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Franny Norton: it's fantastic to finally win the biggest race at my track

Miracles do happen: Franny Norton ends long search for Chester Cup win on Making Miracles
Franny Norton: it won't be long now until the King of Chester is back riding at his happiest hunting groundCredit: Edward Whitaker

Franny Norton reflects on a magnificent first Chester Cup success aboard Making Miracles


I was thinking all week that I'd never won the Chester Cup. It's my track, I've had a lot of support and to finally win the biggest race here is fantastic.

Once I got across from my wide draw, I thought I'd steady things down and go at my pace. He [Making Miracles] was just lobbing along and when Ryan [Moore] came to me on Low Sun three and half furlongs out I knew I had a lot of horse under me. Every time I got on a bit of fresh ground, he was a different horse altogether. He won easily and had plenty of energy at the finish.

Joy for Franny Norton as he lands the Chester Cup on Making Miracles
Norton: 'The Chester Cup has always been a race I wanted to win and I'm going to enjoy it.'Credit: Edward Whitaker

I'm 48 and still fighting strong. I had my best season last season with 112 winners and this has been a good day. It's always been a race I wanted to win and I'm going to enjoy it.

I've been with Mark Johnston for a few years now and he's really helped my career. I've just been lucky – without him it could have been a different story – and thankfully I've been able to give him a little bit back.

I've had a few close calls in this race, none more so than in 2000. I got beat a short head on Ansar, a good horse of Dermot Weld's, after just losing out to Bangalore. I should have won that year but I've never ridden one as easy as that today.

It's been a massive week, with my team Liverpool coming back against Barcelona on Tuesday night. For them to do what they did is almost as good as me winning the Chester Cup.


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