Mark Bradley was kind enough to send me a photo he discovered recently in the Bradley Photographers archives. This is a precious piece of racing memorabilia from the Wyong jockeys room in 1973.
The jockeys shared a common surname but are not even remotely related. On the left is Jack Thompson, 50 years old at the time, who rode his first winner at Tamworth in 1938 and his last at Wyong in 1985. At the time of his retirement Jack held the Australian record of 3322 career wins.
He won 41 races which today have Group 1 classification. They include a Golden Slipper, AJC and VRC Derbies, four Doncasters, two Epsoms and a Sydney Cup. He finished second three times in the Melbourne Cup.
On the right is rising star Robert Thompson who was barely 15 years old and had ridden his first winner only weeks before this picture was snapped. Jack Thompson eventually retired at age 62. Robert (63) is still having the occasional race ride but has drastically reduced his workload.
By an amazing coincidence it was Robert who bettered Jack Thompson’s Australian benchmark in 2008. He now reigns supreme as the nation’s all time record holder with 4447 career wins including seven at Gr 1 level. Jack’s interest in the progress of young jockeys was well documented throughout his long career. It’s not hard to tell little Robert Thompson from Cessnock was hanging on every word uttered by the maestro.
After a brief stint as a trainer, the great Jack Thompson passed away in 1992 aged 70.
Robert in his first season of riding. He now holds the all time Australian record number of winners - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
One for the memorabilia buffs in the Wyong jockeys room in 1973. Veteran Jack Thompson chats with his namesake 15yo Robert. The two were not related - courtesy Bradley Photographers.