Jimmy Thompson
1917 - 1995
1917 - 1995
The son of a miner, Jimmy Thompson was born at Shieldfield, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on June 2, 1917.
The son of a miner, Jimmy Thompson was born at Shieldfield, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on June 2, 1917.
Opportunities for a boy leaving school in the early 1930s were far from bright. The boom years were over and the depression was taking hold for a vast number of working-class families in the north-east of England. Rather than following in his father’s footsteps or finding a job in the shipyards, Jimmy answered an advertisement in a local evening newspaper seeking apprentices at Signor Juan Torterolo’s sable at Chantilly. Being not many inches over four feet and not many ounces over four stone, he was tailor-made for the job.
Opportunities for a boy leaving school in the early 1930s were far from bright. The boom years were over and the depression was taking hold for a vast number of working-class families in the north-east of England. Rather than following in his father’s footsteps or finding a job in the shipyards, Jimmy answered an advertisement in a local evening newspaper seeking apprentices at Signor Juan Torterolo’s sable at Chantilly. Being not many inches over four feet and not many ounces over four stone, he was tailor-made for the job.
Having obtained parental consent, and with no experience whatsoever of horses but a fixed determination to learn, in 1930, at the age of 13, Jimmy exchanged the grime and industrial clamour of Tyneside for the elegance of a Chantilly racing stable.
Having obtained parental consent, and with no experience whatsoever of horses but a fixed determination to learn, in 1930, at the age of 13, Jimmy exchanged the grime and industrial clamour of Tyneside for the elegance of a Chantilly racing stable.
He did very well in France, twice heading the list of winning apprentices and riding 105 winners, including the Longchamp Gold Cup on Pons Legend, before returning to England in 1938 for an operation.
He did very well in France, twice heading the list of winning apprentices and riding 105 winners, including the Longchamp Gold Cup on Pons Legend, before returning to England in 1938 for an operation.
He stayed because of the looming threat of war and immediately volunteered for the Army. However, he was turned down for military service on medical grounds and spent the war years working in the shipbuilding factories on Tyneside.
He stayed because of the looming threat of war and immediately volunteered for the Army. However, he was turned down for military service on medical grounds and spent the war years working in the shipbuilding factories on Tyneside.
He returned to racing in 1946, riding initially for Gerald Armstrong, then for Ernie Davey at Malton and then accepted a retainer from Rufus Beasley, who at that time had one of the most powerful stables in the north.
He returned to racing in 1946, riding initially for Gerald Armstrong, then for Ernie Davey at Malton and then accepted a retainer from Rufus Beasley, who at that time had one of the most powerful stables in the north.
His most successful season was in 1950 when his 64 winners included the Ebor on Cadzow Oak for Malton trainer Joe Thwaites and the Princess Margaret Stakes and Cornwallis Stakes on William Bellerby’s good filly Par Avion. He also rode the 40-1outsider Persia in that year’s Derby and won five races on Persia during the season.
His most successful season was in 1950 when his 64 winners included the Ebor on Cadzow Oak for Malton trainer Joe Thwaites and the Princess Margaret Stakes and Cornwallis Stakes on William Bellerby’s good filly Par Avion. He also rode the 40-1outsider Persia in that year’s Derby and won five races on Persia during the season.
Jimmy rode 220 winners in seven seasons before being forced to retire, having lost an eye at Newcastle on April 19, 1954, when a stone hit him in the face. His last winner was Royal Challenger at Stockton two days earlier, on April 17, 1954.
Jimmy rode 220 winners in seven seasons before being forced to retire, having lost an eye at Newcastle on April 19, 1954, when a stone hit him in the face. His last winner was Royal Challenger at Stockton two days earlier, on April 17, 1954.
He began training at Malton later that year. In 1968 owner David Robinson chose him to succeed Bruce Hobbs as his private trainer at Carlburg stables in Newmarket. Jimmy stayed there for nearly two years, during which time he trained the winners of 48 races, notably Enrico (Victoria Cup), My Swanee (Duke of York Handicap) and Starry Halo (Blue Riband Trial). He then returned to Yorkshire, where he trained for several more years.
He began training at Malton later that year. In 1968 owner David Robinson chose him to succeed Bruce Hobbs as his private trainer at Carlburg stables in Newmarket. Jimmy stayed there for nearly two years, during which time he trained the winners of 48 races, notably Enrico (Victoria Cup), My Swanee (Duke of York Handicap) and Starry Halo (Blue Riband Trial). He then returned to Yorkshire, where he trained for several more years.
Jimmy Thompson died near Thirsk on March 6, 1995, aged 77. His funeral took place at Husthwaite Parish Church, near Thirsk, followed by cremation at York.
Jimmy Thompson died near Thirsk on March 6, 1995, aged 77. His funeral took place at Husthwaite Parish Church, near Thirsk, followed by cremation at York.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1950: Carlisle Bell – Cadzow Oak
1950: Carlisle Bell – Cadzow Oak
1950: Ebor Handicap – Cadzow Oak
1950: Ebor Handicap – Cadzow Oak
1950: Cornwallis Stakes – Par Avion
1950: Cornwallis Stakes – Par Avion
1952: Thirsk Classic Trial – Misty Nook
1952: Thirsk Classic Trial – Misty Nook
Article by Chas Hammond
Article by Chas Hammond
Photos courtesy Chris Pitt
Photos courtesy Chris Pitt