John Thompson is always a picture of concentration at the races - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Delighted to catch up with outstanding Sydney trainer John Thompson who’s coming off a great 2019/2020 season. John acknowledges the deeds of his “war horse” Dreamforce and the exciting Mamaragan who’s gearing up for an ambitious spring campaign.
The trainer pays tribute to some other stable favourites who did their bit in 2019/2020.
John shares memories of his late grandfather Vic Thompson Snr, one of the most astute horseman of his era.
He looks back on his father’s appointment as head trainer when Jack and Bob Ingham opened their lavish Crown Lodge complex at Warwick Farm.
The trainer reflects on Vic Thompson Jnr’s split with Crown Lodge. His Dad decided to train a small team of his own, with John as his right hand man.
John talks about his later decision to spread his wings and work for other trainers. He enjoyed his time with Bill Mitchell who sent him interstate with a very good horse in 1999.
He speaks with great reverence of his 8 years with the maestro Bart Cummings.
John tells the story of the phone call that led him to the biggest training job in Australian racing.
He remembers the best horses he trained under the Patinack banner including a very special mare who had only 4 race starts.
The trainer tells the story of a chance meeting with an Asian racing administrator who invited him to help with the structuring of a racing industry in China. It was just the diversion he needed at the time.
That Asian connection brought a certain mare into his life - the mare who regenerated his training career at home.
He was extremely relieved when some discerning owners started to send him horses again. One such owner was Paul Fudge who got John to take over the training of the imported Sir John Hawkwood. It resulted in a Gr 1 win.
John talks of his wife Nicolle, who’s a daughter of former multiple Gr 1 winning trainer Rod Craig. He says he gets his father-in-law to help out from time to time.
He explains that the racing genes haven’t extended to the next Thompson generation.
(Banner image - Sir John Hawkwood and Blake Spriggs on their way to a Group 1 win in the Metropolitan - courtesy Bradley Photographers.)
First Seal finally gets her Gr. 1 - The Flight Stakes - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
John and Kathy O’Hara after a Rosehill win with Zanbagh. In the background is Caryl Williamson, a respected journalist whose recent passing saddened the Sydney racing media - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
John with his all time favourite First Seal - courtesy Bradley Photographers.