Brent Thomson
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Brent Thomson was born in 1958 in Wanganui, New Zealand, the son of leading trainer Kevin Thomson. He became champion apprentice of New Zealand at the age of 16, moving to Australia while still a teenager to further his career, settling in Melbourne.
Brent Thomson was born in 1958 in Wanganui, New Zealand, the son of leading trainer Kevin Thomson. He became champion apprentice of New Zealand at the age of 16, moving to Australia while still a teenager to further his career, settling in Melbourne.
He became the stable rider for Colin Hayes, winning three jockeys’ premierships during his six-year association with the trainer, which included wins in the Cox Plate on So Called, and the AJC Derby, Victoria Derby, Rosehill Guineas, and Cox Plate on Dulcify. He also won many major races riding for other trainers, including two more Cox Plates (on Fury's Order and Family of Man), and the Caulfield Cup on Gurner's Lane.
He became the stable rider for Colin Hayes, winning three jockeys’ premierships during his six-year association with the trainer, which included wins in the Cox Plate on So Called, and the AJC Derby, Victoria Derby, Rosehill Guineas, and Cox Plate on Dulcify. He also won many major races riding for other trainers, including two more Cox Plates (on Fury's Order and Family of Man), and the Caulfield Cup on Gurner's Lane.
He enjoyed a successful stint in Britain in the mid-1980s, riding more than 100 winners. He also rode the Australian horse Strawberry Road to victory in the 1984 Grosser Preis von Baden.
He enjoyed a successful stint in Britain in the mid-1980s, riding more than 100 winners. He also rode the Australian horse Strawberry Road to victory in the 1984 Grosser Preis von Baden.
His big race triumphs in England included, in 1984, the Cork and Orrery Stakes and the Nunthorpe Stakes on Committed; in 1985, the Ascot Gold Cup on Gildoran and the Haydock Sprint Cup on Orojoya; and in 1986, the St James’s Palace Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Sure Blade.
His big race triumphs in England included, in 1984, the Cork and Orrery Stakes and the Nunthorpe Stakes on Committed; in 1985, the Ascot Gold Cup on Gildoran and the Haydock Sprint Cup on Orojoya; and in 1986, the St James’s Palace Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Sure Blade.
Upon returning to Australia, further big race success followed winning a second Caulfield Cup and an Adelaide Cup on Lord Reims as well as a famous victory in the Australian Cup on Dandy Andy, who defeated the champions Vo Rogue and Bonecrusher at long odds.
Upon returning to Australia, further big race success followed winning a second Caulfield Cup and an Adelaide Cup on Lord Reims as well as a famous victory in the Australian Cup on Dandy Andy, who defeated the champions Vo Rogue and Bonecrusher at long odds.
He retired from riding in 2000 but continued to work in the bloodstock industry. In 2012 he was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame and in 2019 into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.
He retired from riding in 2000 but continued to work in the bloodstock industry. In 2012 he was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame and in 2019 into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.
Big race victories include:
Big race victories include:
In Britain
In Britain
1984: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Committed
1984: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Committed
1984: Nunthorpe Stakes – Committed
1984: Nunthorpe Stakes – Committed
1985: Ormonde Stakes – Seismic Wave
1985: Ormonde Stakes – Seismic Wave
1985: Dee Stakes – Infantry
1985: Dee Stakes – Infantry
1985: Coventry Stakes – Sure Blade
1985: Coventry Stakes – Sure Blade
1985: Ascot Gold Cup – Gildoran
1985: Ascot Gold Cup – Gildoran
1985: Old Newton Cup – Clanrallier
1985: Old Newton Cup – Clanrallier
1985: Waterford Candelabra Stakes – Asteroid Field
1985: Waterford Candelabra Stakes – Asteroid Field
1985: Haydock Sprint Cup – Orojoya
1985: Haydock Sprint Cup – Orojoya
1985: Champagne Stakes – Sure Blade
1985: Champagne Stakes – Sure Blade
1986: Trusthouse Forte Mile – Field Hand
1986: Trusthouse Forte Mile – Field Hand
1986: Palace House Stakes – Double Schwarz
1986: Palace House Stakes – Double Schwarz
1986: Ormonde Stakes – Brunico
1986: Ormonde Stakes – Brunico
1986: St James’s Palace Stakes – Sure Blade
1986: St James’s Palace Stakes – Sure Blade
1986: Windsor Castle Stakes – Carol’s Treasure
1986: Windsor Castle Stakes – Carol’s Treasure
1986: Park Hill Stakes – Rejuvenate
1986: Park Hill Stakes – Rejuvenate
1986: Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – Sure Blade
1986: Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – Sure Blade
In Hong Kong & Macau
In Hong Kong & Macau
Hong Kong Gold Cup (1985)
Hong Kong Classic Mile (1985)
Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1989, 1991)
Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1989)
Centenary Sprint Cup (1991)
Macau Star Of Sand Stakes (1997)
Macau Derby (1997)
Hong Kong Gold Cup (1985)
Hong Kong Classic Mile (1985)
Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1989, 1991)
Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1989)
Centenary Sprint Cup (1991)
Macau Star Of Sand Stakes (1997)
Macau Derby (1997)
In Australia & New Zealand
In Australia & New Zealand
Cox Plate (1975, 1977, 1978, 1979)
Auckland Cup (1976)
LKS Mackinnon Stakes (1977, 1978, 1979)
Underwood Stakes (1978, 1982, 1988, 1993)
Victoria Derby (1978)
VRC Sprint Classic (1978)
Rosehill Guineas (1979)
Australian Derby (1979)
Adelaide Cup (1980, 1988)
VRC Sires Produce Stakes (1980, 1983)
Marlboro Cup (1981)
Caulfield Cup (1982, 1987)
Australian Cup (1983, 1988)
Caulfield Guineas (1983, 1987, 1988)
Perth Cup (1983)
Canterbury Guineas (1984)
Goodwood Handicap (1988)
Cox Plate (1975, 1977, 1978, 1979)
Auckland Cup (1976)
LKS Mackinnon Stakes (1977, 1978, 1979)
Underwood Stakes (1978, 1982, 1988, 1993)
Victoria Derby (1978)
VRC Sprint Classic (1978)
Rosehill Guineas (1979)
Australian Derby (1979)
Adelaide Cup (1980, 1988)
VRC Sires Produce Stakes (1980, 1983)
Marlboro Cup (1981)
Caulfield Cup (1982, 1987)
Australian Cup (1983, 1988)
Caulfield Guineas (1983, 1987, 1988)
Perth Cup (1983)
Canterbury Guineas (1984)
Goodwood Handicap (1988)
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