Francis Robert Sclater was born on June 8, 1903, the son of a clergyman. He started out as an amateur rider and rode his first winner on Maxtoi in the Criterion Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase at Sandown Park on April 23, 1927 on only his second ride in public.
He turned professional in 1931 and went on to ride a total of 43 winners. He rode in two Grand Nationals, falling on Alike in 1931 and on Fortnum in 1934.
Frank died on June 26, 1984, aged 81.