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Francis Shortt was a stalwart of the Irish National Hunt jockeys’ weighing room from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s. He biggest domestic victories included the Leopardstown Chase, the Thyestes Chase (twice) and the Troytown Chase. His most important success in Britain was achieved on Top Twenty in the 1958 Cheltenham Grand Annual Chase.
Francis Shortt was a stalwart of the Irish National Hunt jockeys’ weighing room from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s. He biggest domestic victories included the Leopardstown Chase, the Thyestes Chase (twice) and the Troytown Chase. His most important success in Britain was achieved on Top Twenty in the 1958 Cheltenham Grand Annual Chase.
Francis first came to prominence in 1953 as a 7lb-claiming apprentice on the Flat, his victories that year including the Rockingham Handicap at the Curragh on Starflight and the Ulster Cambridgeshire at Down Royal on Diamor.
Francis first came to prominence in 1953 as a 7lb-claiming apprentice on the Flat, his victories that year including the Rockingham Handicap at the Curragh on Starflight and the Ulster Cambridgeshire at Down Royal on Diamor.
However, it was as a National Hunt jockey that he made his name. recording his first notable success on Sandy Jane II in the 1957 Thyestes Chase.
However, it was as a National Hunt jockey that he made his name. recording his first notable success on Sandy Jane II in the 1957 Thyestes Chase.
He won six races in the early part of the 1957/58 season on the Clem Magnier-trained Top Twenty, culminating in the Munster National at Limerick. Later that same season he rode Top Twenty (right) to win the 1958 Cheltenham Grand Annual, one of only two victories he would achieve on British soil.
He won six races in the early part of the 1957/58 season on the Clem Magnier-trained Top Twenty, culminating in the Munster National at Limerick. Later that same season he rode Top Twenty (right) to win the 1958 Cheltenham Grand Annual, one of only two victories he would achieve on British soil.
The following season, 1958/59, he won five races on the Paddy Murphy-trained Nic Atkins, including twice at the Listowel Festival, the Molony Cup at Thurles and the Dunraven Challenge Cup at Limerick’s Christmas meeting. Later that season, the combination finished second to Zonda in the 1959 Leopardstown Chase. However, jockey and trainer gained a measure of compensation just an hour later when the front-running Fredith’s Son made all to win the Sandyford Handicap Chase, beating future Grand National hero Kilmore by a length. Francis won twice more on Fredith’s Son that season, a Clonmel chase in March and a Leopardstown hurdle in May.
The following season, 1958/59, he won five races on the Paddy Murphy-trained Nic Atkins, including twice at the Listowel Festival, the Molony Cup at Thurles and the Dunraven Challenge Cup at Limerick’s Christmas meeting. Later that season, the combination finished second to Zonda in the 1959 Leopardstown Chase. However, jockey and trainer gained a measure of compensation just an hour later when the front-running Fredith’s Son made all to win the Sandyford Handicap Chase, beating future Grand National hero Kilmore by a length. Francis won twice more on Fredith’s Son that season, a Clonmel chase in March and a Leopardstown hurdle in May.
Further compensation came twice over at Leopardstown the following season, for Francis rode Fredith’s Son to win both the Ticknock Hurdle and the 1960 Leopardstown Chase, beating the previous year’s winner Zonda by 2¾ lengths. Zonda gained his revenge two months later when winning the valuable Punchestown Handicap Chase with Fredith’s Son back in third place.
Further compensation came twice over at Leopardstown the following season, for Francis rode Fredith’s Son to win both the Ticknock Hurdle and the 1960 Leopardstown Chase, beating the previous year’s winner Zonda by 2¾ lengths. Zonda gained his revenge two months later when winning the valuable Punchestown Handicap Chase with Fredith’s Son back in third place.
The next season, 1960/61, Francis scored another big race success on Fredith’s Son in the Troytown Chase. They finished third, beaten 4½ lengths, to Fortria and Owen’s Sedge in the 1961 Irish Grand National. Francis also won three races that season, two hurdles and a novice chase, on another decent horse of Paddy Murphy’s named Brown Diamond.
The next season, 1960/61, Francis scored another big race success on Fredith’s Son in the Troytown Chase. They finished third, beaten 4½ lengths, to Fortria and Owen’s Sedge in the 1961 Irish Grand National. Francis also won three races that season, two hurdles and a novice chase, on another decent horse of Paddy Murphy’s named Brown Diamond.
Francis rode 21 winners in 1962 including Nic Atkins in the Connaught Chase at Ballinrobe and the Easter Chase at Fairyhouse on yet another Paddy Murphy-trained horse, Free Frolic.
Francis rode 21 winners in 1962 including Nic Atkins in the Connaught Chase at Ballinrobe and the Easter Chase at Fairyhouse on yet another Paddy Murphy-trained horse, Free Frolic.
