M L Thomas
1945 - 2022
1945 - 2022
Born in Caernarvon, Gwynedd, Wales on February 8, 1945, Myrddin Lloyd Thomas (always known as Taffy Thomas) peaked in 1977 when he rode 98 winners, just five fewer than Lester Piggott.
Born in Caernarvon, Gwynedd, Wales on February 8, 1945, Myrddin Lloyd Thomas (always known as Taffy Thomas) peaked in 1977 when he rode 98 winners, just five fewer than Lester Piggott.
The son of a cobbler, Taffy spent five years apprenticed to Geoffrey Barling until joining Ryan Jarvis in 1968.
The son of a cobbler, Taffy spent five years apprenticed to Geoffrey Barling until joining Ryan Jarvis in 1968.
During his time at Barling's, he was sent down to Anne Hammond's riding school at Stretchworth which helped many apprentices' careers.
During his time at Barling's, he was sent down to Anne Hammond's riding school at Stretchworth which helped many apprentices' careers.
His first win came at Hurst Park on August 31 1962 when he won on Weather Way, but he had to wait until 1967 (Northumberland Plate, Piaco) for his first big race success.
His first win came at Hurst Park on August 31 1962 when he won on Weather Way, but he had to wait until 1967 (Northumberland Plate, Piaco) for his first big race success.
Other major wins followed; Lincoln Handicap (Quizair), two Stewards' Cups (Royal Smoke & Import), two Cambridgeshires (Emerilo, subject of a huge gamble & Sagamore), Cesarewitch (Cider with Rosie) and, his biggest win, the King's Stand Stakes in 1983 with Sayf El Arab. He also took two Dante Stakes (Activator & Lucky Sovereign) and the Vernons Sprint (Absalom).
Other major wins followed; Lincoln Handicap (Quizair), two Stewards' Cups (Royal Smoke & Import), two Cambridgeshires (Emerilo, subject of a huge gamble & Sagamore), Cesarewitch (Cider with Rosie) and, his biggest win, the King's Stand Stakes in 1983 with Sayf El Arab. He also took two Dante Stakes (Activator & Lucky Sovereign) and the Vernons Sprint (Absalom).
For all this, from 1978, he made a lesser impact that may have been expected, winning about 20 races per season only.
For all this, from 1978, he made a lesser impact that may have been expected, winning about 20 races per season only.
He was badly injured when Bedwell Boy jumped the rails and fell in a two-horse race at Ripon in July 1983.
He was badly injured when Bedwell Boy jumped the rails and fell in a two-horse race at Ripon in July 1983.
He spent most of his winters racing in India where, despite still being an apprentice, he was required to take out a full jockey's licence.
He spent most of his winters racing in India where, despite still being an apprentice, he was required to take out a full jockey's licence.
Taffy Thomas lived at 6 Houldsworth Terrace, Newmarket, and enjoyed swimming and football. He nominated Newcastle as his favourite racecourse.
Taffy Thomas lived at 6 Houldsworth Terrace, Newmarket, and enjoyed swimming and football. He nominated Newcastle as his favourite racecourse.
His height was 4ft 10 inches.
His height was 4ft 10 inches.
In a career that stretched from 1961 to 1990 Taffy managed to ride 878 winners as a lightweight, his best total being the 98 he rode in 1977 when finishing 6th in the jockeys' championship table.
In a career that stretched from 1961 to 1990 Taffy managed to ride 878 winners as a lightweight, his best total being the 98 he rode in 1977 when finishing 6th in the jockeys' championship table.
One of Taffy's favourite claims to fame was that he once knocked out Davy Jones of the Monkees in a stable lads boxing bout, his other was getting arrested for joyriding in 1981 when the police mistook him and his three passengers (all fellow jockeys, Alan Bond being one) for kids. They were later released without charge but missed their booked rides and never found out who had reported Taffy's car as stolen...!
One of Taffy's favourite claims to fame was that he once knocked out Davy Jones of the Monkees in a stable lads boxing bout, his other was getting arrested for joyriding in 1981 when the police mistook him and his three passengers (all fellow jockeys, Alan Bond being one) for kids. They were later released without charge but missed their booked rides and never found out who had reported Taffy's car as stolen...!
Taffy's biggest regret was losing the rides on the two best horses he rode, Tower Walk & Absalom, each time to the maestro Lester, though he did ride Tower Walk to finish 2nd in the 1969 2000 Guineas to Right Tack, the closest he came to a Classic success.
Taffy's biggest regret was losing the rides on the two best horses he rode, Tower Walk & Absalom, each time to the maestro Lester, though he did ride Tower Walk to finish 2nd in the 1969 2000 Guineas to Right Tack, the closest he came to a Classic success.
He did technically ride a Classic winner ie Peleid, to victory in the Magnet Cup in 1973 carrying 7st 9 lbs, two months before the horse went on to win the St Leger.
He did technically ride a Classic winner ie Peleid, to victory in the Magnet Cup in 1973 carrying 7st 9 lbs, two months before the horse went on to win the St Leger.
On March 16, 1973, he married Sallie Christine Beets; she gave him two daughters, Diana and Amy.
