Wonderful memories of a fantastic horseman. His ability to present a horse at a fence was unmatched IMHO and his super cool, ultra patient technique, meant he rode so many winners because of it. He was also a very grounded, humble guy to boot. Thanks so much for posting.👍👍👍
I was a few years too young to see him ride live, but based on just the replays I've seen over the years, I can't think of another jockey who had his style and confidence in his rides to deliver them so cheekily late and so smoothly. All this and from watching him for years on CH4 Racing, seems very genuine and humorous. Still remember when he ran over to Big Mac so he could push his ice cream into his nose. Hilarious. Wonder how many jockeys try to mirror his riding style? Just a likeable person.
That Sandown race with sea pigeon and Celtic ryde .. thanks SO much for that , both were favs of mine and Francome had won on both , Celtic Ryde I feel never quite got to reach his potential as he was killed on track after a bad fall .. 🥲 Never seen this since I watched it live .. thanks for that 👌 👍🏴
@@HorseRacingLegends uh huh .. plus he had a mind of his own , if memory serves , he was the one that if you used the whip he’d flash his tail and pull himself up and he def thought he’d done enough if he got to the front 🙄 👍🏴
Terrific jockey and an intriguing character… In my opinion, and with respect to today’s top NH jocks, few, if any would stand comparison with Francombe’s era or the generation that followed with McCoy, Walsh, Fitzgerald etc.
It was more a passing comment on today's NH jockeys not being as consistent in the saddle as those who went before them... Fewer still are as recognisable to a wider audience.
@@robertdelacy3434 He was, but it was a different era back then with less racing and so his record and statistics will not match the other top jockeys who came after him.
I read the book Dessie’s owner wrote about the horse and one of the quotes David Elsworth said was that he was angry at Colin Brown in the King George because everyone in the stable knew Combs ditch “ wouldn’t overtake a parked car if it was on his left “.. 😆 I backed Wayward Lad that day and was CERTAIN Combs Ditch would win on the run in … but Colin Brown challenged on his wrong side as it turned out 😝 👍🏴
He was a great rider but a terrible tipster on channel 4 racing. As where most of the presenters on that show. In fact if it wasn't for big Mac not many people would have watched the show at all
When he first came on tv he was indeed a breath of fresh air but in his later years he was an awful tipster , a terrible misogynist and his juvenile nicknames for his colleagues and his insistence on repeating them was insulting . His protege Tanya Stephenson outshine him in terms of tipping and being switched on betting wise . Sorry to disagree lads but I thought he was a “ walloper “… 🤷♂️ 👍🏴
Wonderful memories of a fantastic horseman. His ability to present a horse at a fence was unmatched IMHO and his super cool, ultra patient technique, meant he rode so many winners because of it. He was also a very grounded, humble guy to boot. Thanks so much for posting.👍👍👍
Yes agree with all of that and thank you so much.
Agree. Fantastic horseman.
The greatest jockey.
John still rides work over at Clive Coxs yard which he owns. He still retains his wonderful sense of humor and of course his riding prowess.
Yes he’s super fit.
"Greatest jockey"
Agreed
The one thing McCririck got right !
What a horseman, unmatched imo.
Agreed
I was a few years too young to see him ride live, but based on just the replays I've seen over the years, I can't think of another jockey who had his style and confidence in his rides to deliver them so cheekily late and so smoothly. All this and from watching him for years on CH4 Racing, seems very genuine and humorous. Still remember when he ran over to Big Mac so he could push his ice cream into his nose. Hilarious. Wonder how many jockeys try to mirror his riding style? Just a likeable person.
Yes Richard Durwoody came close
Ron Bsrry was great, Stan Mellor and Fred Winter were better
@@stephenholmes1036 Good argument for that
People dont realise John was a very gd showjumper before he was a jockey. Racing misses him on our screens. Talks sense
Yes a proper Horseman.
The Dikler with my favourite jockey Big Ron Barry
what became of him?
That Sandown race with sea pigeon and Celtic ryde .. thanks SO much for that , both were favs of mine and Francome had won on both , Celtic Ryde I feel never quite got to reach his potential as he was killed on track after a bad fall .. 🥲
Never seen this since I watched it live .. thanks for that 👌
👍🏴
No bother Jay.I taped than on Philips N1700 Video tape and got them Digitised.
@@HorseRacingLegends what a guy ! Bet you never thought how happy you’d make perfect strangers feel . Appreciated btw 👌
👍🏴
@@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering It’s a pleasure Jay.Ive got some more rare Sea Pigeon Footage coming up.
The greatest jockey .
Definitely
The dikler vs bula great memories
Yes he beat him easy
Little Bay 😅- the biggest rogue since Capt Blackbeard .. 😀.. on his day though , thoroughly top class
👍🏴
Yes I think he unshipped Jonjo once.
@@HorseRacingLegends uh huh .. plus he had a mind of his own , if memory serves , he was the one that if you used the whip he’d flash his tail and pull himself up and he def thought he’d done enough if he got to the front 🙄
👍🏴
@@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering Yes he was some Boy he was.
His autobiography born lucky is a brilliant read
Yes I’ve read it too
Great Jockey. Great Man.
Agreed
Terrific jockey and an intriguing character… In my opinion, and with respect to today’s top NH jocks, few, if any would stand comparison with Francombe’s era or the generation that followed with McCoy, Walsh, Fitzgerald etc.
Yes he was different Class.
He wasn't as good as McCoy or walsh
Better..def
It was more a passing comment on today's NH jockeys not being as consistent in the saddle as those who went before them... Fewer still are as recognisable to a wider audience.
@@robertdelacy3434 He was, but it was a different era back then with less racing and so his record and statistics will not match the other top jockeys who came after him.
I read the book Dessie’s owner wrote about the horse and one of the quotes David Elsworth said was that he was angry at Colin Brown in the King George because everyone in the stable knew Combs ditch “ wouldn’t overtake a parked car if it was on his left “.. 😆
I backed Wayward Lad that day and was CERTAIN Combs Ditch would win on the run in … but Colin Brown challenged on his wrong side as it turned out 😝
👍🏴
Yes he was a right rogue
The goat
Agreed
RIP "Doug Barrott"
RIP
He was a great rider but a terrible tipster on channel 4 racing. As where most of the presenters on that show. In fact if it wasn't for big Mac not many people would have watched the show at all
Yes Big Mac was brilliant
When he first came on tv he was indeed a breath of fresh air but in his later years he was an awful tipster , a terrible misogynist and his juvenile nicknames for his colleagues and his insistence on repeating them was insulting . His protege Tanya Stephenson outshine him in terms of tipping and being switched on betting wise . Sorry to disagree lads but I thought he was a “ walloper “… 🤷♂️
👍🏴
@@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering You’re not a Yes Man Jay.Kudos.
@@HorseRacingLegends 😆 I’m taking that as a compliment btw ✊.. cheers 🍻
👍🏴
@@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering 100 pc