He rode Fredith’s Son in the 1962 Grand National, making most of the running until Valentines second time round, eventually weakening to finish fifth of 17 finishers behind Kilmore, Wyndburgh, Mr What and Gay Navaree. Fredith’s Son made plenty of jumping errors that day and some observers felt that Francis performed miracles in getting the horse round. They were evidently none the worse for their exertions, because three weeks later they finished fourth in the Irish Grand National behind Kerforo, Team Spirit and stablemate Brown Diamond.
He rode Fredith’s Son in the 1962 Grand National, making most of the running until Valentines second time round, eventually weakening to finish fifth of 17 finishers behind Kilmore, Wyndburgh, Mr What and Gay Navaree. Fredith’s Son made plenty of jumping errors that day and some observers felt that Francis performed miracles in getting the horse round. They were evidently none the worse for their exertions, because three weeks later they finished fourth in the Irish Grand National behind Kerforo, Team Spirit and stablemate Brown Diamond.
That summer, Francis rode Burton Brown II, also trained by Paddy Murphy, to victory in the Rank Cup Chase at Killarney’s three-day July Festival. But when summer ended and autumn turned to winter, that winter of 1962/63 became one of the harshest on record, wiping out all British racing between December 22 and March 9, apart from a solitary fixture at Ayr in January which somehow survived the elements.
That summer, Francis rode Burton Brown II, also trained by Paddy Murphy, to victory in the Rank Cup Chase at Killarney’s three-day July Festival. But when summer ended and autumn turned to winter, that winter of 1962/63 became one of the harshest on record, wiping out all British racing between December 22 and March 9, apart from a solitary fixture at Ayr in January which somehow survived the elements.
Irish racing was not nearly so badly affected, and Francis enjoyed a good month in February 1963, winning a second Thyestes Chase on My Baby, beating the favourite Last Link, and the Baldoyle Handicap Chase on Brown Diamond, both of them trained by Paddy Murphy.
Irish racing was not nearly so badly affected, and Francis enjoyed a good month in February 1963, winning a second Thyestes Chase on My Baby, beating the favourite Last Link, and the Baldoyle Handicap Chase on Brown Diamond, both of them trained by Paddy Murphy.
Francis finished third in that year’s Irish Grand National, this time on Brown Diamond, behind the Tom Dreaper-trained pair Last Link and Willow King. However, he enjoyed better fortune at Punchestown two weeks later, winning the Conyngham Cup on Burton Brown II. He won three more races on Burton Brown II that summer, culminating in the Galway Blazers Handicap Chase.
Francis finished third in that year’s Irish Grand National, this time on Brown Diamond, behind the Tom Dreaper-trained pair Last Link and Willow King. However, he enjoyed better fortune at Punchestown two weeks later, winning the Conyngham Cup on Burton Brown II. He won three more races on Burton Brown II that summer, culminating in the Galway Blazers Handicap Chase.
Six days after that Galway success, Francis rode his second – and last – winner in Britain. It was not some big race as might have been imagined, but a lowly maiden hurdle at Devon & Exeter on Wednesday, August 7, 1963. The horse was named Templestone, trained in Ireland by Bertie Auld. Francis had finished second on him in a similar contest at Ballinrobe the previous month. Not surprisingly, he started a warm 7-4 favourite and won by six lengths, presumably landing a gamble in the process.
Six days after that Galway success, Francis rode his second – and last – winner in Britain. It was not some big race as might have been imagined, but a lowly maiden hurdle at Devon & Exeter on Wednesday, August 7, 1963. The horse was named Templestone, trained in Ireland by Bertie Auld. Francis had finished second on him in a similar contest at Ballinrobe the previous month. Not surprisingly, he started a warm 7-4 favourite and won by six lengths, presumably landing a gamble in the process.
Francis finished 1963 with a career-best score of 23 winners. He kicked off 1964 by winning Leopardstown’s Foxrock Cup Chase on Aussie, yet another trained by Paddy Murphy. He followed that with victory over the same course in the Sandyford Handicap Chase on Ferry Boat, trained by Bertie Auld. He finished third on Ferry Boat in that year’s Irish Grand National – the fourth consecutive time Francis had been in the frame in the race – behind Arkle and Height o’ Fashion.
Francis finished 1963 with a career-best score of 23 winners. He kicked off 1964 by winning Leopardstown’s Foxrock Cup Chase on Aussie, yet another trained by Paddy Murphy. He followed that with victory over the same course in the Sandyford Handicap Chase on Ferry Boat, trained by Bertie Auld. He finished third on Ferry Boat in that year’s Irish Grand National – the fourth consecutive time Francis had been in the frame in the race – behind Arkle and Height o’ Fashion.
He ended 1964 with 11 winners. However, on February 13, 1965 he broke a leg in a fall from Chelsea Set at Mullingar, which side-lined him for most of the year and reduced him to just six winners for the year. Three of those were achieved over Leopardstown’s three-day Christmas meeting, winning the Broadwood Hurdle on Vulgan’s Prince, the Stand Maiden Hurdle on Bruno and the Dolphin Handicap Chase on Judkin.
