Thomas Field
Thomas Field
Thomas Field
1896-1915
1896-1915
Born in Newmarket in 1896, Thomas Robert Field had a few rides on the Flat, but his only wins were under National Hunt rules, with one in 1913 and six in 1914.
Born in Newmarket in 1896, Thomas Robert Field had a few rides on the Flat, but his only wins were under National Hunt rules, with one in 1913 and six in 1914.
He was apprenticed to Edward Brandon and had his first ride in public on The Dame, who finished seventh of eight runners in the Apprentices’ Handicap at Goodwood on July 28, 1909.
He was apprenticed to Edward Brandon and had his first ride in public on The Dame, who finished seventh of eight runners in the Apprentices’ Handicap at Goodwood on July 28, 1909.
It was not until 1913 that he had his first success. It came at the Hambledon Hunt meeting on May 2, when Misere won the Exton Selling Hurdle by a length from Greator, the mount of Spink Walkington.
It was not until 1913 that he had his first success. It came at the Hambledon Hunt meeting on May 2, when Misere won the Exton Selling Hurdle by a length from Greator, the mount of Spink Walkington.
A double at Portsmouth on Easter Monday, April 13, ensured that 1914 was going to be a more successful year. He took the Portsmouth Handicap Chase on Campamento and the Easter Handicap Hurdle on Bolingbroke, both by eight lengths.
A double at Portsmouth on Easter Monday, April 13, ensured that 1914 was going to be a more successful year. He took the Portsmouth Handicap Chase on Campamento and the Easter Handicap Hurdle on Bolingbroke, both by eight lengths.
Campamento was the first leg of another double when winning the formerly prestigious Worcester Grand Annual Handicap Chase at that course on April 29, an objection by the rider of the runner-up on grounds of crossing being overruled. Two races later, Thomas won the City Handicap Hurdle on Friction, a nine-year-old that he had ridden for the first time at Sandown Park four days earlier.
Campamento was the first leg of another double when winning the formerly prestigious Worcester Grand Annual Handicap Chase at that course on April 29, an objection by the rider of the runner-up on grounds of crossing being overruled. Two races later, Thomas won the City Handicap Hurdle on Friction, a nine-year-old that he had ridden for the first time at Sandown Park four days earlier.
There was no stopping Campamento, who won his third race of the season when taking the Loxley Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter on May 25 by a neck from Click Clack, ridden by the excellent amateur jockey Jack Tyrwhitt-Drake.
There was no stopping Campamento, who won his third race of the season when taking the Loxley Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter on May 25 by a neck from Click Clack, ridden by the excellent amateur jockey Jack Tyrwhitt-Drake.
Campamento then won for a fourth time in succession, landing the Whitsuntide Handicap Chase at Cardiff on Whit Monday, June 1. Again, there was only a neck to spare, this time over Jack Reardon on Darraidou.
Campamento then won for a fourth time in succession, landing the Whitsuntide Handicap Chase at Cardiff on Whit Monday, June 1. Again, there was only a neck to spare, this time over Jack Reardon on Darraidou.
Jack Tyrwhitt-Drake, rider of runner-up Click Clack in that Uttoxeter race, was to lose his life in the First World War a year later. Sadly, the same fate befell Thomas Field. Enrolled as a private in the 1st Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, he was killed in action at the 2nd Battle of Ypres on August 17, 1915. He is commemorated on a plaque at the New Astley Club, Fred Archer Way, Newmarket.
Jack Tyrwhitt-Drake, rider of runner-up Click Clack in that Uttoxeter race, was to lose his life in the First World War a year later. Sadly, the same fate befell Thomas Field. Enrolled as a private in the 1st Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, he was killed in action at the 2nd Battle of Ypres on August 17, 1915. He is commemorated on a plaque at the New Astley Club, Fred Archer Way, Newmarket.
Thomas Field’s winners were, in chronological order:
Thomas Field’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Misere, Hambledon Hunt, May 2, 1913
1. Misere, Hambledon Hunt, May 2, 1913
2. Campamento, Portsmouth Park, April 13, 1914
2. Campamento, Portsmouth Park, April 13, 1914
3. Bolingbroke, Portsmouth Park, April 13, 1914
3. Bolingbroke, Portsmouth Park, April 13, 1914
4. Campamento, Worcester, April 29, 1914
4. Campamento, Worcester, April 29, 1914
5. Friction, Worcester, April 29, 1914
5. Friction, Worcester, April 29, 1914
6. Campamento, Uttoxeter, May 25, 1914
6. Campamento, Uttoxeter, May 25, 1914
7. Campamento, Cardiff, June 1, 1914
7. Campamento, Cardiff, June 1, 1914
Thomas Field's first win: Misere, Hambledon Hunt, May 2, 1913
Thomas Field's first win: Misere, Hambledon Hunt, May 2, 1913
Thomas' 1914 Portsmouth double: Campamento & Bolingbroke
Thomas' 1914 Portsmouth double: Campamento & Bolingbroke
Thomas' Worcester double: Campamento & Friction: Worcester, April 29, 1914
Thomas' Worcester double: Campamento & Friction: Worcester, April 29, 1914