Arthur Thompson
1916 - 1988
1916 - 1988
The 1948 Grand National winner, Sheila's Cottage, was trained by former cavalry officer Neville Crump at Middleham and ridden by Irish-born (Carlow, 1916) stable jockey Arthur Patrick Thompson. Arthur was given the ride on Sheila's Cottage by virtue of the fact that he was the only one who could control the ill-tempered mare.
The 1948 Grand National winner, Sheila's Cottage, was trained by former cavalry officer Neville Crump at Middleham and ridden by Irish-born (Carlow, 1916) stable jockey Arthur Patrick Thompson. Arthur was given the ride on Sheila's Cottage by virtue of the fact that he was the only one who could control the ill-tempered mare.
After an unsuccessful period at stud, Sheila's Cottage was given to Arthur. When the horse died, he buried it at the bottom of his garden at Wexford.
After an unsuccessful period at stud, Sheila's Cottage was given to Arthur. When the horse died, he buried it at the bottom of his garden at Wexford.
Arthur rode a second Grand National on Teal (1952), also trained by Neville Crump.
Arthur rode a second Grand National on Teal (1952), also trained by Neville Crump.
Born on October 6, 1916, Arthur was the son of a watchmaker. His introduction to racing came about by chance when, following the death of his mother, he was sent as a small boy to live with his aunt in the country.
Born on October 6, 1916, Arthur was the son of a watchmaker. His introduction to racing came about by chance when, following the death of his mother, he was sent as a small boy to live with his aunt in the country.
It was there that he met a cousin who was a keen amateur rider. It was under his influence that Arthur discovered his own talent for riding.
It was there that he met a cousin who was a keen amateur rider. It was under his influence that Arthur discovered his own talent for riding.
He was taken on by Kilkenny trainer John Kirwan, and the aspiring teenage jockey made his racing debut in 1931. It was a dream start as Arthur won over hurdles at Mallow.
He was taken on by Kilkenny trainer John Kirwan, and the aspiring teenage jockey made his racing debut in 1931. It was a dream start as Arthur won over hurdles at Mallow.
Eventually he became Ireland's champion apprentice on both the Flat and over the jumps.
Eventually he became Ireland's champion apprentice on both the Flat and over the jumps.
In 1936, Arthur took the plunge and moved to England. He had just begun to build up a list of trainers happy for him to ride their horses when war broke out.
In 1936, Arthur took the plunge and moved to England. He had just begun to build up a list of trainers happy for him to ride their horses when war broke out.
Arthur joined the Northumberland Fusiliers, and became a 'Desert Rat'. He saw long periods of action in the North Africa campaign before being one of thousands of troops captured by Rommel's Afrika Korps.
Arthur joined the Northumberland Fusiliers, and became a 'Desert Rat'. He saw long periods of action in the North Africa campaign before being one of thousands of troops captured by Rommel's Afrika Korps.
Three years as a prisoner of war followed. Then, in 1945, as Russian troops closed in on his prison camp in Germany, he managed to escape and commandeer a bicycle which enabled him to ride west to meet up with American forces.
Three years as a prisoner of war followed. Then, in 1945, as Russian troops closed in on his prison camp in Germany, he managed to escape and commandeer a bicycle which enabled him to ride west to meet up with American forces.
Once demobilised, Arthur resumed his riding career. His weight then, in November 1945, had shot up to eleven and a half stone. His first job was to get the weight off.
Once demobilised, Arthur resumed his riding career. His weight then, in November 1945, had shot up to eleven and a half stone. His first job was to get the weight off.
By 1946, he was ready to ride again and began a long and successful partnership with Neville Crump who had just completed wartime Army service in charge of tank training.
By 1946, he was ready to ride again and began a long and successful partnership with Neville Crump who had just completed wartime Army service in charge of tank training.
This was the year that Arthur was first introduced to the temperamental, headstrong mare, Shelia's Cottage.
This was the year that Arthur was first introduced to the temperamental, headstrong mare, Shelia's Cottage.
He won twice on her at Haydock in 1947 before lining up for the 1947 Grand National. Shelia's Cottage came down at the 12th.
He won twice on her at Haydock in 1947 before lining up for the 1947 Grand National. Shelia's Cottage came down at the 12th.
