Andrew Thornton
Andrew Thornton is a National Hunt jockey.
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[edit] Early life
He was born on October 28, 1972 in Cleveland and schooled at Barnard Castle School in County Durham. He is not related to another of England's greatest jockeys, Robert Thornton.
[edit] Riding career
He rides mainly for Caroline Bailey,Seamus Mullins,Henrietta Knight,Ben Pollock and Richard Rowe.as well as for many other trainers. Thornton is one of the very few National Hunt jockeys who wears contact lenses while riding and it is for this reason that he has acquired the nicknames "Lensio" and "Blindman" [1]. He is married to Claire.
Despite having to endure many setbacks and injuries throughout his career, Thornton is now widely regarded[by whom?] as one of the best jumps jockeys around. He is also very highly respected among his weighing room colleagues. His opinion on horse racing is also well sought after by members of the Racing Post, Racing UK and At The Races.
Many[who?] criticise Thornton's riding style. However, it is quite effective in most experts' opinions. Because he is taller than the average jump jockey, he is forced to ride very low in the stirrups. It is not always attractive to look at but it rarely fails to get the job done.[citation needed] Its benefits are also highlighted by the record Thornton has in staying Handicap Chases and staying Handicap Hurdles. Along with Tony McCoy, he is probably the strongest jump jockey in a finish.[citation needed] He can push along from a mile out and galvanise the horse. His strength has been seen in many exciting finishes when he looked beaten turning for home.
[edit] Notable horses
Thornton has ridden many great horses including Cool Dawn, Gingembre and See More Business to victory in many a big race. However the best he has ridden and his favourite has to be 8-time winner French Holly.[citation needed] He won two Grade 1s and only just failed to win the Champion Hurdle in 1999 having encountered one of the greatest horses ever, Istabraq. His death in a schooling accident in the Winter of 1999 was a major disappointment to Thornton. He has plenty to look forward to, riding such horses as Caroline Bailey's stable star Doctor David.
[edit] Achievements and Awards
- 1996 Lester Award for special recognition
- 1997 Lester Award for special recognition
- 2003 Lester Award for jump ride of the year aboard Kingscliff
- 2007 Lester Award for jump ride of the year aboard Miko De beauchene
He has ridden major winners for Robert Alner, Seamus Mullins, Evan Williams, Ian Williams, Jamie Poulton, Paul Nicholls, Mary Reveley, John Spearing, Lavina Taylor, Ferdy Murphy and TA Forster.
[edit] Cheltenham Festival winners
- 1996 William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase - Maamur
- 1998 Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle - French Holly
- 1998 Cheltenham Gold Cup - Cool Dawn
[edit] Grade 1 winners
- 1997 King George VI Chase - See More Business
- 1998 Tolworth Hurdle - French Holly
- 1998 Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle - French Holly
- 1998 Cheltenham Gold Cup - Cool Dawn
- 1998 Christmas Hurdle - French Holly
- 2003 Finale Juvenile Hurdle - Sunray
[edit] Other notable winners
- 1998 Rendlesham Hurdle - Buckhouse Boy
- 1998 Racing Post Chase - Super Tactics
- 2000 National Spirit Hurdle - Male-Ana-Moo
- 2001 Rendlesham Hurdle - Merry Masquerade
- 2001 Scottish Grand National - Gingembre
- 2002 Hennessy Gold Cup - Gingembre
- 2005 Reynoldstown Novices' Chase - Distant Thunder
- 2006 Cotswold Chase - See You Sometime
- 2007 Racing Post Chase - Simon
- 2007 Welsh National - Miko De Beauchene
- 2008 Red Square Vodka Gold Cup - Miko De Beauchene
