‘Hugely underrated’ rider signs off at Chester on Saturday.
One of the most consistent and accomplished jockeys in horse racing heads out this Saturday at Chester, riding his last pair of mounts. Trailing the reins back to Middleham will be none other than Britain's and the world's greatest former trainer, Mark Johnston, who offers these lines as a testament of deep appreciation to Franny Norton—a beacon for all with his steady hand and altogether unruffled professionalism. As the relationship crosses over ten years and comes to an end, Johnston feels sad but also respectful of the leaving of the saddle by Norton.
Their association was much more than the winning's enclosure of Chester, where Norton was the crowd's darling. From Dante winners to group races, Norton became a part of the Johnston crew; the relationship was built upon trust and loyalty, with absolutely no remorse for failure. Norton proved himself time after time to become the go-to man at Chester and beyond," Johnston said. As the racing world prepares to pay its respects to Norton in the Abacus Securities Farewell To Franny Norton Handicap, Johnston talked about how much sport was going to miss him.
Johnston can never forget how super Norton was at some of the most defining moments in their partnership. One notable memory was their win in the Dante Stakes, but three years later it was Thunderous who secured the honours of that same race. Norton had a powerful association with Sir Ron Priestley, whom he again piloted to second place in the St. Leger before this horse struck at the Jockey Club Stakes and then the Princess of Wales's Stakes. Yet, despite these triumphs, Norton never did manage to achieve the Group One victory that both Johnston said he desired and Norton himself said he regretted missing.
The personal nature of the relationship between the two men also came through in Johnston's reminiscence. "Franny was always very faithful to us," Johnston said. "He'd decline a handful of rides elsewhere to take just one for us, and we repaid that loyalty," he said. "It was a relationship of respect, of mutual trust, and that's not something you often find in an industry. Considering the unrelenting loyalty of Norton, Johnston stated, more than a jockey, he was stitched into the entire team, someone they could count on no matter what the stakes were.
Johnston noted that what separated Norton from the rest was not just their skill as a rider but the attitude that made his situation unique. Being a professional jockey is brutal work, with rides lost and opportunities slipping through one's fingers; still, he never allowed disappointment to creep in and level out his drive. "He never complained, never got upset," Johnston said. "When he lost the ride on Permian after the Dante, his only response was, 'If you told me a year ago I'd win the Dante, I'd be over the moon.' That's the kind of person Franny is—grateful, humble, and resilient.".
Johnston believes that the legacy of Norton lives on in racing, both for what he achieved on the track and what he had done off it. Norton's passion to help and guide younger kids, especially those from his hometown of Liverpool, has shown the other side of this individual that goes further than the World of Racing can provide. "He's got a real desire to give back, and I am confident that the industry could have a positive impact from someone like him in any future role," Johnston said, further underscoring the truth that Norton's service to the sport could continue in new and meaningful ways.
Johnston Norton's retirement is bittersweet. He knows racing will lose a true pro, someone who consistently outperformed expectations, but he also feels pride and fulfilment in having been part of a partnership that elevated both careers. When Norton rides there for the last time at Chester, the world of racing will no doubt be forced to pause in reflection on a career marked by grace, determination, and a love for the sport that will never fade.
