Andrew Thomson

Andrew Thomson

1885-1924

Professional jockey Andrew Thomson, aged 39, died in Greenbank Hospital, Darlington, on Monday evening, December 29, 1924, from injuries received while riding Rustling, trained by George Turnbull at Darlington, in the Wynyard Steeplechase, the first race at Sedgefield on Boxing Day.

Andrew suffered what proved to be fatal spinal injuries when the horse fell and rolled on him. Police Constable Moses, who witnessed the accident, immediately went to Andrew’s assistance, who was complaining of an injury between his shoulders. He was taken to the course dressing room and afterwards removed to hospital.

House Surgeon Dr H. T. Thomson said an operation could not be performed as the case was hopeless from the start.

Andrew, who lived at 2, Howard Road, Morpeth, was described as an able rider who had won over the course the previous March when riding Mr S. Fairbairn’s Meyskil.

At the inquest, held on Tuesday December 30, Inspector Comber of the R.S.P.C.A. who was present on the racecourse on the day of Andrew’s fall, called attention to the need for a proper ambulance being kept on the racecourse. The Coroner stated that he would communicate with the Race Committee urging that one should be provided.

Born in 1885, Andrew had ridden 13 winners prior to that fatal fall, the first of which was on Pyrrhic in the Springwood Selling Chase at Kelso on May 23, 1921, beating Billy Hammett’s mount Gimcrack IV by six lengths. They teamed up again on October 6 that year to take the Dukesfield Handicap Chase at Hexham by four lengths.

Nine days later. Andrew notched a double at Kelso, including his third win on Pyrrhic. This was gained in the stewards’ room when Shannon Vale, having finished first in the Mellerstain Selling Chase, was disqualified on grounds of going the wrong side of a post and his jockey, Fred Croney, fined for continuing in the race. 

Nearly 18 months elapsed before Andrew had his sole success in 1923, but the following year brought eight wins, including three on the chaser Always Ready and a double at Hexham. He had what would prove to be his final victory on Guy Agnew in the Hall Orchards Selling Hurdle at Wetherby on November 1, 1924, beating former champion jockey Jack Anthony on Dundonald by half a length. 

Although a relative veteran by then at 39, it appeared as though Andrew’s career in the saddle was starting to pick up, only to be cruelly ended by that fatal Boxing Day fall at Sedgefield.

Andrew Thomson’s winners as a jockey were, in chronological order:

1. Pyrrhic, Kelso, May 23, 1921

2. Pyrrhic, Hexham, October 6, 1921

3. Monazite, Kelso, October 15, 1921

4. Pyrrhic, Kelso, October 15, 1951

5. Meyskil, Sedgefield, March 28, 1923

6. Caplan, Sedgefield, April 2, 1924

7. Caplan, Rothbury, April 23, 1924

8. Always Ready, Hexham, May 8, 1924

9. Guy Agnew, Hexham, June 7, 1924

10. Always Ready, Hexham, June 7, 1924

11. Scotty Rig, Hexham, October 1, 1924

12. Always Ready, Sedgefield, October 14, 1924

13. Guy Agnew, Wetherby, November 1, 1924