John Thompson
John Thompson
John Thompson
1880-1913
1880-1913
John Thompson was born in Bunclody, Co. Wexford, on December 13, 1880, and was apprenticed to Senator J.J. (Jim) Parkinson at Maddenstown Lodge in 1898. He achieved his first victory on Wink at Tralee in 1898 and went on to ride 500 winners. He dominated the jockeys’ championship in the early years of the 20th century and became the first Irish jockey to employ the much-ridiculed ‘monkey-up-a-stick’ style introduced to Europe by American jockeys.
John Thompson was born in Bunclody, Co. Wexford, on December 13, 1880, and was apprenticed to Senator J.J. (Jim) Parkinson at Maddenstown Lodge in 1898. He achieved his first victory on Wink at Tralee in 1898 and went on to ride 500 winners. He dominated the jockeys’ championship in the early years of the 20th century and became the first Irish jockey to employ the much-ridiculed ‘monkey-up-a-stick’ style introduced to Europe by American jockeys.
He had his first major success when winning the 1900 Cambridgeshire at Newmarket on the Philip Behan-trained Berrill, foiling Tod Sloan’s massive gamble on his own mount, Codoman. After the race, Sloan’s abusive behaviour towards Thompson was reported to the stewards, which led to the whole story of the gamble being revealed, resulting in an abrupt ending to Sloan’s riding career in England.
He had his first major success when winning the 1900 Cambridgeshire at Newmarket on the Philip Behan-trained Berrill, foiling Tod Sloan’s massive gamble on his own mount, Codoman. After the race, Sloan’s abusive behaviour towards Thompson was reported to the stewards, which led to the whole story of the gamble being revealed, resulting in an abrupt ending to Sloan’s riding career in England.
Thompson rode for Jim Parkinson throughout his career and was champion jockey nine times in Ireland, from 1902 to 1907 and from 1910 to 1912. In 1911 he was joint champion with John Doyle.
Thompson rode for Jim Parkinson throughout his career and was champion jockey nine times in Ireland, from 1902 to 1907 and from 1910 to 1912. In 1911 he was joint champion with John Doyle.
In 1909, he rode four winners from five rides at Epsom’s Derby meeting, all trained by Senator Parkinson. He finished second in the Irish Derby three times, on Royal Winkfield in 1901, Steinhager in 1906 and Drinmore in 1911.
In 1909, he rode four winners from five rides at Epsom’s Derby meeting, all trained by Senator Parkinson. He finished second in the Irish Derby three times, on Royal Winkfield in 1901, Steinhager in 1906 and Drinmore in 1911.
His last ride in England was on Sleipner, who finished eighth of 18 runners in the Chesterfield Nursery Plate at Derby on November 12, 1912.
His last ride in England was on Sleipner, who finished eighth of 18 runners in the Chesterfield Nursery Plate at Derby on November 12, 1912.
Sleipner was also his final ride in public when finishing second on Sleipner in the Baldoyle Derby on May 13, 1913.
Sleipner was also his final ride in public when finishing second on Sleipner in the Baldoyle Derby on May 13, 1913.
On May 15, whilst schooling Willie Wagtail over hurdles, he was thrown and suffered a fractured skull. He was taken to hospital critically injured. He never recovered consciousness, and died during the evening on May 29th. He was 32.
On May 15, whilst schooling Willie Wagtail over hurdles, he was thrown and suffered a fractured skull. He was taken to hospital critically injured. He never recovered consciousness, and died during the evening on May 29th. He was 32.