Tears as legendary jockey famed for Cheltenham Festival wins breaks down on camera after selling beloved horse

2 months ago 23

A LEGENDARY jockey famed for his Cheltenham Festival heroics wiped tears from his eyes after selling his beloved horse for £630,000.

Robert ‘Choc’ Thornton was prolific at racing’s greatest meeting during the mid-Noughties, where 12 of his 15 Festival wins came.

a jockey wearing a pink helmet is riding a horse

Robert Thornton was prolific at Cheltenham Festival notching 15 wins in all – but his latest role in racing has given him his greatest sense of achievement[/caption]

a man in a tattersalls jacket is being interviewed

An Arkle and Champion Chase in successive years on Voy Por Ustedes were the highlight of a career that saw him win millions in the saddle before retiring ten years ago.

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Since then Thornton has gone into the bloodstock game with the hope of striking it big.

And he did just that yesterday at the Tattersalls Book 2 sales at racing HQ Newmarket.

Thornton could hardly get his words out when speaking on camera after selling his filly by Too Darn Hot to a partnerships of Amo Racing and Al Shaqab.

Wiping a tear from his eye and turning away from camera, he struggled to compose himself when describing just what the sale meant.

The filly was bred and sold by Paul Dunkley’s Apple Tree Stud, the Gloucestershire farm Thornton runs and owns.

With his voice cracking, Thorton said: “The horse has been perfect all the way through and thrived here, never turned a hair. She always puts on a superb show.

“I thought she’d always make £150,000, maybe £200,000 on a good day – but that’s shocking.

“It’s a huge boost and makes it all worthwhile and give Paul confidence, he’s probably not got as much back as what he’s put in.”

Turning away from camera to try to compose himself before returning, Thornton added: “I’m a mess, I’m sorry.

“I’ve never felt anything like that. I’ve never cried on the back of a racehorse, put it that way.

“Sorry for being pathetic!”

Thornton later reposted the video with the message: “Pull yourself together you big hairy mess. Thank you @amoracingltd and @AlShaqabRacing and everyone who supported AppleTree’s filly for a day we will never forget.”

The sales have been dominated by the mega-spending of football superagent Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing.

The man who sealed the deals for the likes of Carlos Tevez and Willian splashed more than £20million on some of the top equine talent around – including a European record £4.5m on a yearling colt.