Ben Thompson
Born in Harrogate on 18 November, 1857, Ben Thompson, when 12-years-old, ran away from his father's house and made his way to Thomas Dawson's racing establishment at Tupgill, Middleham, a distance of some thirty miles from his native town.
Born in Harrogate on 18 November, 1857, Ben Thompson, when 12-years-old, ran away from his father's house and made his way to Thomas Dawson's racing establishment at Tupgill, Middleham, a distance of some thirty miles from his native town.
He weighed about 4 stone and his willing attitude made a decidedly favourable upon Dawson, who at once enrolled him among his numerous list of stable boys. After two years of general stable work, he was bound apprentice to Dawson in 1871, but had to wait a further two years before making his bow on the racecourse.
He weighed about 4 stone and his willing attitude made a decidedly favourable upon Dawson, who at once enrolled him among his numerous list of stable boys. After two years of general stable work, he was bound apprentice to Dawson in 1871, but had to wait a further two years before making his bow on the racecourse.
This he did at Thirsk: wearing the white jacket and dark blue sleeves and cap of Mr W. Sharpe and riding Independence, he finished unplaced in the Thirsk Handicap hot favourite Bishopthorpe. He did better in his second race, finishing runner-up at Newcastle to the Snowden-ridden Louise of Lorne. At the same fixture, he was required to ride Curator in the main race of the week, the Northumberland Plate. Though carrying just 5st 8lb, Curator made no show behind Falkland, Prodigal and Clearwell, who filled the first three places in that order.
This he did at Thirsk: wearing the white jacket and dark blue sleeves and cap of Mr W. Sharpe and riding Independence, he finished unplaced in the Thirsk Handicap hot favourite Bishopthorpe. He did better in his second race, finishing runner-up at Newcastle to the Snowden-ridden Louise of Lorne. At the same fixture, he was required to ride Curator in the main race of the week, the Northumberland Plate. Though carrying just 5st 8lb, Curator made no show behind Falkland, Prodigal and Clearwell, who filled the first three places in that order.
Ben rode Curator again, this time in the Ayr Gold Cup, and finished a respectable fourth. His first appearance at Newmarket was when riding Cambuslang in the Cambridgeshire; again, he failed to be noticed by the judge.
Ben rode Curator again, this time in the Ayr Gold Cup, and finished a respectable fourth. His first appearance at Newmarket was when riding Cambuslang in the Cambridgeshire; again, he failed to be noticed by the judge.
He continued to have near-misses throughout the season though crucially, no winners, thus his 1873 score read - 21 mounts, five seconds and three thirds.
He continued to have near-misses throughout the season though crucially, no winners, thus his 1873 score read - 21 mounts, five seconds and three thirds.
Ben enjoyed greater success in his second full season - 19 wins, 12 seconds and 15 thirds from 111 mounts.
Ben enjoyed greater success in his second full season - 19 wins, 12 seconds and 15 thirds from 111 mounts.
He'd started the year by riding Glacis in the Blakeney Stakes, being just beaten (a head) by Charlie Maidment on Lilian. Already acknowledged to be a promising lad, Ben's performance on Glacis brought great praise from many quarters.
He'd started the year by riding Glacis in the Blakeney Stakes, being just beaten (a head) by Charlie Maidment on Lilian. Already acknowledged to be a promising lad, Ben's performance on Glacis brought great praise from many quarters.
His first win came on Gleneagles at Northampton in the principal race of the meeting, the Great Northamptonshire Stakes. Merevale finished second with Lilian third.
His first win came on Gleneagles at Northampton in the principal race of the meeting, the Great Northamptonshire Stakes. Merevale finished second with Lilian third.
Having broken the ice, Ben - his confidence soaring - then came out later that afternoon to win his second race, the Northamptonshire Cup on Charles for his master.
Having broken the ice, Ben - his confidence soaring - then came out later that afternoon to win his second race, the Northamptonshire Cup on Charles for his master.
He next won at Catterick, taking the Horby Plate on Impudence.
He next won at Catterick, taking the Horby Plate on Impudence.
Ben first rode at Epsom riding Bugle March in the City and Suburban, but it was a race to be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Leading and appearing to hold a great chance of success, Bugle March suddenly became unmanageable in the hands of her tiny pilot and cannoned against the rails, bringing down Petition and Bull's-eye, which broke its back. Wycherley, the jockey on Petition, was off the track for two years, recovering.
