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Was reading what's on the RP homepage about the time when Francome explained to Derek Thompson how he lost weight after having Christmas lunch 
Anyway, I noticed this followed on from that Youtube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-X3Hg10bKk&feature=emb_rel_end
During John Francome's final season in 1985, a film was made of his daily routine, schooling, booking rides and travelling to the races with candid opinions from the late great Fred Winter, this is a fascinating and insightful portrait of the life of 'The Greatest Jockey' as John McCririck dubbed him and in many ways he was. At the time of his retirement he had shattered existing records for a leading NH rider
Watch a worth imo if you like to reminisce, lots of old footage, and interviews from the time, with his parents, and the likes of Bob Champion and Jenny Pitman.
Towards the end it touches on the John Banks controversy, and lists quite a few offences during his career for failing to obtain the best position, though Francome argued that was down to his quiet riding style!
Anyway, I noticed this followed on from that Youtube link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-X3Hg10bKk&feature=emb_rel_end
During John Francome's final season in 1985, a film was made of his daily routine, schooling, booking rides and travelling to the races with candid opinions from the late great Fred Winter, this is a fascinating and insightful portrait of the life of 'The Greatest Jockey' as John McCririck dubbed him and in many ways he was. At the time of his retirement he had shattered existing records for a leading NH rider
Watch a worth imo if you like to reminisce, lots of old footage, and interviews from the time, with his parents, and the likes of Bob Champion and Jenny Pitman.
Towards the end it touches on the John Banks controversy, and lists quite a few offences during his career for failing to obtain the best position, though Francome argued that was down to his quiet riding style!
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Rodrigodetriano keeps putting good stuff up, it was he that put up the Phil Bull documentary. I've only just noticed another short classic watch, namely Ryan Price appraising his string for a forthcoming season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUKVIadjPhM&ab_channel=roderigodetriano There was another charming Francome insight done by Hugh McIlvanney for BBC racing back in the late 70s, but that seems to have been removed now. |
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There's no doubting his ability as a horseman and a top jockey and he does great work with the IJF but he leaves much to be desired in many other respects.
Famously stated not that long ago that he only goes racing if he's paid to do so. The guy is extremely wealthy but is still motivated by money to an extent that's not healthy in a man of his age. |
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Top Man ,lets all Clive cox's lads use his Tennis Court and Swimming Pool.
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Andriy,
Here's the Francome profile by McIlvanney, that was broadcast during the Cheltenham meeting, the day after Francome retired. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uZcwh16wOOrL-yNgeIccTi3hjCvJFtX-/view?usp=sharing |
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I think The Anorak has the McIlvanney piece saved. He put up a link to it on a Google drive some time ago. It includes the clip where Francome is weighing out for his first ride on Multigrey. The Clerk asks 'How many winners have you ridden?' - presumably to check that he's claiming the right amount. 'None sir' comes the answer.
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Ha! - took me a while to post that!
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ged - I was expecting you posting a typical Francome confident quip reply of ...
The Clerk asks 'How many winners have you ridden?' - Francome: --- One - in about 5 minutes time.  |
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Cash Is King , I doubt a retired office worker would wander round offices for fun.
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lucky enough to be old so saw him ride on a regular basis . teamed up with wayward lad was a particulary fitting memory . classy , athletic , great jumper of a fence . both of them .
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Unless my memory is failing , I recall him getting the ride on Bula in a chase on the tele ,not sure how old he was then.
Remember wondering if he was any good , and why the stable jockey wasn't up .....won easily as I recall. Always been the best jump jockey in my lifetime in my mind. |
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I can answer that - sixwotsix -
There was an hour long interview/feature by Mike Cattermole with Richard Pitman on ATR/SKY Racing a few weeks ago - It was very good and really did enhance my opinion of Richard Pitman. Richard Pitman was talking about his time with Fred Winter - when 'the boy' Francome was an up-and-coming number 2. Pitman had been riding all the top horses and promising Novices as Stable Jockey - However, at the same time, the BBC approached Pitman to go and work for them on Television - which, of course, would really mean retiring from riding. Richard Pitman assumed that he would still be number One the next season with Fred Winter, and continuing to ride the likes of Bula ..... But Fred had spotted the immense potential in Francome, and said to Richard Pitman that - 'Francome will be riding all the Novice Chasers next year' (including first-season Chasing Bula) Richard said that practically made his mind up for him there and then - and he decided to take the Television job - whilst not leaving Winter's acrimoniously, or in a huff - As he was well aware that when Fred Winter had made HIS mind up - nothing would change it. |
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Top stuff Onloooker , thanks.
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Actually, Pitman rode Bula to his first four wins over fences in season 1973/74. Francome took over at Newbury in March 1974, after Bula had fallen with Pitman at Sandown. Bula won the Geoffrey Gildey at Newbury under top weight by six lengths.
Like many of us of that age, Pitman seems to have got his dates mixed up, as his first TV appearance, according to his biograhpy, was at the 1974 Whitbread meeting, when he was out injured. |
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Thanks for posting George B. I enjoyed that.
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How good was Bula ? I never saw him run.
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Who rode my beloved Bula, when as a schoolboy, remember Captain Christy beating him out of sight in either the 1974 or 75 King George?
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Saw Bula win his debut at Lingfield ridden by Stan Mellor. 5-1 sticks in my mind.
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How good was Bula ?
He hooked me on this sport in 1971 as a wee nipper. Still makes med sad that a bog on Gold Cup day 1975 stopped him becoming the first horse to win the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup. |
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Didn't Paul Kellaway ride Bula in quite a few races , only going on memory mind.
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Paul Kelleway was Bula's regular jockey over hurdles. He'd been meant to ride him on his debut (7/1), but had taken a fall in the previous race when his mount slipped up, and Stan Mellor stood in. Bula won his first 3 races in a span of 17 days.
Francome rode him in the 1975 KG - they were beaten 30 lengths into 2nd behind Captain Christy. They went off 11/10 jt favs. Captain Christy made all and was ridden by Gerry Newman, who at the time was entitled to claim 5, but couldn't claim. |
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Thanks Ged
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Is that **** cricket comment video about Derek Thompson still online anywhere? Would like to watch again.
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David Elsworth rode the 3rd in Bula's debut.
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Thanks ged. Broke my heart that day but the Captain was a great horse, so no disgrace. It was his day
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The Francome video def worth a watch thanks. Also watched an interview from last years lockdown. He comes across well as always.
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