With respect, I note that Gordon Thompson bought two fillies from Trentham Sales, with his own money - the subsequent winners Subtrist and Minglow. He bred, owned, and trained Middy ( NZ Cup, etc.) from one and Show Gate from the other. Not a bad record, I’d say !
He bred/owned/trained many other very good gallopers. At least once he won all three races on the card with his only three entries. He bred two Black Type horses from Show Gate, one of which , Every Show, held the mile record at Riccarton until the track was altered. He imported the subsequent leading sire Gatekeeper which he stood on his own Stud, making a number of S.I. breeders very successful, including the Dennis bothers, He was an absolute gentleman who would not have criticised even one of us, nor our horses. He put his own money up, backed his own product and, incidentally, left several of his riders a substantial handout in his will.
Yes, we are all entitled to our views from the side, many of which have been aired here, but who can achieve the same hands on success as Gordon Thompson ? I can’t.......can you ?
