Charles Thompson
Charles Thompson
Charles Thompson
1852-1930
1852-1930
Amateur rider Charles Thompson was one of the most fearless riders the Turf has ever known. He was champion National Hunt jockey in 1890, beating all the professionals and amateurs alike.
Amateur rider Charles Thompson was one of the most fearless riders the Turf has ever known. He was champion National Hunt jockey in 1890, beating all the professionals and amateurs alike.
Charles William Arthur Thompson was born in Edgeware Road, London in 1852. Nicknamed ‘Bonnetty Bob’ (sometimes spelt ‘Bonnety’) due to his mother founding a large millinery business in Regent Street, he began riding almost as soon as he could walk and was only seven when he broke a leg while trying to follow hounds on a carthorse. Aged 11, he rode his first winner in a pony steeplechase.
Charles William Arthur Thompson was born in Edgeware Road, London in 1852. Nicknamed ‘Bonnetty Bob’ (sometimes spelt ‘Bonnety’) due to his mother founding a large millinery business in Regent Street, he began riding almost as soon as he could walk and was only seven when he broke a leg while trying to follow hounds on a carthorse. Aged 11, he rode his first winner in a pony steeplechase.
He was educated at King’s College School, and when aged 14 was sent to the Lycée Bonaparte in Paris to learn the French language. A gifted athlete, he won prizes at boxing, long-distance running and swimming. He once swam from Dover to Folkestone.
He was educated at King’s College School, and when aged 14 was sent to the Lycée Bonaparte in Paris to learn the French language. A gifted athlete, he won prizes at boxing, long-distance running and swimming. He once swam from Dover to Folkestone.
Seeking adventure, he crossed the Atlantic in 1878 and began ranching in Texas, followed by mining in California. Having returned to England, he became the founder of the Gridiron Club in London.
Seeking adventure, he crossed the Atlantic in 1878 and began ranching in Texas, followed by mining in California. Having returned to England, he became the founder of the Gridiron Club in London.
He started riding under National Hunt rules in 1884 and rode his first winner on Phyllis in the Hanslope Park Chase at Hanslope Park on 12 March 1885. (Hanslope Park Racecourse, in Buckinghamshire, had only a brief existence, holding its final meeting in March 1886.)
He started riding under National Hunt rules in 1884 and rode his first winner on Phyllis in the Hanslope Park Chase at Hanslope Park on 12 March 1885. (Hanslope Park Racecourse, in Buckinghamshire, had only a brief existence, holding its final meeting in March 1886.)
He won the 1886 Aintree Hunt Chase over the Grand National fences on Phyllis, but recorded his greatest success on 7-1 chance Nap in the 1889 National Hunt Chase, run that year at Ely Racecourse. Cardiff. Nap, who was only four years old, won by 20 lengths, despite having refused early in the race.
He won the 1886 Aintree Hunt Chase over the Grand National fences on Phyllis, but recorded his greatest success on 7-1 chance Nap in the 1889 National Hunt Chase, run that year at Ely Racecourse. Cardiff. Nap, who was only four years old, won by 20 lengths, despite having refused early in the race.
There were just six runners that year but the race did not lack drama, as author Peter Stevens records in his ‘History of the National Hunt Chase 1860-2010’. “On a fine day, Cannock Chase led to the second fence where Zoelite ran out. Nap soon joined the leader, but they refused at the fence beyond the stands. Both retraced but Cannock Chase refused again at the ditch near the wood and her rider gave up. Flyaway and Candytuft then took over the lead but Nap led again a little while after. He was then passed by Orlando who made the running from half way but had had enough before the straight. Nap soon took over again and pulled away from Candytuft from two out to win easily by 20 lengths.”
There were just six runners that year but the race did not lack drama, as author Peter Stevens records in his ‘History of the National Hunt Chase 1860-2010’. “On a fine day, Cannock Chase led to the second fence where Zoelite ran out. Nap soon joined the leader, but they refused at the fence beyond the stands. Both retraced but Cannock Chase refused again at the ditch near the wood and her rider gave up. Flyaway and Candytuft then took over the lead but Nap led again a little while after. He was then passed by Orlando who made the running from half way but had had enough before the straight. Nap soon took over again and pulled away from Candytuft from two out to win easily by 20 lengths.”
