Tim Norman
Tim Norman was born on March 21, 1944, in the Devon village of Dawlish where his parents farmed. Aged eight, he rode in the show ring.
Tim Norman was born on March 21, 1944, in the Devon village of Dawlish where his parents farmed. Aged eight, he rode in the show ring.
At 16, he began to ride out each morning for Lambourn trainer G. Spann.
At 16, he began to ride out each morning for Lambourn trainer G. Spann.
Tim rode his first winner, June Mary, at Fontwell on March 28 1960 and, after he had ridden nine winners, turned professional in 1962.
Tim rode his first winner, June Mary, at Fontwell on March 28 1960 and, after he had ridden nine winners, turned professional in 1962.
Tim won twenty races in the 1964-65 season, and the same number the season before.
Tim won twenty races in the 1964-65 season, and the same number the season before.
On Thursday March 24, 1966, Tim was travelling in the car of his friend and fellow jockey Jeff King on the road from Liverpool to Southport.
On Thursday March 24, 1966, Tim was travelling in the car of his friend and fellow jockey Jeff King on the road from Liverpool to Southport.
'I was sitting in the back seat' said Tim, 'when suddenly there was this enormous crash. The car turned over, the roof caved in and we hit a telegraph pole. I climbed out the back window with cuts all the way down the left side of my face, and mild concussion.'
'I was sitting in the back seat' said Tim, 'when suddenly there was this enormous crash. The car turned over, the roof caved in and we hit a telegraph pole. I climbed out the back window with cuts all the way down the left side of my face, and mild concussion.'
Less than 48 hours later, he was being legged-up on Grand National outsider Anglo by trainer Fred Winter. Stable jockey Eddie Harty had been injured and Tim had come in for the ride of a lifetime.
Less than 48 hours later, he was being legged-up on Grand National outsider Anglo by trainer Fred Winter. Stable jockey Eddie Harty had been injured and Tim had come in for the ride of a lifetime.
Tim said after the race: 'He never gave me a moment's worry. A trifle lazy and outpaced during the early stages, he jumped superbly throughout. I knew when I was tracking Freddie at the Canal Turn for the last time that I would win. I must have had luck on my side - to win the Grand National at your first attempt is like a dream come true.'
Tim said after the race: 'He never gave me a moment's worry. A trifle lazy and outpaced during the early stages, he jumped superbly throughout. I knew when I was tracking Freddie at the Canal Turn for the last time that I would win. I must have had luck on my side - to win the Grand National at your first attempt is like a dream come true.'
Tim was wrong about Anglo being lazy - after the horse was put down it was discovered that he had a ruptured heart. The surprise was that he had been able to race at all, let alone win a National!
Tim was wrong about Anglo being lazy - after the horse was put down it was discovered that he had a ruptured heart. The surprise was that he had been able to race at all, let alone win a National!
Tim, once retired from racing, set up a building business in Wiltshire.
Tim, once retired from racing, set up a building business in Wiltshire.
Tim Norman died in September 2023, aged 79.
Tim Norman died in September 2023, aged 79.
Tim Norman
Tim Norman
Grand National winner: Anglo (1966)
Grand National winner: Anglo (1966)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1964: George Duller Handicap Hurdle – Do Or Die
1964: George Duller Handicap Hurdle – Do Or Die
1966: Welsh Grand National – Kilburn
1966: Welsh Grand National – Kilburn
1973: Black & White Whisky Handicap Hurdle – Greater
1973: Black & White Whisky Handicap Hurdle – Greater
