[3] The only child of Ron and Eleanor (née Broderick) Villeneuve, Francine grew up around horses on the family farm in Winchester Springs, Ontario and went to North Dundas District High School in the village of Chesterville.

Within four years, in June 1991, Villeneuve crossed the finish line second in the Queen's Plate, riding Wilderness Song, making history as the first female ever to place in Canada's oldest and most prestigious race.

In May 2002 with her 600th victory, she overtook fellow pioneer Regina Sealock as the winningest female jockey[5] in Canadian history (a crown she would wear for over ten years before being passed herself).

All of this was achieved despite losing time in the saddle because of several serious injuries and taking two personal hiatuses from the sport; the first, a one-year break during her peak years to give birth to her son Aaron, and the second, a three-year sabbatical to better tend to her family.

[3] Her pioneering spirit and unassuming nature made her a fan favorite that would forever kick in the door of the historically male-dominated sport and help to clear a path for other great Canadian women like Chantal Sutherland and Emma-Jayne Wilson.

[1] Because of her connection to the breed, she was extended the rare honor of being invited to race at the International Akhal-Teke Association meeting held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan in late April 2012.