Jim Thomson
Jim Thomson
Jim Thomson
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
James Thomson, known as Jim, rode over jumps for much of the 1970s and had ten wins.
James Thomson, known as Jim, rode over jumps for much of the 1970s and had ten wins.
His first was on Prince Tacitus, finishing a well beaten eighth of ten runners in the Autumn Novices’ Hurdle at Plumpton on October 24, 1972. He kept the ride and was placed twice from three starts before, at Fontwell Park on December 28, the combination led at the last flight and, despite making a blunder there, ran on to beat Richard Pitman’s mount Vikrom by eight lengths to land the Worthing Hurdle. Prince Tacitus was trained by Mrs Diane Oughton, who had taken over the trainer’s licence following the death of her husband, former jump jockey Alan Oughton.
His first was on Prince Tacitus, finishing a well beaten eighth of ten runners in the Autumn Novices’ Hurdle at Plumpton on October 24, 1972. He kept the ride and was placed twice from three starts before, at Fontwell Park on December 28, the combination led at the last flight and, despite making a blunder there, ran on to beat Richard Pitman’s mount Vikrom by eight lengths to land the Worthing Hurdle. Prince Tacitus was trained by Mrs Diane Oughton, who had taken over the trainer’s licence following the death of her husband, former jump jockey Alan Oughton.
Just 19 days later the winning pair returned to Fontwell and won again, this time in the Pulborough Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1).
Just 19 days later the winning pair returned to Fontwell and won again, this time in the Pulborough Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1).
Despite those successes it would be more than two years before Jim entered the winner’s enclosure again. By then he was riding for Jack Hardy, who would be responsible for al but one of his eight remaining victories.
Despite those successes it would be more than two years before Jim entered the winner’s enclosure again. By then he was riding for Jack Hardy, who would be responsible for al but one of his eight remaining victories.
It was on Hardy’s hurdler Warren Gorse that he had his last two wins. The second of those was at Sedgefield on April 6, 1979 when, despite pulling hard early, the five-year-old led at the second last flight and was driven out to beat Irish Image by two lengths at the end of the Punch and Judy Selling Hurde.
It was on Hardy’s hurdler Warren Gorse that he had his last two wins. The second of those was at Sedgefield on April 6, 1979 when, despite pulling hard early, the five-year-old led at the second last flight and was driven out to beat Irish Image by two lengths at the end of the Punch and Judy Selling Hurde.
There were no more wins although he continued to have rides until New Year’s Day 1981, when Whistler’s Image finished tailed off in the Humberstone Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Leicester.
There were no more wins although he continued to have rides until New Year’s Day 1981, when Whistler’s Image finished tailed off in the Humberstone Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Leicester.
Jim Thomson’s wins were, in chronological order:
Jim Thomson’s wins were, in chronological order:
1. Prince Tacitus, Fontwell Park, December 28, 1972
1. Prince Tacitus, Fontwell Park, December 28, 1972
2. Prince Tacitus, Fontwell Park, January 16, 1973
2. Prince Tacitus, Fontwell Park, January 16, 1973
3. Winter Chimes, Southwell, May 24, 1975
3. Winter Chimes, Southwell, May 24, 1975
4. Laredo, Market Rasen, August 23, 1975
4. Laredo, Market Rasen, August 23, 1975
5. Old Chad, Stratford-on-Avon, September 23, 1975
5. Old Chad, Stratford-on-Avon, September 23, 1975
6. Dear Remus, Southwell, August 7, 1976
6. Dear Remus, Southwell, August 7, 1976
7. Gala Lad, Warwick, December 20, 1977
7. Gala Lad, Warwick, December 20, 1977
8. Mr Wicker, Teesside Park, March 10, 1978
8. Mr Wicker, Teesside Park, March 10, 1978
9. Warren Gorse, Catterick Bridge, March 28, 1979
9. Warren Gorse, Catterick Bridge, March 28, 1979
10. Warren Gorse, Sedgefield, April 6, 1979
10. Warren Gorse, Sedgefield, April 6, 1979
Jim Thomson's first winner:
Prince Tacitus, Fontwell Park, December 28, 1972
Jim Thomson's eighth winner:
Mr Wicker, Teesside Park, March 10, 1978