Frank Nash
1938 - 2017
1938 - 2017
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Frank Nash – whose nickname was ‘Bonky’ Nash, possibly due to his prowess as a useful boxer, having been a stable lads boxing champion, or perhaps for other reasons – is one of the lesser-known names of National Hunt racing, and yet he shouldn’t be because his 29 careers wins included back-to-back runnings of the Two-Mile Champion Chase (now known as the Queen Mother Champion Chase) at Cheltenham.
Frank Nash – whose nickname was ‘Bonky’ Nash, possibly due to his prowess as a useful boxer, having been a stable lads boxing champion, or perhaps for other reasons – is one of the lesser-known names of National Hunt racing, and yet he shouldn’t be because his 29 careers wins included back-to-back runnings of the Two-Mile Champion Chase (now known as the Queen Mother Champion Chase) at Cheltenham.
Francis Patrick Nash was born in Limerick on August 19, 1938 and became apprenticed to Captain Robert Laye and then Sir Gordon Richards. He rode his first – and only – winner on the Flat on Sir Gordon’s Honey Harvest in a Brighton apprentices’ handicap on May 27, 1957.
Francis Patrick Nash was born in Limerick on August 19, 1938 and became apprenticed to Captain Robert Laye and then Sir Gordon Richards. He rode his first – and only – winner on the Flat on Sir Gordon’s Honey Harvest in a Brighton apprentices’ handicap on May 27, 1957.
Seeking a career over jumps he joined neighbouring Marlborough trainer Bob Turnell early in 1962 and rode his first National Hunt winner on only his second ride over hurdles, on Sorbus at Worcester on November 14, 1962. His other three winners that season all came in April, two of them over Towcester’s Easter fixture, the other being on novice hurdler Kind Hearts, owned by Paul Mellon, at Wincanton. Paul Mellon’s colours were to play a large part in the later stages of Frank’s career.
Seeking a career over jumps he joined neighbouring Marlborough trainer Bob Turnell early in 1962 and rode his first National Hunt winner on only his second ride over hurdles, on Sorbus at Worcester on November 14, 1962. His other three winners that season all came in April, two of them over Towcester’s Easter fixture, the other being on novice hurdler Kind Hearts, owned by Paul Mellon, at Wincanton. Paul Mellon’s colours were to play a large part in the later stages of Frank’s career.
With Jeff King and Johnny Haine sharing the role as stable jockey, and Bob Turnell’s son Andrew soaring to prominence as a 16-year-old rising star, it was always going to be hard for Frank, being fourth at best in the pecking order for rides, and this was reflected in the fact that he only rode two winners in each of the next two seasons.
With Jeff King and Johnny Haine sharing the role as stable jockey, and Bob Turnell’s son Andrew soaring to prominence as a 16-year-old rising star, it was always going to be hard for Frank, being fourth at best in the pecking order for rides, and this was reflected in the fact that he only rode two winners in each of the next two seasons.
Sorbus gave him his sixth winner at Devon & Exeter in September, 1963, despite Frank losing both irons crossing the last hurdle, while the following month he won a Worcester selling hurdle on Beare Green, owned and trained by Gay Kindersley. Almost 18 months then passed before his next winner, on Bob Tarnell’s chaser Babel at Fontwell in March 1965. That was followed by an Easter Monday success at Newton Abbot in division two of the Mile End Maiden Hurdle on the Len Colville-trained Hill House, who was destined to make his own headlines as the horse who ‘manufactured his own dope’ following his sensational victory in the 1967 Schweppes Gold Trophy at Newbury.
Sorbus gave him his sixth winner at Devon & Exeter in September, 1963, despite Frank losing both irons crossing the last hurdle, while the following month he won a Worcester selling hurdle on Beare Green, owned and trained by Gay Kindersley. Almost 18 months then passed before his next winner, on Bob Tarnell’s chaser Babel at Fontwell in March 1965. That was followed by an Easter Monday success at Newton Abbot in division two of the Mile End Maiden Hurdle on the Len Colville-trained Hill House, who was destined to make his own headlines as the horse who ‘manufactured his own dope’ following his sensational victory in the 1967 Schweppes Gold Trophy at Newbury.
