Sam Thomas
Sam Thomas was born on June 22 1984 in Abergavenny, Wales.
Sam Thomas was born on June 22 1984 in Abergavenny, Wales.
Standing 5' 9", his racing career began at David Evans’ yard, only a few miles from his family home. It was there that his love of horse racing was firmly established. He didn’t come from a racing background but managed to convince his parents to allow him to attend the British Racing School.
Standing 5' 9", his racing career began at David Evans’ yard, only a few miles from his family home. It was there that his love of horse racing was firmly established. He didn’t come from a racing background but managed to convince his parents to allow him to attend the British Racing School.
Having spent a year with Evans, he joined trainer Venetia Williams when he was 17. There he had the opportunity to look after some very smart horses including Banker Count. Sam travelled to Japan with the horse to run in the world’s richest steeplechase, the Nakayama Grand Jump.
Having spent a year with Evans, he joined trainer Venetia Williams when he was 17. There he had the opportunity to look after some very smart horses including Banker Count. Sam travelled to Japan with the horse to run in the world’s richest steeplechase, the Nakayama Grand Jump.
It took a couple of seasons for Sam’s career to take off, but the age of 20 he had already ridden out his claim and soon found himself as Williams’s stable jockey. Together they enjoyed many successes including the 2004 Lanzarote Hurdle with Limerick Boy.
It took a couple of seasons for Sam’s career to take off, but the age of 20 he had already ridden out his claim and soon found himself as Williams’s stable jockey. Together they enjoyed many successes including the 2004 Lanzarote Hurdle with Limerick Boy.
He later joined top National Hunt trainer Paul Nicholls, a move that presented him with a great opportunity to ride some of the most talented racehorses in the sport. The major race wins soon came, starting in 2007 when he won the Betfair Chase on Kauto Star. In December 2008 he won two more Grade 1 chases, landing the Tingle Creek Chase on Twist Magic and Leopardstown’s Lexus Chase on What A Friend.
He later joined top National Hunt trainer Paul Nicholls, a move that presented him with a great opportunity to ride some of the most talented racehorses in the sport. The major race wins soon came, starting in 2007 when he won the Betfair Chase on Kauto Star. In December 2008 he won two more Grade 1 chases, landing the Tingle Creek Chase on Twist Magic and Leopardstown’s Lexus Chase on What A Friend.
But the horse with which he will always be associated is Denman. During the 2007-08 campaign they won the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, returning to Newbury in February to win the Grade 2 AON Chase. Then in March Sam achieved the pinnacle of his riding career when winning the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Denman, beating stablemate Kauto Star to claim the most prestigious Grade 1 chase in National Hunt racing.
But the horse with which he will always be associated is Denman. During the 2007-08 campaign they won the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, returning to Newbury in February to win the Grade 2 AON Chase. Then in March Sam achieved the pinnacle of his riding career when winning the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Denman, beating stablemate Kauto Star to claim the most prestigious Grade 1 chase in National Hunt racing.
Sam was unable to build on his career-best total of 88 wins that season. In 2009 he was appointed stable jockey to Gloucestershire trainer Tom George. However, reunited with Denman, they finished second to Long Run in the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Sam was unable to build on his career-best total of 88 wins that season. In 2009 he was appointed stable jockey to Gloucestershire trainer Tom George. However, reunited with Denman, they finished second to Long Run in the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
After more than 10 years as a professional jockey, Sam announced his retirement in 2015, having ridden more than 500 winners, to take up training in Lambourn. But, he showed he has lost no riding prowess when winning the charity flat race at Chepstow in October 2017. He hinted following that success that he may yet consider making a comeback to the saddle.
After more than 10 years as a professional jockey, Sam announced his retirement in 2015, having ridden more than 500 winners, to take up training in Lambourn. But, he showed he has lost no riding prowess when winning the charity flat race at Chepstow in October 2017. He hinted following that success that he may yet consider making a comeback to the saddle.