Thomas Moreau
Thomas Moreau
Thomas Moreau
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
After two promising years in the early 1920s in which he rode 14 winners altogether, National Hunt jockey Thomas Moreau only added two more.
After two promising years in the early 1920s in which he rode 14 winners altogether, National Hunt jockey Thomas Moreau only added two more.
His career over jumps did not start well, falling on Royal Airman in the Cardinal’s Selling Hurdle at Hurst Park on January 5, 1923. However, at a two-day meeting at Sedgefield at the end of March he rode three winners, all trained by the prominent northern amateur jockey Adam Scott. The first success was on Dover Patrol in the Sedgefield Handicap Chase, beating Gamebook, ridden by William Watkinson, by six lengths. Later that afternoon Thomas was involved in a close finish when Nant Coch prevailed by a head in the Mordon Hurdle, narrowly beating Billy Hammett on Hereford Lad. Those two jockeys fought out another close battle the following afternoon in the Bishop Middleham Chase, with Thomas on Statesman beating Billy on The Sheikh by a neck.
His career over jumps did not start well, falling on Royal Airman in the Cardinal’s Selling Hurdle at Hurst Park on January 5, 1923. However, at a two-day meeting at Sedgefield at the end of March he rode three winners, all trained by the prominent northern amateur jockey Adam Scott. The first success was on Dover Patrol in the Sedgefield Handicap Chase, beating Gamebook, ridden by William Watkinson, by six lengths. Later that afternoon Thomas was involved in a close finish when Nant Coch prevailed by a head in the Mordon Hurdle, narrowly beating Billy Hammett on Hereford Lad. Those two jockeys fought out another close battle the following afternoon in the Bishop Middleham Chase, with Thomas on Statesman beating Billy on The Sheikh by a neck.
Thomas’s next two wins were gained later that year at Cheltenham on November 15, riding a double on horses trained by former jockey Alf Newey, who was just setting out on his new career.
Thomas’s next two wins were gained later that year at Cheltenham on November 15, riding a double on horses trained by former jockey Alf Newey, who was just setting out on his new career.
Eight wins followed in 1924, including a dead heat at Torquay, but the opportunities then dwindled. His last victory was on Second National in the Dover Chase at Wye on March 19, 1928. At Manchester on Easter Monday that year, he had a ride in the valuable Lancashire Chase but his mount, Mutinous, refused.
Eight wins followed in 1924, including a dead heat at Torquay, but the opportunities then dwindled. His last victory was on Second National in the Dover Chase at Wye on March 19, 1928. At Manchester on Easter Monday that year, he had a ride in the valuable Lancashire Chase but his mount, Mutinous, refused.
Thomas rode for several more seasons without success, having his final mount on Lord Angelo, unplaced in the Heart of England Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter on May 18, 1936.
Thomas rode for several more seasons without success, having his final mount on Lord Angelo, unplaced in the Heart of England Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter on May 18, 1936.
On Wednesday evening, November 21 1928, Thomas was in a fatal collision whilst riding his motorbike up Red Brick Hill, just outside Bilton village. He collided with 51-year-old William Clarke who was cycling home after work. The accident occurred at 9.15 p.m. Thomas and his pillion passenger, fellow jockey Patrick Sarsfield, were both uninjured but Clarke received extensive head injuries. The cyclist was rushed to Rugby Hospital where he died two hours after admission. It was established that Clarke had been cycling on the wrong side of the road: a verdict of 'Accidental Death' was returned and Thomas exonerated from all blame.
On Wednesday evening, November 21 1928, Thomas was in a fatal collision whilst riding his motorbike up Red Brick Hill, just outside Bilton village. He collided with 51-year-old William Clarke who was cycling home after work. The accident occurred at 9.15 p.m. Thomas and his pillion passenger, fellow jockey Patrick Sarsfield, were both uninjured but Clarke received extensive head injuries. The cyclist was rushed to Rugby Hospital where he died two hours after admission. It was established that Clarke had been cycling on the wrong side of the road: a verdict of 'Accidental Death' was returned and Thomas exonerated from all blame.
Thomas Moreau’s winners were, in chronological order:
Thomas Moreau’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Dover Patrol, Sedgefield, March 27, 1923
1. Dover Patrol, Sedgefield, March 27, 1923
2. Nant Coch, Sedgefield, March 27, 1923
2. Nant Coch, Sedgefield, March 27, 1923
3. Statesman, Sedgefield, March 28, 1923
3. Statesman, Sedgefield, March 28, 1923
4. Progress, Cheltenham, November 15, 1923
4. Progress, Cheltenham, November 15, 1923
5. Oh Help, Cheltenham, November 15, 1923
5. Oh Help, Cheltenham, November 15, 1923
6. Layman, Windsor, December 12, 1923
6. Layman, Windsor, December 12, 1923
7. Layman, Manchester, January 2, 1924
7. Layman, Manchester, January 2, 1924
8. Clarkia, Haydock Park, January 4, 1924
8. Clarkia, Haydock Park, January 4, 1924
9. Aerolite, Haydock Park, January 5, 1924
9. Aerolite, Haydock Park, January 5, 1924
10. Cock Eye, Torquay, April 21, 1924 (dead heat)
10. Cock Eye, Torquay, April 21, 1924 (dead heat)
11. Flying Winkfield, Torquay, April 22, 1924
11. Flying Winkfield, Torquay, April 22, 1924
12. Bedford Row, Pershore, May 5, 1924
12. Bedford Row, Pershore, May 5, 1924
13. Pabulum, Stratford-on-Avon, October 4, 1924
13. Pabulum, Stratford-on-Avon, October 4, 1924
14. Woolcraft, Birmingham, November 25, 1924
14. Woolcraft, Birmingham, November 25, 1924
15. Noggin, Kempton Park, March 2, 1928
15. Noggin, Kempton Park, March 2, 1928
16. Second National, Wye, March 19, 1928
16. Second National, Wye, March 19, 1928
Thomas Moreau's double at Sedgefield, Dover Patrol & Nant Coch, March 27 1923
Thomas landed another double when riding Progress & Oh Help at Cheltenham, November 15 1923