Brett Thompson pulled off a training performance worthy of the Hygain/Mitavite monthly award when he dominated the Gulgong Cup meeting on June 12th. The hard working horseman won four of the seven races, and also provided two second placegetters.
Brett’s winners were Latest News, Eightsides, Hampton Cove and Larynx who vindicated his short quote in winning the Gulgong Gold Cup - Brett’s fifth success in his hometown feature. Apprentice Ronald Simpson rode Latest News, while in form Jake Pracey-Holmes handled the others with great skill.
There are few busier or more diversified horse trainers in country NSW than Brett Thompson. A natural horseman from his early years, Brett went on to master the art of shearing before opting for a complete change of career direction in the mid 2000’s. He became owner and publican of the Court House Hotel in Mudgee, but the lure of the thoroughbred was never far away.
Brett talks to Sky Racing after the Randwick TAB Highway win - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
For a few years he ran the pub and found the time to hobby train a few horses. By 2011 he’d established himself as a full time trainer with extensive farming interests. A decade later the indefatigable Thompson has 35-40 racehorses in work, runs 2000 crossbred ewes and cultivates his own grain, barley and hay. He’s the true definition of the sunrise to sunset man all year round.
Brett’s the first to admit none of his achievements would be possible without the devoted support of family - wife Kelly, sons Ben, Kurt and Jai and daughter Nikki. The Thompson team has turned out more than 400 winners since getting serious about horse training. They’ve won a string of NSW country Cups and tasted metropolitan success several times. Brett regards wins with Slate On Edge in two legs of Racing Victoria’s Subzero Challenge as his career highlight.
Two Western Districts premierships and seven Central Districts titles vindicate his decision to give professional horse training a serious crack. The supreme accolade came in 2016 when he was named NSW Country Trainer Of The Year. His latest award brings him twelve complimentary bags of the Hygain/Mitavite product of his choice. He’s already nominated Hygain Breeda as his preferred product.
The first of Amy's Shadow's two TAB Highway wins - Rosehill 12/09/2020 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
(Banner image - Jason Collett rode Amy's Shadow in both TAB Highway wins. Here's the second at Randwick 10/10/2020 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.)