicap. Of the 18 apprentices who followed him home that day, only Tony Clark went on to make much of an impact on the sport. Frank had two more rides on the six-year-old, finishing third once, but had few other opportunities.
Francis Peter Grimes had one win on the Flat and seven over jumps. On the level he was apprenticed to Tony Ingham and had his first success at Newbury on May 18, 1979, when Versailles Prince got up in the last few strides to beat Spanish Issue by a short head and take the London Apprentice Handicap. Of the 18 apprentices who followed him home that day, only Tony Clark went on to make much of an impact on the sport. Frank had two more rides on the six-year-old, finishing third once, but had few other opportunities.
Soon he was riding some of Tony Ingham’s jumpers, beginning at Sandown on November 30, 1979, when Strong Hand was a never nearer eighth of 15 in the Doug Barrott Handicap Hurdle.
Soon he was riding some of Tony Ingham’s jumpers, beginning at Sandown on November 30, 1979, when Strong Hand was a never nearer eighth of 15 in the Doug Barrott Handicap Hurdle.
He had the second victory of his career at Lingfield Park on February 16, 1980, when Ty-Ar-Een took the lead two flights out and, despite a mistake at the last, ran on to beat Wazir by 12 lengths in the Hever Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1). After finishing second at Fontwell Park nine days later they resumed winning ways by taking the |March Hare Handicap Hurdle at Newbury on February 29. The hat-trick was achieved next time out at Folkestone on March 17, but it was only by a head that they defeated Bill Smith’s mount Lustroso in the Deal Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1).
He had the second victory of his career at Lingfield Park on February 16, 1980, when Ty-Ar-Een took the lead two flights out and, despite a mistake at the last, ran on to beat Wazir by 12 lengths in the Hever Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1). After finishing second at Fontwell Park nine days later they resumed winning ways by taking the |March Hare Handicap Hurdle at Newbury on February 29. The hat-trick was achieved next time out at Folkestone on March 17, but it was only by a head that they defeated Bill Smith’s mount Lustroso in the Deal Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1).
His companion from the Flat, Versailles Prince, gave him his final success of the season with a comfortable victory in the Towcester Spring Handicap Hurdle at that Northamptonshire venue on April 5, the margin of victory being 12 lengths.
His companion from the Flat, Versailles Prince, gave him his final success of the season with a comfortable victory in the Towcester Spring Handicap Hurdle at that Northamptonshire venue on April 5, the margin of victory being 12 lengths.
He drew a blank in the 1980/81 campaign but came back to score at Plumpton on October 27, 1981, when Goldoration held off the challenge of Yukon Flash to take the Dyke Selling Handicap hurdle by three-quarters of a length. The six-year-old was trained by Hugh O’Neill, with whom Frank was by then associated. He was replaced on Goldoration on the horse’s next three starts but was back in the saddle at Plumpton on April 10, 1982, landing the Hallands Selling Handicap Hurdle, beating Errantry by a length and a half.
He drew a blank in the 1980/81 campaign but came back to score at Plumpton on October 27, 1981, when Goldoration held off the challenge of Yukon Flash to take the Dyke Selling Handicap hurdle by three-quarters of a length. The six-year-old was trained by Hugh O’Neill, with whom Frank was by then associated. He was replaced on Goldoration on the horse’s next three starts but was back in the saddle at Plumpton on April 10, 1982, landing the Hallands Selling Handicap Hurdle, beating Errantry by a length and a half.
Seven days later Frank had his last victory when the five-year-old mare Kascina proved too good for her eight rivals in the Abbots Ripton Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon on April 17, 1982. He had his final ride at Windsor on March 7, 1983, when Minnie Love was unplaced in the Final Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Hurdle, having been prominent early.
Seven days later Frank had his last victory when the five-year-old mare Kascina proved too good for her eight rivals in the Abbots Ripton Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon on April 17, 1982. He had his final ride at Windsor on March 7, 1983, when Minnie Love was unplaced in the Final Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Hurdle, having been prominent early.
Frank Grimes’ wins were, in chronological order:
Frank Grimes’ wins were, in chronological order:
1. Versailles Prince, Newbury, May 18, 1979
1. Versailles Prince, Newbury, May 18, 1979
2. Ty-Ar-Een, Lingfield Park, February 16, 1980
2. Ty-Ar-Een, Lingfield Park, February 16, 1980
3. Ty-Ar-Een, Newbury, February 29, 1980
3. Ty-Ar-Een, Newbury, February 29, 1980
4. Ty-Ar-Een, Folkestone, March 17, 1980
4. Ty-Ar-Een, Folkestone, March 17, 1980
5. Versailles Prince, Towcester, April 5, 1980
5. Versailles Prince, Towcester, April 5, 1980
6. Goldoration, Plumpton, October 27, 1981
6. Goldoration, Plumpton, October 27, 1981
7. Goldoration, Plumpton, April 10, 1982
7. Goldoration, Plumpton, April 10, 1982
8. Kascina, Huntingdon, April 17, 1982
8. Kascina, Huntingdon, April 17, 1982
Goldoration: Frank's penultimate winner, 1982
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse