Bobby Thomas
1845 - 1930
1845 - 1930
He was known to his friends as Bobby Thomas, and to the racing world as Mr Trewent.
He was known to his friends as Bobby Thomas, and to the racing world as Mr Trewent.
Born in 1845, Mr L. R. Thomas donned silks for the first time in the Garrison Stakes at Colchester Steeplechases. Describing his mount as a queer-looking beast, Mr Trewent made all the running over four miles on heavy ground to be eventually beaten by just a length by The Monkey.
Born in 1845, Mr L. R. Thomas donned silks for the first time in the Garrison Stakes at Colchester Steeplechases. Describing his mount as a queer-looking beast, Mr Trewent made all the running over four miles on heavy ground to be eventually beaten by just a length by The Monkey.
Soon afterwards, when at Tenby Races, he brought what he thought was a useful mare for £66 and put her in an overnight hurdle and a flat race, both of which she won. She turned out a very lucky purchase, winning several races both on the flat and jumping. He sold her on for £250, but not before she had given him his first bad racing fall, which put him out of action for three months.
Soon afterwards, when at Tenby Races, he brought what he thought was a useful mare for £66 and put her in an overnight hurdle and a flat race, both of which she won. She turned out a very lucky purchase, winning several races both on the flat and jumping. He sold her on for £250, but not before she had given him his first bad racing fall, which put him out of action for three months.
Once recovered, he rode three winners at Aldershot: he also bought an unraced mare called Diadem which had not been schooled over hurdles. Spotting a hurdle race at Ludlow he thought she might win, he entered her. The untried Diadem, not unexpectedly, hit the first so hard that she landed on her knees and nose, and when Mr Trewent got her going again, the saddle flaps had doubled back under the surcingle and he was obliged to ride her on the buckles of the girths one side. Amazingly, the partnership not only stayed in tack but also ran on to win.
Once recovered, he rode three winners at Aldershot: he also bought an unraced mare called Diadem which had not been schooled over hurdles. Spotting a hurdle race at Ludlow he thought she might win, he entered her. The untried Diadem, not unexpectedly, hit the first so hard that she landed on her knees and nose, and when Mr Trewent got her going again, the saddle flaps had doubled back under the surcingle and he was obliged to ride her on the buckles of the girths one side. Amazingly, the partnership not only stayed in tack but also ran on to win.
Although Mr Trewent never rode the winner of a big race, he was on Victress when it won the 1870 Hurdle Handicap at Worcester and, in 1874, won nine consecutive races on Goldfinder. Taffy was another prolific winner for him as was Milton - together they won the Ludlow Cup twice and a dozen or so other races.
Although Mr Trewent never rode the winner of a big race, he was on Victress when it won the 1870 Hurdle Handicap at Worcester and, in 1874, won nine consecutive races on Goldfinder. Taffy was another prolific winner for him as was Milton - together they won the Ludlow Cup twice and a dozen or so other races.
He was invited to ride in India in 1892 and had a very successful period.
He was invited to ride in India in 1892 and had a very successful period.
Aged 86, Mr L. R. Thomas died at his home in Daniel Street, Bath, in August, 1930.
Aged 86, Mr L. R. Thomas died at his home in Daniel Street, Bath, in August, 1930.