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Les Thompson
Les Thompson
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Having ridden five winners as an apprentice on the Flat in the 1930s, Leslie Thompson returned a decade later to add two more over jumps.
Having ridden five winners as an apprentice on the Flat in the 1930s, Leslie Thompson returned a decade later to add two more over jumps.
Apprenticed to Matthew Dobson Peacock, he had his first ride when The Close finished fifth of six runners in the Apprentice Handicap at Ayr on April 21, 1934. He rode his first winner at Newcastle on October 24 of that year when Circular Saw won a match for the Stewards’ Apprentice Plate, beating Frank Conlon aboard the odds-on favourite Summary by three lengths.
Apprenticed to Matthew Dobson Peacock, he had his first ride when The Close finished fifth of six runners in the Apprentice Handicap at Ayr on April 21, 1934. He rode his first winner at Newcastle on October 24 of that year when Circular Saw won a match for the Stewards’ Apprentice Plate, beating Frank Conlon aboard the odds-on favourite Summary by three lengths.
The five-year-old Outlaw won three races with Les in the saddle the following season. They took the Brough Apprentice Handicap at Catterick Bridge on August 2, the Garswood Handicap at Haydock Park 13 days later, and the Ripon Summer Handicap at that course on September 14,
The five-year-old Outlaw won three races with Les in the saddle the following season. They took the Brough Apprentice Handicap at Catterick Bridge on August 2, the Garswood Handicap at Haydock Park 13 days later, and the Ripon Summer Handicap at that course on September 14,
However, it was Circular Saw that provided Les with his final winner on the Flat when successful again in the Stewards’ Apprentice Plate at Newcastle on October 23. This time he had two rivals to beat, and again Frank Conlon was the last to finish. This was one of the first winners trained by Matthew James Peacock following the death of his father the previous month.
However, it was Circular Saw that provided Les with his final winner on the Flat when successful again in the Stewards’ Apprentice Plate at Newcastle on October 23. This time he had two rivals to beat, and again Frank Conlon was the last to finish. This was one of the first winners trained by Matthew James Peacock following the death of his father the previous month.
Les held a licence for a couple more seasons without success but returned after the war on November 8, 1947 to partner Aster in the Selling Handicap Hurdle at Catterick Bridge. The pair finished second, berate n six lengths by Tim Molony on Timothy Tickner.
Les held a licence for a couple more seasons without success but returned after the war on November 8, 1947 to partner Aster in the Selling Handicap Hurdle at Catterick Bridge. The pair finished second, berate n six lengths by Tim Molony on Timothy Tickner.
Les Thompson's final winner:
Water Wood, Catterick Bridge, February 19, 1949
Water Wood, Catterick Bridge, February 19, 1949
It was not until February 10, 1949 at Haydock Park that Les had his first win over jumps, when Wicklow Wolf beat Spot Cash, ridden by Tim Molony, by two lengths to claim the Wood Pit Selling Handicap Chase. He had already been placed on both of the nine-year-old’s previous starts that season, and now he took the lead at the sixth fence and was never headed.
It was not until February 10, 1949 at Haydock Park that Les had his first win over jumps, when Wicklow Wolf beat Spot Cash, ridden by Tim Molony, by two lengths to claim the Wood Pit Selling Handicap Chase. He had already been placed on both of the nine-year-old’s previous starts that season, and now he took the lead at the sixth fence and was never headed.
Just nine days later, Les scored again when 20/1 shot Water Weed got up in the closing stages to overhaul Masco and land the Masham Novices’ Chase at Catterick by two lengths. It was his first ride on the 12-year-old and they were brought down on their only subsequent start.
Just nine days later, Les scored again when 20/1 shot Water Weed got up in the closing stages to overhaul Masco and land the Masham Novices’ Chase at Catterick by two lengths. It was his first ride on the 12-year-old and they were brought down on their only subsequent start.
Les never got another chance on Wicklow Wolf as Tim Molony took over in the saddle. He had his final ride when Port Birikan was unplaced in the Rudgate Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Wetherby on January 21, 1950.
Les never got another chance on Wicklow Wolf as Tim Molony took over in the saddle. He had his final ride when Port Birikan was unplaced in the Rudgate Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Wetherby on January 21, 1950.
Les Thompson’s winners were, in chronological order:
Les Thompson’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Circular Saw, Newcastle, October 24, 1934
1. Circular Saw, Newcastle, October 24, 1934
2. Outlaw, Catterick Bridge, August 2, 1935
2. Outlaw, Catterick Bridge, August 2, 1935
3. Outlaw, Haydock Park, August 15, 1935
3. Outlaw, Haydock Park, August 15, 1935
4. Outlaw, Ripon, September 14, 1935
4. Outlaw, Ripon, September 14, 1935
5. Circular Saw, Newcastle, October 23, 1935
5. Circular Saw, Newcastle, October 23, 1935
6. Wicklow Wolf, Haydock Park, February 10, 1949
6. Wicklow Wolf, Haydock Park, February 10, 1949
7. Water Wood, Catterick Bridge, February 19, 1949
7. Water Wood, Catterick Bridge, February 19, 1949
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