Alas, Charles Thompson’s elation at winning the National Hunt Chase was short-lived as in the very next race he dislocated a shoulder and broke his right elbow in a fall.
Alas, Charles Thompson’s elation at winning the National Hunt Chase was short-lived as in the very next race he dislocated a shoulder and broke his right elbow in a fall.
He finished runner-up to Roddy Owen in that year’s amateur riders’ table with 33 winners, but went one better in 1890 when he was not only champion amateur but champion jockey overall with a score of 45 wins from 184 rides.
He finished runner-up to Roddy Owen in that year’s amateur riders’ table with 33 winners, but went one better in 1890 when he was not only champion amateur but champion jockey overall with a score of 45 wins from 184 rides.
He finished second overall, again to Roddy Owen, the following year with a career-best score of 46, against Owen’s 49. Had Charles’ eight wins in Germany that year been taken into account, he would have retained his title.
He finished second overall, again to Roddy Owen, the following year with a career-best score of 46, against Owen’s 49. Had Charles’ eight wins in Germany that year been taken into account, he would have retained his title.
Charles’ German wins that year included a big race at Leipzig on The Screw. In 1892 he won the Gold Cup at Charlottenburg on Iceberg II despite breaking two ribs when brought down during the race. Less than three weeks later he won another big chase on Duke of Bergundy at Hamburg.
Charles’ German wins that year included a big race at Leipzig on The Screw. In 1892 he won the Gold Cup at Charlottenburg on Iceberg II despite breaking two ribs when brought down during the race. Less than three weeks later he won another big chase on Duke of Bergundy at Hamburg.
During his career he suffered some serious injuries. Once, in a race at Kempton Park, he broke a leg when his mount was driven into the rails, yet, though in great agony and with his leg hanging helpless, managed to complete the course.
During his career he suffered some serious injuries. Once, in a race at Kempton Park, he broke a leg when his mount was driven into the rails, yet, though in great agony and with his leg hanging helpless, managed to complete the course.
He smashed a hip and a knee in a fall at Warwick in 1892. On another occasion, he broke his left leg below the knee when falling on Thelma at the Bedford Hunt meeting. Small wonder, then, that his surgeon, Dr Wharton Hood, always said: “Mr Thompson, the gentleman rider, was one of my best patients.”
He smashed a hip and a knee in a fall at Warwick in 1892. On another occasion, he broke his left leg below the knee when falling on Thelma at the Bedford Hunt meeting. Small wonder, then, that his surgeon, Dr Wharton Hood, always said: “Mr Thompson, the gentleman rider, was one of my best patients.”
He rode his last winner on Dinan, an 8-1 shot, in the Light-weight Hunt Chase at Vale of Aylesbury on 30 March 1911, when in his sixtieth year. Dinan was also his final ride under National Hunt rules when finishing unplaced in the Towcester Selling Chase at the annual Grafton Hunt fixture (later known as Towcester) on Easter Monday, 17 April 1911.
He rode his last winner on Dinan, an 8-1 shot, in the Light-weight Hunt Chase at Vale of Aylesbury on 30 March 1911, when in his sixtieth year. Dinan was also his final ride under National Hunt rules when finishing unplaced in the Towcester Selling Chase at the annual Grafton Hunt fixture (later known as Towcester) on Easter Monday, 17 April 1911.
Having finished riding under NH rules, he remained active in the saddle and continued to ride in point-to-points until 1921. When aged 78 he was a regular follower of the Pytchley and Whaddon Chase hunts.
Having finished riding under NH rules, he remained active in the saddle and continued to ride in point-to-points until 1921. When aged 78 he was a regular follower of the Pytchley and Whaddon Chase hunts.
Charles Thompson died at Rugby on Saturday, 8 November, 1930, aged 78. He left £5,910 and was buried at sea (the Irish Sea) wearing his racing colours of blue & white bird's eye, white belt.
Charles Thompson died at Rugby on Saturday, 8 November, 1930, aged 78. He left £5,910 and was buried at sea (the Irish Sea) wearing his racing colours of blue & white bird's eye, white belt.