Andrew Thornton

. Andrew is one of the very few National Hunt jockeys who wears contact lenses while riding and it is for this reason that he has ascertained the nicknames "Lensio" and "Blindman" [http://sport.guardian.co.uk/smalltalk/story/0,,2265432,00.html] . He is married to Claire.

Despite having to endure many setbacks and injuries throughout his career, Andrew is now widely regarded 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 criticise Andrew's riding style. However, it is quite effective in most expert's opinions. Because he is taller than the average jump jockey, he is forced to ride very low in the stirrups. It's not always attractive to look at but it rarely fails to get the job done. Its benefits are also highlighted by the record Andrew has in staying Handicap Chases and staying Handicap Hurdles. Along with Tony McCoy, he is probably the strongest jump jockey in a finish. 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.

Andrew has rode 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. She won two Grade 1s and only just failed to win the Champion Hurdle in 1999 having encountered one of the greatest horses ever Istabraq. Her death in a schooling accident in the Winter of 1999 was a major dissappointment to Andrew. He has plenty of big race rides to look forward to for the new jumps season including Miko De Beauchene (who has been mentioned as a likely candidate to overturn Denman and Kauto Star in next season's Gold Cup), Grand National fancy Simon, Miss Mitch, Arnold Layne and Honour High.

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

Cheltenham Festival winners

*1996 William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase - Maamur
*1998 Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle - French Holly
*1998 Cheltenham Gold Cup - Cool Dawn

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

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 Cognac 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

ee also

*List of jockeys

References

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/3224403.stm BBC profile]
* [http://www.andrewthornton.net/ Andrew Thornton official website]