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Franny Norton returns to the paddock after winning on Siren's Gift at Leicester on September 11, 2007
Franny Norton returns to the paddock after winning on Siren's Gift at Leicester on September 11, 2007
Photo courtesy of Mary Pitt
Franny Norton
Franny Norton
by Chris Pitt
Francis Charles (Franny) Norton was born in the Belle Vale suburb of Liverpool on July 28, 1970. He began his career in racing with trainer Peter Arthur, subsequently joining Charlie Nelson and Alan Bailey before completing his apprenticeship with Geoff Wragg.
Francis Charles (Franny) Norton was born in the Belle Vale suburb of Liverpool on July 28, 1970. He began his career in racing with trainer Peter Arthur, subsequently joining Charlie Nelson and Alan Bailey before completing his apprenticeship with Geoff Wragg.
His first ride was on Chateau Perigord, trained by Charlie Nelson, finishing third in a selling race at Chepstow, May 30, 1988. He rode his first winner on Stoneyford at Pisa in Italy, early in 1989. His first winner in Britain, however, was Easter Glory in a six-furlong apprentices’ handicap at Salisbury on May 3, 1989.
His first ride was on Chateau Perigord, trained by Charlie Nelson, finishing third in a selling race at Chepstow, May 30, 1988. He rode his first winner on Stoneyford at Pisa in Italy, early in 1989. His first winner in Britain, however, was Easter Glory in a six-furlong apprentices’ handicap at Salisbury on May 3, 1989.
He achieved his first big race success when still a 5lb claimer on Halkopous, trained by Mark Tompkins, in the 1991 John Smith’s Magnet Cup at York on July 13, 1991. Back at York the following month, he gained an even greater success in the Ebor Handicap aboard Deposki. He finished runner-up in that year’s apprentice championship with 40 wins, albeit well adrift of Darryll Holland’s winning total of 79.
He achieved his first big race success when still a 5lb claimer on Halkopous, trained by Mark Tompkins, in the 1991 John Smith’s Magnet Cup at York on July 13, 1991. Back at York the following month, he gained an even greater success in the Ebor Handicap aboard Deposki. He finished runner-up in that year’s apprentice championship with 40 wins, albeit well adrift of Darryll Holland’s winning total of 79.
Other major victories during the 1990s included the 1994 Chipchase Stakes on Piccolo and the 1999 Cambridgeshire on She’s Our Mare, the latter victory earning him the accolade of Flat Ride of the Year at the annual Lester Awards.
Other major victories during the 1990s included the 1994 Chipchase Stakes on Piccolo and the 1999 Cambridgeshire on She’s Our Mare, the latter victory earning him the accolade of Flat Ride of the Year at the annual Lester Awards.
A talented boxer, he had at one time been unsure of which sporting path to take, boxing or racing. He opted for the latter but when his tally of wins dwindled in the mid-1990s, he seriously considered making a return to the ring, only to be dissuaded from doing so by a friend’s wise counsel.
A talented boxer, he had at one time been unsure of which sporting path to take, boxing or racing. He opted for the latter but when his tally of wins dwindled in the mid-1990s, he seriously considered making a return to the ring, only to be dissuaded from doing so by a friend’s wise counsel.
It proved the right decision, for it was in the new millennium that Franny really came into his own. He rode his first Royal Ascot winner in 2000 on El Gran Papa in the Britannia Handicap, winning that race again in 2001 on Analyser. He recorded his first Listed race success on Foxhaven for trainer Patrick Chamings in the Carlsberg-sponsored Stand Cup at Chester in 2006. Later that year he had his first Group race winner on Princess Iris in the Group 3 Firth of Clyde Stakes at Ayr.
It proved the right decision, for it was in the new millennium that Franny really came into his own. He rode his first Royal Ascot winner in 2000 on El Gran Papa in the Britannia Handicap, winning that race again in 2001 on Analyser. He recorded his first Listed race success on Foxhaven for trainer Patrick Chamings in the Carlsberg-sponsored Stand Cup at Chester in 2006. Later that year he had his first Group race winner on Princess Iris in the Group 3 Firth of Clyde Stakes at Ayr.
In 2007 he rode a Group winner for the late Queen when guiding Banknote to victory in the Group 3 Badener Mile at Baden-Baden in Germany. He won three Listed races on the Paul Blockley-trained Lady Deauville in 2008, comprising Salisbury’s Upavon Fillies’ Stakes, Bath’s Dick Hern Fillies’ Stakes and Ayr’s Doonside Cup.
In 2007 he rode a Group winner for the late Queen when guiding Banknote to victory in the Group 3 Badener Mile at Baden-Baden in Germany. He won three Listed races on the Paul Blockley-trained Lady Deauville in 2008, comprising Salisbury’s Upavon Fillies’ Stakes, Bath’s Dick Hern Fillies’ Stakes and Ayr’s Doonside Cup.