Ben first rode at Epsom riding Bugle March in the City and Suburban, but it was a race to be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Leading and appearing to hold a great chance of success, Bugle March suddenly became unmanageable in the hands of her tiny pilot and cannoned against the rails, bringing down Petition and Bull's-eye, which broke its back. Wycherley, the jockey on Petition, was off the track for two years, recovering.
Moving on to Chester and riding for his own stable, Ben won the Belgrave Cup for Mr Johnstone on Tam O'Shanter. He had no luck at Royal Ascot. Gleneagles in the Ascot Stakes and Tam O'Shanter in the Royal Hunt Cup, both running unplaced. However, at Newcastle's next meeting, he won the Town PLate in a canter on Helen McGregor.
Moving on to Chester and riding for his own stable, Ben won the Belgrave Cup for Mr Johnstone on Tam O'Shanter. He had no luck at Royal Ascot. Gleneagles in the Ascot Stakes and Tam O'Shanter in the Royal Hunt Cup, both running unplaced. However, at Newcastle's next meeting, he won the Town PLate in a canter on Helen McGregor.
His other wins in 1874 included Nottingham's Stand Plate on Caro: Redcar's Town Handicap Plate on Lady Molly: Doncaster's Portland Plate on Genevieve: Doncaster's Westmoreland Stakes on Lambskin and Ayr's Trial Stakes on the Lady Flora filly.
His other wins in 1874 included Nottingham's Stand Plate on Caro: Redcar's Town Handicap Plate on Lady Molly: Doncaster's Portland Plate on Genevieve: Doncaster's Westmoreland Stakes on Lambskin and Ayr's Trial Stakes on the Lady Flora filly.
Ben's progress continued the next season (1875): he rode a total of 190 horses, winning on 32. He rode 35 seconds and 28 thirds. He won that year's Chesterfield Cup in a canter on third favourite Coomassie who sauntered home some four lengths clear of the joint-favourite, Chieftain.
Ben's progress continued the next season (1875): he rode a total of 190 horses, winning on 32. He rode 35 seconds and 28 thirds. He won that year's Chesterfield Cup in a canter on third favourite Coomassie who sauntered home some four lengths clear of the joint-favourite, Chieftain.
His first mount that year was St Mark, which ran unplaced in the Liverpool Spring Cup: he made amends the next day, winning first the Litherland Plate then, on the same card, the Aintree Cup on Carmelite.
His first mount that year was St Mark, which ran unplaced in the Liverpool Spring Cup: he made amends the next day, winning first the Litherland Plate then, on the same card, the Aintree Cup on Carmelite.
Among other notable victories that season were Newmarket's Handicap on Saint Leger: Doncaster's Fitzwilliam Stakes on King's Lynn: York's City Handicap on the Sweetbriar filly: York's Londesborough Cup on Lady Clifden and, at Doncaster September Meeting, the Great Yorkshire Handicap on Saint Leger. This was said to be his finest performance in the saddle.
Among other notable victories that season were Newmarket's Handicap on Saint Leger: Doncaster's Fitzwilliam Stakes on King's Lynn: York's City Handicap on the Sweetbriar filly: York's Londesborough Cup on Lady Clifden and, at Doncaster September Meeting, the Great Yorkshire Handicap on Saint Leger. This was said to be his finest performance in the saddle.
His greatest win in 1876 came on Tam O'Shanter in the Chester Cup.
His greatest win in 1876 came on Tam O'Shanter in the Chester Cup.
Sadly, on Friday, 8 September, that year, Ben returned home to Middleham complaining of feeling unwell. He had contracted smallpox.
Sadly, on Friday, 8 September, that year, Ben returned home to Middleham complaining of feeling unwell. He had contracted smallpox.
His health quickly deteriorated as the disease took hold and Ben, the son of a Harrogate cabman and a young jockey of immense promise, died on the following Wednesday afternoon, September 13, 1876.
His health quickly deteriorated as the disease took hold and Ben, the son of a Harrogate cabman and a young jockey of immense promise, died on the following Wednesday afternoon, September 13, 1876.
He was just 18.
He was just 18.
Two other members of the Tupgill stable staff also caught it but survived, one of them being the jockey James Fagan, who went on to ride over 1,000 winners.
Two other members of the Tupgill stable staff also caught it but survived, one of them being the jockey James Fagan, who went on to ride over 1,000 winners.
Ben rode as J. Thompson.
Ben rode as J. Thompson.