Robert Thompson 準備創下最多勝利紀錄
Robert Thompson has set an Australian riding record with his victory on Promised at Port Macquarie today.
Jockey Robert Thompson's feat to establish a record for the most numbers of winners by an Australian has drawn accolades from all facets of the industry.
Thompson, who turned 50 in May, equalled the late Jack Thompson's 3322 winners at Scone on Sunday and set a new standard when he rode Promised to win at Port Macquarie.
As a measure of Thompson's capabilities, he is rarely called to the stewards' room, something Racing NSW chief stipe Ray Murrihy says is testament to the man.
"The label champion is bandied about but the test I like to apply is longevity and Robert has been at the top of his profession for longer than anyone," Murrihy said.
"There are plenty of jockeys around but he is a horseman.
"He has a genuine respect for the industry and respect for his fellow riders.
"He rides very safely, he never takes unnecessary risks yet he still gets the results."
Eight-time Sydney premiership winning jockey Ron Quinton rode against both Thompsons and is now employed by Racing NSW with duties that include mentoring young riders.
"Robert is a complete horseman, a real expert," Quinton said.
"He's done it all, he's won Group One races in Sydney and he hasn't changed a bit, he's still a great bloke and a great rider."
"Robert is a great example to the young riders today, we'd love to have everyone conduct themselves the way he does on and off the track."
As a young man, Quinton learned what he could from Jack Thompson.
"He was a champion fella and a great horse person, one of the greats," he said.
"I couldn't speak higher of somebody than I could of Jack."
"When I was a young rider coming through I always looked to him for advice and he was usually right with what he offered."
Champion jockey Darren Beadman, who is now riding in Hong Kong, was just starting out when Jack Thompson was nearing the end of his career but has seen a lot of Robert Thompson.
"It is a great feat," Beadman said.
"Wherever he has gone he has been able to ride winners."
Guy Walter is an established Group One trainer and has fond memories of his first win at the elite level when Thompson steered Sharscay to win the 1995 Canterbury Guineas.
"Robert rode my first Group One winner on Sharscay and has ridden a lot of other winners for me," Walter said.
"He is an ornament to racing.
"Robert is not only a great rider but he is a person of great integrity and is admired by everyone in the game.
"I am full of admiration for him especially the way he came back after that serious injury."
Thompson spent almost two years out of the saddle after he broke his ankle in a fall at Warwick Farm in January 2004.
His old friend Ross Stitt who trains at Taree was one who welcomed him back and in February of 2006 the pair combined with grand campaigner Precise Timing to take out the Launceston Cup.
This year they had even more success when Thompson rode the Stitt-owned Allan Denham-trained Heavenly Glow to two Group One victories in the Arrowfield Stud Stakes and the AJC Australian Oaks.
"He deserves every accolade he gets, he's such a hard worker and a wonderful horseman and he's at the top of his game right now and it's great to see him having so much success," Stitt said.
"His rides on Heavenly Glow were phenomenal, she has been great for both of us, after nearly 30 years as mates to come up with a Group One star like her is very special, particularly in the twilight of our careers."
Trainer Kevin Moses, who won three Sydney riding titles, also rode against both Robert and Jack Thompson.
"He (Robert) is a great jockey and a great fella," Moses said.
"And Jack was a great man too and he helped me when I first started and was a very good rider and rode until he was about 60."
Moses said there was no reason why Thompson could not continue riding winners for a long time to come.
"He showed in that ride on The Jackal in the Ramornie Handicap how good he is, that was a great ride and he just keeps pulling them out," Moses said.
Although he frequently rides at city meetings, Thompson prefers the country life and has resisted all attempts to get him to leave the NSW Hunter Valley town of Cessnock.
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