Robert Thornton
Robert Alan ‘Choc’ Thornton was born on July 14, 1978 in Darlington. After growing up riding hunters with his father, a noted professional huntsman, he started working for trainer David Nicholson. He had his first ride on Philipintown Lad at Southwell on April 19, 1995, finishing fourth. His first winner was KC’s Dancer at Cheltenham on October 25, 1995. He was champion amateur in the 1996/97 season with 30 winners.
Robert Alan ‘Choc’ Thornton was born on July 14, 1978 in Darlington. After growing up riding hunters with his father, a noted professional huntsman, he started working for trainer David Nicholson. He had his first ride on Philipintown Lad at Southwell on April 19, 1995, finishing fourth. His first winner was KC’s Dancer at Cheltenham on October 25, 1995. He was champion amateur in the 1996/97 season with 30 winners.
He joined the paid ranks the following season and achieved immediate success by riding 71 winners during his first professional season. He won the conditional jockeys’ title the following year. After Nicholson retired in 1999, Choc went on to form an enduring partnership with Alan King, for whom he rode as stable jockey for the remainder of his career. He consistently featured in the top 10 of the British jump jockeys’ championship. His most successful season was in 2007/2008, during which he broke the 100-winner barrier for the first time, by winning 105 of his 597 races.
He joined the paid ranks the following season and achieved immediate success by riding 71 winners during his first professional season. He won the conditional jockeys’ title the following year. After Nicholson retired in 1999, Choc went on to form an enduring partnership with Alan King, for whom he rode as stable jockey for the remainder of his career. He consistently featured in the top 10 of the British jump jockeys’ championship. His most successful season was in 2007/2008, during which he broke the 100-winner barrier for the first time, by winning 105 of his 597 races.
His greatest achievements were all at the Cheltenham Festival, at which he rode a total of 16 winners, beginning while still an amateur in the 1997 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup on King Lucifer.
His greatest achievements were all at the Cheltenham Festival, at which he rode a total of 16 winners, beginning while still an amateur in the 1997 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup on King Lucifer.
He won the 2005 Triumph Hurdle on Penzance. In 2006 he won the Arkle Challenge Trophy on Voy Por Ustedes and rode My Way De Solzen to victory in the World Hurdle (now known as the Stayers’ Hurdle). Choc rated My Way De Solzen as the best horse he rode during his career. All three were trained by Alan King.
He won the 2005 Triumph Hurdle on Penzance. In 2006 he won the Arkle Challenge Trophy on Voy Por Ustedes and rode My Way De Solzen to victory in the World Hurdle (now known as the Stayers’ Hurdle). Choc rated My Way De Solzen as the best horse he rode during his career. All three were trained by Alan King.
Choc won the top jockey title at the Cheltenham Festival in 2007, riding four winners during the meeting, including the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Voy Por Ustedes, the Arkle Challenge Trophy on My Way De Solzen and the Triumph Hurdle on Katchit.
Choc won the top jockey title at the Cheltenham Festival in 2007, riding four winners during the meeting, including the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Voy Por Ustedes, the Arkle Challenge Trophy on My Way De Solzen and the Triumph Hurdle on Katchit.
He rode three winners at the 2008 Festival including a notable first day double, landing the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on Captain Cee Bee and the Champion Hurdle on Katchit. His third win was achieved on Nenuphar Collonges for Paul Nicholls in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
He rode three winners at the 2008 Festival including a notable first day double, landing the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on Captain Cee Bee and the Champion Hurdle on Katchit. His third win was achieved on Nenuphar Collonges for Paul Nicholls in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
Choc rode his 1,000th career winner on Araldur at Towcester on March 28, 2011. He went on to ride a total of 1,123 National Hunt winners in Britain and Ireland, plus six on the Flat.
Choc rode his 1,000th career winner on Araldur at Towcester on March 28, 2011. He went on to ride a total of 1,123 National Hunt winners in Britain and Ireland, plus six on the Flat.
His last win was on Ned Stark at Chepstow on April 25, 2014. Later that afternoon he took a bad fall from Say When in which he suffered fractured vertebrae. The 37-year-old had hoped to make a comeback after undergoing significant physiotherapy at Oaksey House, the Injured Jockeys Fund rehabilitation centre. However, complications as a result of his injuries meant that he was forced to retire.
His last win was on Ned Stark at Chepstow on April 25, 2014. Later that afternoon he took a bad fall from Say When in which he suffered fractured vertebrae. The 37-year-old had hoped to make a comeback after undergoing significant physiotherapy at Oaksey House, the Injured Jockeys Fund rehabilitation centre. However, complications as a result of his injuries meant that he was forced to retire.
Choc is now focusing on the Flat in his role as manager of 120-acre Apple Tree Stud, near Stow-on-the-Wold in the Cotswolds, the breeding and racing venture set up by Paul Dunkley. They have horses are in training with Clive Cox, Luca Cumani, William Haggas and James Fanshawe, as well as Choc’s old boss Alan King.
Choc is now focusing on the Flat in his role as manager of 120-acre Apple Tree Stud, near Stow-on-the-Wold in the Cotswolds, the breeding and racing venture set up by Paul Dunkley. They have horses are in training with Clive Cox, Luca Cumani, William Haggas and James Fanshawe, as well as Choc’s old boss Alan King.
He is unrelated to the former National Hunt jockey Andrew Thornton.
He is unrelated to the former National Hunt jockey Andrew Thornton.