Robert Thornton

Who is Robert Thornton?

Robert "Choc" Thornton is an English National Hunt jockey currently employed as stable jockey to Alan King.

Robert "Chocolate" Thornton is one of the United Kingdom's leading National Hunt jockeys. After growing up riding hunters with his father he started working for master trainer David Nicholson. He started riding for 'the Duke' as an amateur and after immediate success became an apprentice riding 7 1 winners during his first season in the sport. Having started as an amateur attached to David Nicholson's yard at Jackdaws Castle, near Stow-on-the Wold, in 1997, he won the Conditional Jockey's title the following year.

Since making his professional debut, Thornton’s performance has been consistent, if unspectacular, and he has consistently featured in the top 10 of the British Jumps Jockey Championship. Thornton’s most successful season to date was the 2007/2008-season, during which he broke the 100-winner barrier for the first time, by winning 105 of his 597 races. Robert Thornton shies away from the spotlight most notably and correctly he will not talk to the television cameras until he has spoken to his owners and trainer.