While he enjoyed many Group and Listed race successes, the richest prize he landed in terms of winner’s prize money was the £206,900 for the 2012 running of Weatherbys Insurance £300,000 T-Y-O Stakes at Doncaster on The Gold Cheongsam. Franny immediately dedicated that win to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, a day after Liverpool fans had been cleared of any blame in relation to the 1989 tragedy in which 96 people died. Franny had also won that same race in 2007 when the winner’s prize was ‘only’ £191,533.
While he enjoyed many Group and Listed race successes, the richest prize he landed in terms of winner’s prize money was the £206,900 for the 2012 running of Weatherbys Insurance £300,000 T-Y-O Stakes at Doncaster on The Gold Cheongsam. Franny immediately dedicated that win to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, a day after Liverpool fans had been cleared of any blame in relation to the 1989 tragedy in which 96 people died. Franny had also won that same race in 2007 when the winner’s prize was ‘only’ £191,533.
During his last dozen or so years in the saddle he was regularly employed by Yorkshire trainer Mark Johnston, for whom Frany recorded the first of his five Grade 2 victories on Permian in the 2017 Dante Stakes, a race he won again for Johnston three years later on Thunderous.
During his last dozen or so years in the saddle he was regularly employed by Yorkshire trainer Mark Johnston, for whom Frany recorded the first of his five Grade 2 victories on Permian in the 2017 Dante Stakes, a race he won again for Johnston three years later on Thunderous.
His most successful year in terms of wins was 112 in 2018, placing him joint-tenth in the jockeys’ championship.
His most successful year in terms of wins was 112 in 2018, placing him joint-tenth in the jockeys’ championship.
He won two Group 2 races and a Group 3 on the Johnston-trained Sir Ron Priestley and finished second on that horse in the 2019 St Leger, the only occasion on which he was placed in an English Classic.
He won two Group 2 races and a Group 3 on the Johnston-trained Sir Ron Priestley and finished second on that horse in the 2019 St Leger, the only occasion on which he was placed in an English Classic.
With more than 150 winners at Chester to his credit, more than twice his nearest rival, Frany was the undisputed ‘King of the Roodee’. Fittingly, aged 54, he elected to retire from the saddle there on Saturday, September 21, 2024, Chester’s last meeting of the season.
With more than 150 winners at Chester to his credit, more than twice his nearest rival, Frany was the undisputed ‘King of the Roodee’. Fittingly, aged 54, he elected to retire from the saddle there on Saturday, September 21, 2024, Chester’s last meeting of the season.
He won on the third of his seven booked rides, the short-priced favourite Raneenn for Newmarket trainer William Haggas. The pressure to ride a winner on his last day was off.
He won on the third of his seven booked rides, the short-priced favourite Raneenn for Newmarket trainer William Haggas. The pressure to ride a winner on his last day was off.
Franny was afforded a guard of honour before his penultimate ride on Small Fry in the Camden Hells Handicap, with the rider soaking up the cheers of the crowd on his way out of the weighing room. Sent off the 11-10 favourite, Franny’s mount went clear turning for home and raised the Chester roof as he came home a length-and-a-quarter winner.
Franny was afforded a guard of honour before his penultimate ride on Small Fry in the Camden Hells Handicap, with the rider soaking up the cheers of the crowd on his way out of the weighing room. Sent off the 11-10 favourite, Franny’s mount went clear turning for home and raised the Chester roof as he came home a length-and-a-quarter winner.
His final ride, Qitaal, in the last race on the Chester card, the Abacus Securities Farewell to Franny Norton Handicap, was sent off the 2-1 favourite. The by then rain-soaked crowd were praying for a happy ending, and their prayers were answered as Qitaal, appropriately trained by Charlie Johnson, son of Mark, stormed home for a fairytale victory. It was his 1,907th and last winner in Britain.
His final ride, Qitaal, in the last race on the Chester card, the Abacus Securities Farewell to Franny Norton Handicap, was sent off the 2-1 favourite. The by then rain-soaked crowd were praying for a happy ending, and their prayers were answered as Qitaal, appropriately trained by Charlie Johnson, son of Mark, stormed home for a fairytale victory. It was his 1,907th and last winner in Britain.
A treble on his final day in the saddle at the course on which he reigned supreme. What a way to bring down the curtain on a 36-year career.
A treble on his final day in the saddle at the course on which he reigned supreme. What a way to bring down the curtain on a 36-year career.
