Light bantamweight Spencer Oliver was almost killed in the ring and despite being on the verge of international amateur honours, Norton hung up his gloves.
At the end of that year he had ridden 40 winners, his best tally since his apprenticeship. In 1999 the haul was 47 and Willie Mullins was quoted as saying Norton was the best in England at the weight after his heroics in steering She's Our Mare to victory in the Cambridgeshire.
That feat, bobbing and weaving past opponents to win by a neck, won Norton the Flat Ride Of The Year at the Lester's last April. The following month he rode in a British classic for the first time.
In June came the decision not to join Frankie Dettori on that flight to Goodwood which crashed in a field and claimed the life of pilot Patrick Mackey. Quickly thereafter came a first win at Royal Ascot. By the end of the year his win tally had soared to 77, placing him 13th in the final standings.
This season, despite rides for 35 trainers, the wins have dried up. As someone who salutes magpies and worships hard work, Norton knows life could be far worse.
"It broke my heart what happened to Paul," he said. "Leading him in, carrying the belt, as a boxing fanatic, was one of the greatest things I've ever done. Paul genuinely had big plans and they have all been smashed.
"I spoke to him yesterday and he's coming on. Frankie (Dettori) has given £100 for the Marathon run but, to be honest, running the race seems easier than it is to pull money out of people.
"All I want to do is complete the race, I hope within four hours, and come back in one piece for Paul. Anyone wanting to help can contact the Racing Welfare charities in Newmarket."
Norton has little time for those who seek a ban on boxing and he argues the case with some clarity.
"Boxing is too big," he says. "There would be more illegal boxing, more injuries and worse treatment. When you box as a kid it is in your blood for life, like Lester Piggott couldn't give up riding when he was 50 or more.
"I gave up boxing for six years and still came back.
"Boxing and racing are the only two sports in which people take part under their natural body weight. The perils are there, but are unavoidable."
