Frankie McDonald
Frankie McDonald was the less famous of the two ‘Frankies’ in the weighing room but was a sound journeyman jockey. He enjoyed his best season in 2005 with 23 winners from 370 rides.
Frankie McDonald was the less famous of the two ‘Frankies’ in the weighing room but was a sound journeyman jockey. He enjoyed his best season in 2005 with 23 winners from 370 rides.
He achieved his biggest victory on the Brian Meehan-trained Siena Gold in the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury on July 17, 2004, netting a winner’s prize of £78,300 for the grateful owners.
He achieved his biggest victory on the Brian Meehan-trained Siena Gold in the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury on July 17, 2004, netting a winner’s prize of £78,300 for the grateful owners.
Frankie came within half a length of a Royal Ascot victory when finishing second on Invincible Soul in the 2010 Britannia Handicap. That narrow defeat was typical of his luck that year, during which he endured a losing streak of 81 rides.
Frankie came within half a length of a Royal Ascot victory when finishing second on Invincible Soul in the 2010 Britannia Handicap. That narrow defeat was typical of his luck that year, during which he endured a losing streak of 81 rides.
He rode a lot for trainer Julia Tooth and for Paul Fitzsimons. On September 13, 2011 he rode
He rode a lot for trainer Julia Tooth and for Paul Fitzsimons. On September 13, 2011 he rode
Fitzsimons’ filly Chandigarh to win Folkestone nursery at 33/1. Next time out they ran in more
Fitzsimons’ filly Chandigarh to win Folkestone nursery at 33/1. Next time out they ran in more
elevated company in the valuable Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sale Stakes at Fairyhouse but finished among the also-rans.
elevated company in the valuable Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sale Stakes at Fairyhouse but finished among the also-rans.
In August 2014 Frankie was one of five jockeys, along with Royston Ffrench, Richard Kingscote, Stephen Crane and Kieran O’Neill, to take part in a trial day on the new Tapeta racing surface at Wolverhampton ahead of racing recommencing there. After riding in the trials, Frankie declared, “Great, they’re floating on it”.
In August 2014 Frankie was one of five jockeys, along with Royston Ffrench, Richard Kingscote, Stephen Crane and Kieran O’Neill, to take part in a trial day on the new Tapeta racing surface at Wolverhampton ahead of racing recommencing there. After riding in the trials, Frankie declared, “Great, they’re floating on it”.
Frankie’s last season of race-riding was 2014, in which he rode six winners from 66 rides. His final mount in public was on Pat Phelan’s 66/1 outsider Lucky Dottie in a class 6 handicap at Windsor on October 28, 2014, finishing tenth.
Frankie’s last season of race-riding was 2014, in which he rode six winners from 66 rides. His final mount in public was on Pat Phelan’s 66/1 outsider Lucky Dottie in a class 6 handicap at Windsor on October 28, 2014, finishing tenth.
After giving up the life of a jockey, he rode work for Barry Hills. He also acted as driver for jockey George Baker until the latter’s horror fall in 2017 which ended his career.
After giving up the life of a jockey, he rode work for Barry Hills. He also acted as driver for jockey George Baker until the latter’s horror fall in 2017 which ended his career.