She was then aimed for the Scottish Grand National at Bogside. She looked all over the winner before dumping her jockey at the third last and bolting off course.
She was then aimed for the Scottish Grand National at Bogside. She looked all over the winner before dumping her jockey at the third last and bolting off course.
Then, in the Grand National of 1948, everything came together...but luck was certainly on her side.
Then, in the Grand National of 1948, everything came together...but luck was certainly on her side.
Lord Mildmay, riding Cromwell, was seized with cramp in his previously broken neck and was unable to control or encourage Cromwell and, incredibly, after drawing level with Shelia's Cottage, jockey Eddie Reavey on Zabia made a monumental blunder and took the mare wide of the final fence.
Lord Mildmay, riding Cromwell, was seized with cramp in his previously broken neck and was unable to control or encourage Cromwell and, incredibly, after drawing level with Shelia's Cottage, jockey Eddie Reavey on Zabia made a monumental blunder and took the mare wide of the final fence.
This left Arthur with just First of the Dandies to beat and, taking up the running 50 yards from the line, he did just that.
This left Arthur with just First of the Dandies to beat and, taking up the running 50 yards from the line, he did just that.
Arthur was back again in 1949: he was somewhat unluckily brought down on Astra three fences from home. Compensation awaited - two weeks later he won the Scottish Grand National on Wot No Sun. Arthur ended that season in third spot in the Jockeys' table with 60 wins.
Arthur was back again in 1949: he was somewhat unluckily brought down on Astra three fences from home. Compensation awaited - two weeks later he won the Scottish Grand National on Wot No Sun. Arthur ended that season in third spot in the Jockeys' table with 60 wins.
The next year saw him crash out at the Canal Turn on Partpoint.
The next year saw him crash out at the Canal Turn on Partpoint.
Neville Crump entered four horses in the 1952 race: Arthur, as stable jockey, chose to ride Teal, the 5/1 second favourite behind Freebooter, who was to fall at the Canal Turn. Teal and Arthur went on to beat Legal Joy by five lengths.
Neville Crump entered four horses in the 1952 race: Arthur, as stable jockey, chose to ride Teal, the 5/1 second favourite behind Freebooter, who was to fall at the Canal Turn. Teal and Arthur went on to beat Legal Joy by five lengths.
Arthur's last National ride came on High Guard in 1956. They came down at the first.
Arthur's last National ride came on High Guard in 1956. They came down at the first.
Later that year, Arthur judged that it was time to quit the saddle. He no longer felt sufficiently strong enough to maintain his own high standards
Later that year, Arthur judged that it was time to quit the saddle. He no longer felt sufficiently strong enough to maintain his own high standards
Arthur's last ride as a jockey was a winning one on Oakdale in the Deighton Hurdle at Wetherby on 3 April 1956. He retired from the saddle at the age of 40.
Arthur's last ride as a jockey was a winning one on Oakdale in the Deighton Hurdle at Wetherby on 3 April 1956. He retired from the saddle at the age of 40.
He began training, and sent out his first runner, Goldie, at Thisk on April 2 that year. His last runner was Shere Khan at Brighton, May 17, 1988.
He began training, and sent out his first runner, Goldie, at Thisk on April 2 that year. His last runner was Shere Khan at Brighton, May 17, 1988.
Arthur died the following month on June 27, 1988. aged 71, back home in his native Co. Wexford.
Arthur died the following month on June 27, 1988. aged 71, back home in his native Co. Wexford.
Teal was owned by Harry Lane, a 22-stone construction magnate from South Shields, who bought the horse for £2,000.
Teal was owned by Harry Lane, a 22-stone construction magnate from South Shields, who bought the horse for £2,000.
Harry Lane chartered a train to bring six hundred of his employees to watch Arthur ride the gelding to victory.
Harry Lane chartered a train to bring six hundred of his employees to watch Arthur ride the gelding to victory.
Mrs Topham, who owned Aintree, refused to allow the BBC to provide a commentary, preferring instead to enlist their own team of commentators.
Mrs Topham, who owned Aintree, refused to allow the BBC to provide a commentary, preferring instead to enlist their own team of commentators.
This amateur effort gave Teal as a first fence faller.
This amateur effort gave Teal as a first fence faller.