Franny Norton’s big race wins included:
Franny Norton’s big race wins included:
1991: John Smith’s Magnet Cup – Halkopous
1991: John Smith’s Magnet Cup – Halkopous
1991: Ebor Handicap – Deposki
1991: Ebor Handicap – Deposki
1994: Chipchase Stakes – Piccolo
1994: Chipchase Stakes – Piccolo
1999: Cambridgeshire – She’s Our Mare
1999: Cambridgeshire – She’s Our Mare
2000: Britannia Handicap – El Gran Papa
2000: Britannia Handicap – El Gran Papa
2001: Britannia Handicap – Analyser
2001: Britannia Handicap – Analyser
2001: Northumberland Plate – Archduke Ferdinand
2001: Northumberland Plate – Archduke Ferdinand
2005: Totesport Mile – Unshakable
2005: Totesport Mile – Unshakable
2006: Stand Cup (Chester) – Foxhaven
2006: Stand Cup (Chester) – Foxhaven
2006: Firth of Clyde Stakes – Princess Iris
2006: Firth of Clyde Stakes – Princess Iris
2007: Buckingham Palace Handicap – Binanti
2007: Buckingham Palace Handicap – Binanti
2007: Samsung £300,000 St Leger T-Y-O Stakes – Dream Eater
2007: Samsung £300,000 St Leger T-Y-O Stakes – Dream Eater
2008: Upavon Fillies’ Stakes – Lady Deauville
2008: Upavon Fillies’ Stakes – Lady Deauville
2008: Dick Hern Fillies’ Stakes – Lady Deaville
2008: Dick Hern Fillies’ Stakes – Lady Deaville
2008: Doonside Cup – Lady Deauville
2008: Doonside Cup – Lady Deauville
2009: Abernant Stakes – Tax Free
2009: Abernant Stakes – Tax Free
2009: Beverley Bullet Sprint – Exceptional Art
2009: Beverley Bullet Sprint – Exceptional Art
2009: Two-Year-Old Trophy (Redcar) – Lucky Like
2009: Two-Year-Old Trophy (Redcar) – Lucky Like
2011: Ayr Gold Cup – Our Jonathan
2011: Ayr Gold Cup – Our Jonathan
2012: Cheshire Oaks – Good Morning Star
2012: Cheshire Oaks – Good Morning Star
2012: Weatherbys Insurance £300,000 T-Y-O Stakes – The Gold Chongsam
2012: Weatherbys Insurance £300,000 T-Y-O Stakes – The Gold Chongsam
2012: November Handicap – Art Scholar
2012: November Handicap – Art Scholar
2013: Old Newton Cup – Satr Lahib
2013: Old Newton Cup – Satr Lahib
1013: Upavon Fillies’ Stakes – Mango Diva
1013: Upavon Fillies’ Stakes – Mango Diva
2014: Daisy Warwick Stakes – Special Meaning
2014: Daisy Warwick Stakes – Special Meaning
2014: Doonside Cup – Sennockian Star
2014: Doonside Cup – Sennockian Star
2016: Prestige Stakes – Kilmah
2016: Prestige Stakes – Kilmah
2016: Stonehenge Stakes – Montataire
2016: Stonehenge Stakes – Montataire
2017: Dante Stakes – Permian
2017: Dante Stakes – Permian
2017: Stonehenge Stakes – Mildenberger
2017: Stonehenge Stakes – Mildenberger
2017: Rockingham Stakes – Rebel Assault
2017: Rockingham Stakes – Rebel Assault
2018: Radley Stakes – Iconic Choice
2018: Radley Stakes – Iconic Choice
2019: Further Flight Stakes – Elegiac
2019: Further Flight Stakes – Elegiac
2019: Chester Cup – Making Miracles
2019: Chester Cup – Making Miracles
2019: Sweet Solera Stakes – West End Girl
2019: Sweet Solera Stakes – West End Girl
2019: Washington Singer Stakes – Thunderous
2019: Washington Singer Stakes – Thunderous
2019: March Stakes – Sir Ron Priestley
2019: March Stakes – Sir Ron Priestley
2019: bet365 Handicap – Sir Ron Priestley
2019: bet365 Handicap – Sir Ron Priestley
2021: Pontefract Castle Fillies’ Stakes – Bayshore Freeway
2021: Pontefract Castle Fillies’ Stakes – Bayshore Freeway
2020: Musidora Stakes – Rose Of Kildare
2020: Musidora Stakes – Rose Of Kildare
2020: Dante Stakes – Thunderous
2020: Dante Stakes – Thunderous
2021: Further Flight Stakes – Sir Ron Priestley
2021: Further Flight Stakes – Sir Ron Priestley
2021: Jockey Club Stakes – Sir Ron Priestley
2021: Jockey Club Stakes – Sir Ron Priestley
2021: Cheshire Oaks – Dubai Fountain
2021: Cheshire Oaks – Dubai Fountain
2021: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Sir Ron Priestley
2021: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Sir Ron Priestley
2022: Guisborough Stakes – I’m A Gambler
2022: Guisborough Stakes – I’m A Gambler
In Ireland
In Ireland
2000: Irish Cambridgeshire – Silverware
2000: Irish Cambridgeshire – Silverware
In Germany
In Germany
2007: Badener Mile – Banknote
2007: Badener Mile – Banknote
2017: Grosser Preis des Gestut Haus Zoppenbroich – Peach Melba
2017: Grosser Preis des Gestut Haus Zoppenbroich – Peach Melba
2020: Oettingen-Rennen – Dark Vision
2020: Oettingen-Rennen – Dark Vision
2020: Preis des Winterfavoriten – Best Of Lips
2020: Preis des Winterfavoriten – Best Of Lips
Based on information supplied by John Randall
Based on information supplied by John Randall
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