He ended 1964 with 11 winners. However, on February 13, 1965 he broke a leg in a fall from Chelsea Set at Mullingar, which side-lined him for most of the year and reduced him to just six winners for the year. Three of those were achieved over Leopardstown’s three-day Christmas meeting, winning the Broadwood Hurdle on Vulgan’s Prince, the Stand Maiden Hurdle on Bruno and the Dolphin Handicap Chase on Judkin.
By then, Francis was nearing the end of his career. One of his final successes came on Pims, trained by – who else – Paddy Murphy, in the Wee County Handicap Hurdle at Dundalk on June 13, 1966.
By then, Francis was nearing the end of his career. One of his final successes came on Pims, trained by – who else – Paddy Murphy, in the Wee County Handicap Hurdle at Dundalk on June 13, 1966.
He retired not long afterwards but was lured out of retirement a decade later to ride in the Veterans Private Sweepstakes, a one-mile six-furlong charity Flat race at Navan on April 6, 1977. Fellow competitors included former weighing room colleagues Pat Taaffe, Mat Curran, Paddy Woods, Tos Taaffe, Frankie Carroll, Willie Robinson and Eddie Newman, along with earlier greats Martin Molony and Aubrey Brabazon, plus former British champion jockeys Fred Winter, Tim Brookshaw and Jack Dowdeswell. Francis rode 20-1 outsider The Weeden and finished out of the first nine in the 23-runner field.
He retired not long afterwards but was lured out of retirement a decade later to ride in the Veterans Private Sweepstakes, a one-mile six-furlong charity Flat race at Navan on April 6, 1977. Fellow competitors included former weighing room colleagues Pat Taaffe, Mat Curran, Paddy Woods, Tos Taaffe, Frankie Carroll, Willie Robinson and Eddie Newman, along with earlier greats Martin Molony and Aubrey Brabazon, plus former British champion jockeys Fred Winter, Tim Brookshaw and Jack Dowdeswell. Francis rode 20-1 outsider The Weeden and finished out of the first nine in the 23-runner field.
Francis Shortt’s notable wins included:
Francis Shortt’s notable wins included:
1957: Thyestes Chase (Gowran Park) on Sandy Jane II; Munster National Handicap Chase (Limerick) on Top Twenty.
1957: Thyestes Chase (Gowran Park) on Sandy Jane II; Munster National Handicap Chase (Limerick) on Top Twenty.
1958: Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Cheltenham) on Top Twenty; Molony Cup Handicap Chase (Thurles) on Nic Atkins; Dunraven Perpetual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Limerick) on Nic Atkins.
1958: Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Cheltenham) on Top Twenty; Molony Cup Handicap Chase (Thurles) on Nic Atkins; Dunraven Perpetual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Limerick) on Nic Atkins.
1959: Sandyford Handicap Chase (Leopardstown) on Fredith’s Son.
1959: Sandyford Handicap Chase (Leopardstown) on Fredith’s Son.
1960: Ticknock Handicap Hurdle (Leopardstown) on Fredith’s Son; Leopardstown Handicap Chase (Leopardstown) on Fredith’s Son; Troytown Handicap Chase (Navan) on Fredith’s Son.
1960: Ticknock Handicap Hurdle (Leopardstown) on Fredith’s Son; Leopardstown Handicap Chase (Leopardstown) on Fredith’s Son; Troytown Handicap Chase (Navan) on Fredith’s Son.
1962: Connaught Handicap Chase (Ballinrobe) on Nic Atkins; Easter Handicap Chase (Fairyhouse) on Free Frolic; Rank Cup Chase (Killarney) on Burton Brown II.
1962: Connaught Handicap Chase (Ballinrobe) on Nic Atkins; Easter Handicap Chase (Fairyhouse) on Free Frolic; Rank Cup Chase (Killarney) on Burton Brown II.
1963: Thyestes Chase (Gowran Park) on My Baby; Baldoyle Handicap Chase (Baldoyle) on Brown Diamond; Conyngham Cup Handicap Chase (Punchestown) on Burton Brown II; Galway Blazers Handicap Chase (Galway) on Burton Brown II.
1963: Thyestes Chase (Gowran Park) on My Baby; Baldoyle Handicap Chase (Baldoyle) on Brown Diamond; Conyngham Cup Handicap Chase (Punchestown) on Burton Brown II; Galway Blazers Handicap Chase (Galway) on Burton Brown II.
1964: Foxrock Cup Handicap Chase (Leopardstown) on Aussie; Sandyford Handicap Chase (Leopardstown) on Ferry Boat.
1964: Foxrock Cup Handicap Chase (Leopardstown) on Aussie; Sandyford Handicap Chase (Leopardstown) on Ferry Boat.
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