Frank rode seven winners during the 1965/66 campaign, six of them in the Paul Mellon colours of ‘black, gold cross’ – later made famous by Mill Reef – on Drinny’s Double. He had already ridden him in three novice chases, finishing second once at Worcester, before winning for the first time at Plumpton in November 1965, losing his 7lb claim in the process. They won two more novice chases at Worcester before the month was out and then won a two-mile handicap chase at Cheltenham early in January 1966. Pitched into the Cotswold Chase (now the Arkle Chase) at Cheltenham in March, Frank and Drinny’s Double belied their status as 33/1 outsiders by finishing a highly creditable fourth, beaten only five lengths, behind Ken Oliver’s Arctic Sunset and the two Irish challengers, Thorn Gate and Havago. Bob Turnell then dropped Drinny’s Double into novice hurdle company at Wincanton on Easter Monday, where he won comfortably, and followed that by carrying top weight to victory when reverting to fences at Stratford at the end of April.
Frank rode seven winners during the 1965/66 campaign, six of them in the Paul Mellon colours of ‘black, gold cross’ – later made famous by Mill Reef – on Drinny’s Double. He had already ridden him in three novice chases, finishing second once at Worcester, before winning for the first time at Plumpton in November 1965, losing his 7lb claim in the process. They won two more novice chases at Worcester before the month was out and then won a two-mile handicap chase at Cheltenham early in January 1966. Pitched into the Cotswold Chase (now the Arkle Chase) at Cheltenham in March, Frank and Drinny’s Double belied their status as 33/1 outsiders by finishing a highly creditable fourth, beaten only five lengths, behind Ken Oliver’s Arctic Sunset and the two Irish challengers, Thorn Gate and Havago. Bob Turnell then dropped Drinny’s Double into novice hurdle company at Wincanton on Easter Monday, where he won comfortably, and followed that by carrying top weight to victory when reverting to fences at Stratford at the end of April.
Drinny’s Double made a winning reappearance at Wincanton on October 27, 1966, providing Frank with the second leg of a double that day. They then won at Sandown in November, conceding weight to their four rivals. A fortnight later, they were beaten one and a half lengths by Tom Dreaper’s good chaser Dicky May (ridden by Pat Taaffe) in the Black and White Gold Cup at Ascot, then finished second again, beaten a neck, over an extended two miles at Newbury on New Year’s Eve. They returned to winning ways next time out at Kempton in February.
Drinny’s Double made a winning reappearance at Wincanton on October 27, 1966, providing Frank with the second leg of a double that day. They then won at Sandown in November, conceding weight to their four rivals. A fortnight later, they were beaten one and a half lengths by Tom Dreaper’s good chaser Dicky May (ridden by Pat Taaffe) in the Black and White Gold Cup at Ascot, then finished second again, beaten a neck, over an extended two miles at Newbury on New Year’s Eve. They returned to winning ways next time out at Kempton in February.
Frank kicked off March 1967 in good style, winning the ITV-televised Sir Billy Butlin Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen on the Arthur Freeman-trained Stratford Charlie, but a far greater prize lay in store at Cheltenham ten days later when he and Drinny’s Double followed their Kempton success by landing the National Hunt Two-Mile Champion Chase beating Arthur Stephenson’s Pawnbroker (Paddy Broderick) by a neck, with his Cotswold Chase conqueror Arctic Sunset (George Milburn) two and a half lengths further back in third. Later that month, Frank won another race on Stratford Charlie, this time at Southwell, before partnering Drinny’s Double to another victory, this time back over hurdles at Chepstow. Switching his horses from hurdles to fences and vice versa during a season was a typical Bob Turnell trait; he did that with many of his best horses, reasoning that the variety freshened a horse up and maintained its interest.
