ANDREW THORNTON SET TO RETIRE AT UTTOXETER RACECOURSE THIS WEDNESDAY
Jockey, Andrew Thornton has revealed that Wednesday 6 June will be his last time on the saddle at Uttoxeter Racecourse. The jockey will have four rides in total on Wednesday including three horses for trainer Seamus Mullins and another for Caroline Bailey both whom have had a long partnership over the years.
Over his career Andrew has gone to win 1,006 winners including the 1998 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Cool Dawn and a King George VI Chase on See More Business. He has now chosen Uttoxeter Racecourse for his last professional ride before stepping up his media career. The day is set to be a great celebration with his wife Yvonne and young son Harry as well as his mother and father and many of the friends he has made over his career in racing.
As part of the celebrations, Uttoxeter Racecourse have named a race ‘The Andrew Thornton Congratulations on your retirement handicap hurdle race’ which will take place at 2.10pm. Other celebrations will also take place after Andrew’s last ride.
Executive Director of Uttoxeter Racecourse, David MacDonald said “Uttoxeter has had a special relationship with Andrew for a number of years. He has worked with our team behind the scenes doing tipster sessions and hosting hospitality and I have made no secret of the fact that he is one of my favourite jockeys.
“He has been such a pleasure to work with as he is just a lovely humble man. Yesterday I watched his Gold Cup victory on Cool Dawn once again and I am still amazed that he managed to cling on. Everyone at Uttoxeter wishes him a very happy retirement and we all have our fingers crossed that he can find a winner on Wednesday.”
However, the spotlight over Andrew will not end as he continues with his second career in the media and will return to Uttoxeter on Thursday 14 June for Ladies Night as raceday presenter.
