Robert Thompson achieves magnificent milestone

Thompson reached the historic milestone when he booted home Lay Down The Law, trained by Pam Webber, who had won just once from 24 starts going into the race.

The 55-year-old champ raced towards the milestone after notching a treble at Muswellbrook on Friday.

There were scenes of elation and emotion as Thompson returned to scale and was bathed in champagne courtesy of his best mate Jeremy Sylvester.

He was caught up with emotion as he delivered what his late father Arthur had longed for.

“Family is special to me,” Thompson said. 

“Jenny and I have two boys Simon and Brent and one grandson, Bailey.

“Mum (Phyllis) has been a tower of strength and she was always there when needed to drive me to the races when I was too young to have a driver’s licence.

“My late father Arthur was my best mate and he wanted to be here when I rode my 4000th winner, but he passed away in May.”

The champion hoop is no stranger to headlines. He set a new Australasian record of 3372 winners back in July 2008 when he passed the record previously held by the late Jack Thompson.

Thompson’s new benchmark cements him as one of Cessnock’s most illustrious sport identities.

He confirmed after Saturday’s win that there are no immediate plans for retirement and said that he feels very grateful to have reached such success. 

Thompson was on the road again on Sunday, riding at the Mudgee meeting where he failed by a neck to add another country cup to his tally in the Goree Cup.

On May 20 Cessnock Racecourse will host a race day featuring the Robert Thompson Cessnock Cup Prelude.

The day will form part of the Cessnock Racecourse Winter Racing Carnival and the winner of the Prelude race will be exempt from ballot for the Cessnock Cup on Monday, June 2.

Newcastle Jockey Club is also planning a celebratory luncheon for Thompson, to be held in July.