Frank kicked off March 1967 in good style, winning the ITV-televised Sir Billy Butlin Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen on the Arthur Freeman-trained Stratford Charlie, but a far greater prize lay in store at Cheltenham ten days later when he and Drinny’s Double followed their Kempton success by landing the National Hunt Two-Mile Champion Chase beating Arthur Stephenson’s Pawnbroker (Paddy Broderick) by a neck, with his Cotswold Chase conqueror Arctic Sunset (George Milburn) two and a half lengths further back in third. Later that month, Frank won another race on Stratford Charlie, this time at Southwell, before partnering Drinny’s Double to another victory, this time back over hurdles at Chepstow. Switching his horses from hurdles to fences and vice versa during a season was a typical Bob Turnell trait; he did that with many of his best horses, reasoning that the variety freshened a horse up and maintained its interest.
Frank rode only two winners the following season, beginning with another Arthur Freeman-trained horse, Ladas F, in the Aveling-Barford Invicta Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen in September 1967. As for Drinny’s Double, he won only once from five starts, but that was when repeating his previous year’s triumph in the National Hunt Two-Mile Champion Chase, this time beating rank outsider Border Grace (Roddy Reid up) by a length and a half, with the Tom Dreaper-trained 6/5 favourite Ronan (Pat Taaffe) six lengths away in third.
Frank rode only two winners the following season, beginning with another Arthur Freeman-trained horse, Ladas F, in the Aveling-Barford Invicta Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen in September 1967. As for Drinny’s Double, he won only once from five starts, but that was when repeating his previous year’s triumph in the National Hunt Two-Mile Champion Chase, this time beating rank outsider Border Grace (Roddy Reid up) by a length and a half, with the Tom Dreaper-trained 6/5 favourite Ronan (Pat Taaffe) six lengths away in third.
Next time out, Drinny’s Double was surprisingly defeated at odds-on in a minor conditions chase at Devon & Exeter. He ran only once more, beaten eight lengths in a similar contest at Taunton in September 1968, anchored by his welter burden of 12st 11lb. Bob Turnell duly called time on his dual Cheltenham Festival winner and packed
Next time out, Drinny’s Double was surprisingly defeated at odds-on in a minor conditions chase at Devon & Exeter. He ran only once more, beaten eight lengths in a similar contest at Taunton in September 1968, anchored by his welter burden of 12st 11lb. Bob Turnell duly called time on his dual Cheltenham Festival winner and packed
him off into retirement. Frank rode just one winner that season, an Easter Monday ‘spare’ at Wincanton on novice hurdler Safe And Sound for Upper Lambourn trainer Richard Head.
him off into retirement. Frank rode just one winner that season, an Easter Monday ‘spare’ at Wincanton on novice hurdler Safe And Sound for Upper Lambourn trainer Richard Head.
It was another Wincanton bank holiday winner, Bob Turnell’s Miss Step on Boxing Day 1969, that proved to be the last of Frank’s career. Although he continued to hold a jockey’s licence until 1976, he rode only occasionally. He went on to work for Peter Makin, with whom he stayed for 24 years, his last job being as travelling head lad for Roger Charlton for seven years before retiring in 2006, aged 68.
It was another Wincanton bank holiday winner, Bob Turnell’s Miss Step on Boxing Day 1969, that proved to be the last of Frank’s career. Although he continued to hold a jockey’s licence until 1976, he rode only occasionally. He went on to work for Peter Makin, with whom he stayed for 24 years, his last job being as travelling head lad for Roger Charlton for seven years before retiring in 2006, aged 68.
Frank and his wife Wendy were married on March 18, 1961 and settled in Marlborough. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 2011, for which they were treated to a holiday in Rome by their six children as a surprise wedding present.
