The Queen of Fort Erie

Francine Villeneuve, the only child of Ron and Eleanor (née Broderick) Villeneuve, grew up on a farm surrounded by horses in Winchester Springs, Ontario. She attended North Dundas District High School in Chesterville. 

Journey of a Jockey

In 1984, while studying equine science at Humber College, she took a summer job as a hot walker at Woodbine Racetrack. By 1987, she had become a licensed racing jockey. Known as "The Queen of Fort Erie" for her long-standing connection with the border racetrack, Francine achieved a remarkable career with 1,001 wins and 3,065 top-three finishes. She retired in April 2012 as the female jockey with most winnings. 

Francine's career wasn't without its challenges. During an incident at her barn on the Woodbine backstretch, she was inspecting a filly's hind hoof when the horse knocked her over and stood on her thigh, severing an artery. She was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery and later required a skin graft, sidelining her for a while.

On October 31, 2011, Francine Villeneuve achieved her 1,000th career win by riding Red Hot Doll to victory in the $30,000 Fan's Cup at Fort Erie Race Track. When she retired, she was the leading Canadian female jockey in wins, places, and shows, and second only to Sealock in total starts. She was inducted into the Fort Erie Sports Wall of Fame in June 2012.

Villeneuve owns a horse farm in central Florida, where she has trained, bred, and shown rare Akhal-Tekes. Due to her association with this breed, she received the rare honour of being invited to race at the International Akhal-Teke Association meeting in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, in late April 2012, where she was the sole female jockey. She has long supported the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. In August 2012, it was announced that she would be awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in November.

After galloping horses for Nick Zito at Saratoga in the summer of 2012 and at Tampa Bay Downs during the subsequent winter season, Villeneuve earned her trainer's license. She now divides her time between the Thoroughbred racing seasons in Florida and Canada. In 2016, she and fellow jockey-turned-trainer Amanda Roxborough co-founded the Sport of Queens Racing Club, a racing syndicate enabling people to own shares in Thoroughbred racehorses for as little as $200, plus fees.

Tough Times

In 2022, Francine was diagnosed with cancer, adding to her health struggles. This winter, she faced another setback when John Scott, one of her top owners, passed away in February.

"It's been tough dealing with so many hardships," she said. "Navigating through it all has been challenging."

The Ottawa-born horsewoman began her career in 1984 as a hot walker at Woodbine and rode her first Thoroughbred in 1987. Recently, she made the difficult decision to send her small but talented group of horses to other trainers.

"It was one of the hardest decisions I've had to make," she admitted. "I couldn't find anyone who could do things the way I wanted. I'm selling most of my equipment and had to disperse my horses. They were probably the best group I've ever had, and I was excited about this year."

Despite the challenges, Francine remains resilient. Her riding career was filled with highlights, including a second-place finish with Wilderness Song in the 1991 Queen's Plate, competing in the Breeders' Cup Distaff, and finishing second in the 2005 Prince of Wales Stakes. She won the 2004 Avelino Gomez Memorial Award for her contributions to racing.

Training Path

As a trainer, Francine began her career in 2013 and won 49 races, including two stakes victories: the 2019 Flaming Page with Giovanna Blues and the 2019 Puss N Boots Cup with Reallylikethisone. In 2021, Richiesinthehouse, owned by John Scott, finished second to sprint champion Pink Lloyd in his final race.

Her greatest contribution to the sport was undoubtedly in blazing a trail for future female riders.

Although her next role in racing remains uncertain, Villeneuve is sure of one thing.

"At this moment, everything is uncertain regarding my future plans. I'm rethinking my options. I definitely want to stay involved in the industry, possibly as a jockey agent, working in horse sales, or another role. I'm confident something will come up, but for now, I need to focus on my recovery. I need to heal. Since being discharged from the hospital, a nurse has been visiting daily to care for my wound."

Villeneuve continues to battle cancer, currently undergoing oral chemotherapy.

"Things are looking positive. The cancer hasn't disappeared, but the tumors have reduced in size. It's a step in the right direction. The treatment is quite intense, and I tire easily. I'm definitely not at full strength. It's very challenging."

Despite the difficulties, Villeneuve remains undeterred. Her career has taken her to Japan, Trinidad, Jamaica, Turkmenistan, and across the U.S.

Maintaining a positive attitude, although sometimes challenging, is crucial for Villeneuve.

"My positivity helps others facing their own challenges. I stay optimistic because I believe things will improve, and I know there are opportunities for me due to my extensive knowledge of horses. Having been in the industry for so long, I trust something will come up. Whether it’s returning to training, I’m not sure. With my connections, I'll figure something out eventually."

Villeneuve joked that stall rest isn’t her style.

Her main focus now is on recovery and preparing for the next chapter in her racing career.

"I'm not used to being idle. I want to work and be around horses."

The support from the racing community has been overwhelming, providing Villeneuve with the strength to persevere, especially on tough days.

In those moments, she reminds herself that something good is on the horizon.

Her motivation is clear.

"I love the sport and the horses. It's my life."