SAM
COUNTRY LIFE Jump Jockey Sam Thomas is no stranger to the
THOMAS
HOW­LAST­SEASON­HAS
MADE­HIM­STRONGER
F
­orty­hooves­thundering­down­the­track,
wind­penetrating­eardrums­at­40­mph,­fet-
locks­brushing­over­6ft­of­barbarous
bracken,­the­prospect­of­plunging­beneath­a­herd
of­merciless­iron­intensifying­with­each­stride­as
you­approach­the­final­furlong,­the­sweet­aroma
of­victory­percolating­like­a­candied­crystalliza-
tion.­Is­it­little­wonder­that­horse-racing­is­one­of
the­most­dangerous,­yet­infectious­sports­in­the
world?
Gold Cup. Admittedly COUNTRY LIFE
turbulent course that many riders endure. Since
being given his start by Venetia Williams at the
tender age of seventeen Sam has had his fair
share of falls, taking a tumble at two high profile
races last season. “I’ve been knocked out several
times and its not nice, but you can’t think about
falling,” says the 25-year-old welshman.
The Abergavenny-born jockey admits that he
caught ‘the bug’ very early. “My dad bought me a
pony from the market when I was 6-years-old. I
used to do lots of show jumping, cross country,
one day events and hunting. I was very lucky to
have such great ponies which gave me valuable
experience.” As a youngster Sam entertained the
thought of becoming a professional jockey, idoliz-
ing two of racing's greatest champions; Tony
McCoy and Richard Dunwoody, but he admits
that family have been the biggest influence on
his career.
“My family have been my biggest support over
the years, but being in the industry I’m in, I’ve
been fortunate to have met
“
friends who have been a
great help over the
years.”
Last March the hard work paid
Riding against
off when Sam won one of the
racing's greatest feats, beating
stablemate Ruby Walsh to
the best only
clinch the Hennessy Gold Cup
on Denman. But after a succes- makes you
sion of high-profile falls critics
claimed his confidence was
shattered. Unseated from
better.
Kauto Star at the final fence at
Haydoch and notching up another sensational
fall only twenty four hours later on the favourite
Gwanako at Aintree’s Sefton Chase, the battle
scars etched on the jockeys angelic face were not
as severe as the invisible scars endured from a
season of disappointment.
However, always fresh faced and smiling, Sam is
determined to put last season behind him and
quash any speculation about his previously con-
troversial season.
“It became very annoying that the papers kept
harping on, but I didn’t let it get to me and just
kept my head down.”
Riding at Paul Nicholls yard, Sam had to beat
off stiff competition from stablemate and
Nicholls first jockey Ruby Walsh. There were
times last season where the jockey made head-
lines questioning his ability. After a roller
coaster of rides whilst he stepped in for injured
Ruby Walsh, Sam struggled to keep his seat on
previous Gold Cup winner Denman in this years
such a turbulent time
would have been difficult for any sportsman,
but Sam argues that competing against top
Jockeys has only made him stronger. “Riding
against the best only makes me better, you
learn so much off the likes of Tony McCoy, he’s
a one-off!”
Whilst some jockeys would have been beaten
by critics, Thomas has come back fighting and
has since made a controversial move to Tom
George’s yard. “It [the move] came at a time
where I had no real jockey job, so it was a bit of
a no brainer in my eyes,” Sam explains. “At
Tom’s yard its a first jockey job and a very
good one at that!” However, Sam is optimistic
about his appointment as stable Jockey at
George’s Gloucestershire-based yard adding,
“Compared to Mr Nicholls we have 100 less
horses so I’m hoping that that will leave me
more available to ride for other trainers.”
The Gold-cup winner remains exuberant about
the forthcoming season and is
keen to get back onto the
gallops, proclaiming,
“Tom had a fantastic sea-
son last season and this
year we are hoping it can
be bettered. I’m very ex-
cited! I’ve summered
“ well and I’m looking for-
ward to the season more
than ever, these are ex-
citing times and I’m get-
ting back into shape and
I’m raring to go!”
As for the future Sam has
some ambitious goals in mind. “I want to be in
the top ten jockeys and I would love to be a
champion jockey one day. In ten years time I
hope to be in one piece and still doing what I
love- riding winners,” he admits.
It appears unequivocal that the young Jockey
is destined for greatest in the saddle, with his
unbreakable spirit, dashing good looks and al-
ready accomplished horsemanship, Tony
McCoy watch this space!
­