Frank and his wife Wendy were married on March 18, 1961 and settled in Marlborough. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 2011, for which they were treated to a holiday in Rome by their six children as a surprise wedding present.
Frank 'Bonky' Nash died on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, aged 79.
Frank 'Bonky' Nash died on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, aged 79.
Taken from The Birmingham Post, March 15, 1967
Taken from The Birmingham Post, March 15, 1967
Frank Nash’s winners were, in chronological order:
Frank Nash’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Honey Harvest, Brighton, May 27, 1957
1. Honey Harvest, Brighton, May 27, 1957
2. Sorbus, Worcester, November 14, 1962
2. Sorbus, Worcester, November 14, 1962
3. Beau Normand, Towcester, April 13, 1963
3. Beau Normand, Towcester, April 13, 1963
4. Tell Tale, Towcester, April 15, 1963
4. Tell Tale, Towcester, April 15, 1963
5. Kind Hearts, Wincanton, April 25, 1963
5. Kind Hearts, Wincanton, April 25, 1963
6. Sorbus, Devon & Exeter, September 5, 1963
6. Sorbus, Devon & Exeter, September 5, 1963
7. Beare Green, Worcester, October 30, 1963
7. Beare Green, Worcester, October 30, 1963
8. Babel, Fontwell Park, March 29, 1965
8. Babel, Fontwell Park, March 29, 1965
9. Hill House, Newton Abbot, April 19, 1965
9. Hill House, Newton Abbot, April 19, 1965
10. Drinny’s Double, Plumpton, November 15, 1965
10. Drinny’s Double, Plumpton, November 15, 1965
11. Drinny’s Double, Worcester, November 20, 1965
11. Drinny’s Double, Worcester, November 20, 1965
12. Drinny’s Double, Worcester, November 27, 1965
12. Drinny’s Double, Worcester, November 27, 1965
13. Escutcheon, Windsor, December 18, 1965
13. Escutcheon, Windsor, December 18, 1965
14. Drinny’s Double, Cheltenham, January 6, 1966
14. Drinny’s Double, Cheltenham, January 6, 1966
15. Drinny’s Double, Wincanton, April 11, 1966
15. Drinny’s Double, Wincanton, April 11, 1966
16. Drinny’s Double, Stratford-on-Avon, April 28, 1966
16. Drinny’s Double, Stratford-on-Avon, April 28, 1966
17. Collomyth, Wincanton, September 29, 1966
17. Collomyth, Wincanton, September 29, 1966
18. Collomyth, Wincanton, October 27, 1966
18. Collomyth, Wincanton, October 27, 1966
19. Drinny’s Double, Wincanton, October 27, 1966
19. Drinny’s Double, Wincanton, October 27, 1966
20. Drinny’s Double, Sandown Park, November 5, 1966
20. Drinny’s Double, Sandown Park, November 5, 1966
21. Drinny’s Double, Kempton Park, February 3, 1967
21. Drinny’s Double, Kempton Park, February 3, 1967
22. Stratford Charlie, Market Rasen, March 4, 1967
22. Stratford Charlie, Market Rasen, March 4, 1967
23. Drinny’s Double, Cheltenham, March 14, 1967
23. Drinny’s Double, Cheltenham, March 14, 1967
24. Stratford Charlie, Southwell, March 25, 1967
24. Stratford Charlie, Southwell, March 25, 1967
25. Drinny’s Double, Chepstow, March 28, 1967
25. Drinny’s Double, Chepstow, March 28, 1967
26. Ladas F, Market Rasen, September 23, 1967
26. Ladas F, Market Rasen, September 23, 1967
27. Drinny’s Double, Cheltenham, March 19, 1968
27. Drinny’s Double, Cheltenham, March 19, 1968
28. Safe And Sound, Wincanton, April 7, 1969
28. Safe And Sound, Wincanton, April 7, 1969
29. Miss Step, Wincanton, December 26, 1969
29. Miss Step, Wincanton, December 26, 1969