Veteran rider Franny Norton, who announced his retirement earlier this week, rode a trio of winners at Chester to end his career on a high.
Norton enjoyed seven rides on Saturday, prevailing with 1-3 favourite Raneenn (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in the EBF “Confined” Fillies' Novice Stakes for trainer William Haggas and owner Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum in the day's third race.
Haggas said, “It was lovely to give him a winner on his last day. He rode the most brilliant race for us a few years ago (2017) on a horse called Fastnet Tempest (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) at Chester, when he came from last to first in a big-field handicap. I'm delighted for him that he's ridden a winner on his last day, he deserves it.”
In the day's sixth race, Norton was back in the winner's enclosure with Small Fry (Ire) (Harzand {Ire}), the crowd's pick at 11-10, who captured the Camden Hells Handicap for Small Fry Partners and trainers Gary and Josh Moore.
Prior to riding Small Fry to victory Norton, also a talented boxer, told Chester Races, “It was like going for a fight. I lost a couple of rounds and I'm coming back now. I'm just going to the enjoy the moment.”
Fittingly, Norton was aboard the Charlie Johnston-trained Qitaal (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), also the pick of the race a 2-1 in the nightcap, to win the Abacus Securities Farewell To Franny Norton Handicap by eight lengths. Norton spent a large portion of his time in the saddle riding for Charlie's father Mark and has continued his association with the younger Johnston.
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