Gilgandra race track will always hold a special place in Mudgee trainer Brett Thompson’s life after he scored his first win as a trainer there on New Year’s Day.
Thompson only took out his public trainer’s licence 11 weeks ago and had only had a handful of starters prior to his first winner.
At Gilgandra on Thursday Thompson saddled up two runners and in the first race of the day Prinsipe (5/2 third favourite), ridden by Ken Dunbar won his maiden over 1550 metres to give Thompson his first winner as a trainer.
Prinsipe, who was previously trained by Max Crockett, had only had four starts for Thompson since he took over the horse and he had run two thirds and a second prior to his maiden win.
Thompson had already shown that he has ability and is prepared to tackle the best when last month he took his 2YO Hewentwhoosh to Sydney.
At his first start Hewentwhoosh missed the start and was many lengths from the second last runner and came with a strong finish to be placed fourth and only a length behind Turf Express, from the Gai Waterhouse stable.
Turf Express is considered to be a Golden Slipper hopeful for the coming autumn carnival.
Thompson returned to Sydney two weeks later and again ran fourth against some very promising youngsters.
He has now sent the horse for a spell and is looking forward to campaigning him in Sydney during the autumn carnival.
Thompson has six horses in work including Aneo (by Don Eduardo and bred at Gooree Pastoral Company), Gilgunyah and Jay Boy.
“Only two of them are racing at the moment,” Thompson said.
“I’m not sure about my next runner but I plan to take Prinsipe in Hawkesbury in three weeks and step him up in distance as he is bred to stay.”
Thompson has been involved in horses for some 24 years.
“I have helped my dad (Percy who is also a trainer) and owned horses with him and he suggested I look at taking out a trainer’s licence,” he said.
“His suggestion gave me the urge, I love horses and decided to try to see if I could succeed as a trainer.
“I am very pleased with what I have achieved in a short time and now my major goal in life is to become a successful public trainer.”
Thompson said he has appreciate the help and encouragement he has received from family and friends.
“Steve Stackpool has been a great help and will come and feed when I can’t and Jack Lecke has also helped me a lot,” he said.
“My son Ben rides track work for me and Jay, another son, is also very helpful after school and on weekends and holidays in helping me.”