On March 16, 1973, he married Sallie Christine Beets; she gave him two daughters, Diana and Amy.
When he returned to England from Singapore in 1990 he became a work rider for the late Alex Scott and stayed when Ed Dunlop took over.
When he returned to England from Singapore in 1990 he became a work rider for the late Alex Scott and stayed when Ed Dunlop took over.
The following story comes from a racegoer...
The following story comes from a racegoer...
'I was at Warwick races one Saturday in 1974. Taffy was on the favourite in the 12f feature sponsored handicap and he was caught trapped on the rails 2f out, eventually finishing third. As the horses were being unsaddled, Taffy suddenly grabbed trainer Ben Hanbury by his jacket lapels and threatened to put his lights out. Hanbury had accused Thomas of riding an 'injudicious' race. Two days later at the Nottingham evening meeting, racegoers were saying to Ben Hanbury as he passed, 'Watch out Ben, Taffy's looking for you!'.
'I was at Warwick races one Saturday in 1974. Taffy was on the favourite in the 12f feature sponsored handicap and he was caught trapped on the rails 2f out, eventually finishing third. As the horses were being unsaddled, Taffy suddenly grabbed trainer Ben Hanbury by his jacket lapels and threatened to put his lights out. Hanbury had accused Thomas of riding an 'injudicious' race. Two days later at the Nottingham evening meeting, racegoers were saying to Ben Hanbury as he passed, 'Watch out Ben, Taffy's looking for you!'.
Hanbury was such a toffee nose that he couldn't see the funny side of it.'
Hanbury was such a toffee nose that he couldn't see the funny side of it.'
Taffy Thomas died on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 in a hospice close to his home in Cheveley near Newmarket, aged 76
Taffy Thomas died on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 in a hospice close to his home in Cheveley near Newmarket, aged 76
M.L. (Taffy) Thomas
M.L. (Taffy) Thomas
Big winners:
Big winners:
1964: Bunbury Cup – Passenger
1964: Bunbury Cup – Passenger
1965: Old Newton Cup – Atilla
1965: Old Newton Cup – Atilla
1966: Doncaster Cup – Piaco
1966: Doncaster Cup – Piaco
1967: Northumberland Plate – Piaco
1967: Northumberland Plate – Piaco
1968: Thirsk Hunt Cup – Emerilo
1968: Thirsk Hunt Cup – Emerilo
1968: Ribblesdale Stakes – Pandora Bay
1968: Ribblesdale Stakes – Pandora Bay
1968: National Stakes – Tower Walk
1968: National Stakes – Tower Walk
1968: Flying Childers Stakes – Tower Walk
1968: Flying Childers Stakes – Tower Walk
1968: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Emerilo
1968: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Emerilo
1969: Greenham Stakes – Tower Walk
1969: Greenham Stakes – Tower Walk
1969: Stewards Cup – Royal Smoke
1969: Stewards Cup – Royal Smoke
1970: Gosforth Park Cup – Pretty Form
1970: Gosforth Park Cup – Pretty Form
1971: Windsor Castle Stakes – Dawn Review
1971: Windsor Castle Stakes – Dawn Review
1972: Cesarewitch Handicap – Cider With Rosie
1972: Cesarewitch Handicap – Cider With Rosie
1973: Ribblesdale Stakes – Miss Petard
1973: Ribblesdale Stakes – Miss Petard
1973: King George V Handicap – Zab
1973: King George V Handicap – Zab
1973: Magnet Cup – Peleid
1973: Magnet Cup – Peleid
1974: Lincoln Handicap – Quizair
1974: Lincoln Handicap – Quizair
1976: Great Jubilee Handicap – Royal Match
1976: Great Jubilee Handicap – Royal Match
1975: Stewards Cup – Import
1975: Stewards Cup – Import
1976: Coventry Stakes – Cawston’s Clown
1976: Coventry Stakes – Cawston’s Clown
1976: Bessborough Stakes – Royal Match
1976: Bessborough Stakes – Royal Match
1976: Wokingham Stakes – Import
1976: Wokingham Stakes – Import
1977: Free Handicap – Mrs McArdy
1977: Free Handicap – Mrs McArdy
1977: Magnet Cup – Air Trooper
1977: Magnet Cup – Air Trooper
1977: Cornwallis Stakes – Absalom
1977: Cornwallis Stakes – Absalom
1977: November Handicap – Sailcloth
1977: November Handicap – Sailcloth
1978: Temple Stakes – Smarten Up (dead-heat)
1978: Temple Stakes – Smarten Up (dead-heat)
1978: Haydock Sprint Cup – Absalom
1978: Haydock Sprint Cup – Absalom
1983: King’s Stand Stakes – Sayf El Arab
1983: King’s Stand Stakes – Sayf El Arab
1983: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Sagamore
1983: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Sagamore
1984: Palace House Stakes – Reesh
1984: Palace House Stakes – Reesh
1984: King George V Handicap – Rough Pearl
1984: King George V Handicap – Rough Pearl
1986: Wokingham Stakes – Touch Of Grey
1986: Wokingham Stakes – Touch Of Grey
1988: Chester Cup – Old Hubert
1988: Chester Cup – Old Hubert