Thomas’ Blog May 2022

May is here and summertime is just around the corner. It’s great to be finally getting some warmer weather, but it means that National Hunt racing is slowly winding down for the summer.

It was fantastic to start the new season off with a big Saturday winner at Haydock, coming first in the Pertemps Network £50,0000 Long Distance Hurdle race aboard Romeo Brown for Sue Smith. Romeo Brown was very tough to win over 3 miles from the front and jump as well as he did.  I’m very proud of the little horse and how far he has progressed this year. This was the horse’s and my own biggest career success and it was a great day at Haydock. 

 As May rolls on I head to Sedgefield for two rides for Sue Smith. A new horse to the yard “Onesoc” seems to have settled in well–he runs in the two mile novice hurdle. We are hoping for a nice run to get to know him and see how he takes to the track this side of the Irish Sea. I’ll also ride North Parade in the two mile handicap hurdle. He’s a nice big horse but he’s still very inexperienced even though he’s won over hurdles at Sedgefield before. Just like Onesoc we’re hoping for a nice run.  

 Another highlight of May has to be winning on the Simon Waugh trained Dan Gun at Cartmel last Monday. He’s a horse that I’ve ridden four times now and he’s always given me the impression that he would be capable of winning a race or two. He jumped really well and ended up winning by two lengths.

 Racing is definitely getting quieter now and as we move on towards the summer. I’m looking forward to having some time off and relaxing away from horses in a few weeks. 

 Please see below some photographs from this month’s winners. Hope you’re all well, and I’m looking forward to writing again next month!