CHOC FACT FILE
		Photographed at Stratford 12 July 2009
Full Name:	Robert Alan Thornton
Date of Birth:	14 July 1978
Height:	5 foot 7 inches (confirmed by the man himself)
Colour of Eyes:	Blue/Grey
Minimum Riding Weight:	10 stone
Colour of Hair:	Blonde, blonde, blonde, blonde, blonde, blonde, blonde ... as if I need to tell you!
Marital Status:	Choc married long-term partner, Meally Greenwood on 8 August 2009. They separated during the summer of 2011.
Children:	William Robert born at 6.04 p.m. on Thursday 30 December 2010, weighing in at 6lb 13oz. Meally and Choc choose to call their son William as it was Meally’s grandfather’s name.
Place of Birth:	Darlington. Choc’s father, Martin, is a retired professional huntsman and was based with the Zetland Hunt at the time of Choc’s birth (hence Choc’s birthplace). Choc moved from Darlington to Stratton Audley in Oxfordshire (Bicester Hunt) at the age of 11 before moving to Knipton in Leicestershire (Belvoir Hunt) 3 years later. Choc is currently based in the Cotswolds (lucky guy).
Learnt to Ride:	At the age of 8, so that he could go hunting with his parents. Choc had to beg to be given his first pony, Prince, as his older brother (Richard) had been put on ponies as soon as he could walk and had become frightened by them. His parents didn’t want to make the same mistake twice.
Most Admired Jockey:	Adrian Maguire
Favourite Racecourse:	Cheltenham (superseding Newbury).
Favourite Colour:	Black – although he believes it may be unlucky
Favourite Number:	1
Favourite Sports:	Boxing, darts, cricket
Favourite Football Team:	Liverpool
Favourite Film:	Saving Private Ryan; and I believe Meally has mentioned that he dislikes horror films
Favourite Music:	Kasabian; Oasis; Nirvana. Choc likes to listen to Radio 5 Live Sport on the way to the races.
Favourite Holiday Destination:	The South of France – Choc is happy to relax on a beach. His favourite activity holiday is skiing.
Dislikes:	Carrots; Bad driving on the motorway
Ambitions:	To be Champion Jockey ... although he realises that would probably be impossible (especially with AP McCoy on the scene). He would like to win at least one of the big three races – The Grand National, the Cheltenham Gold Cup or King George VI Chase. And, of these three races, his preference would be to win the Grand National.
Recent Injuries:	Choc was kicked in the mouth when Minella Four Star fell at Newbury on 16 December 2009. Choc lost two teeth and needed 15 stitches in his lower lip. I have seen a photograph of his injury pre-repair and, take it from me, the doctors did an excellent job! Choc suffered 3 fractured vertebrae when kicked in the back during a fall from Cracboumwiz at Leicester on 26 January 2010. Choc missed 5 months when severing three ligaments in his right knee at Newton Abbot on 05 July 2010. Hell’s Bay, trained by Paul Nicholls at the time, ran out through the wing of the second last fence, resulting in this injury. Choc suffered a broken upper right arm during a fall from Western Whisky at Hereford on 11 December 2011.