Television presenter Mike Munro interviewed scores of famous Australians over the 13 years he hosted the popular series This Is Your Life.
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And, last Wednesday afternoon it was his turn to interview and present a life history of a sporting identity with a record that may stand forever, Cessnock jockey Robert Thompson.
More than 150 guests attended the tribute luncheon staged by the Newcastle Jockey Club at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, to recognise Thompson’s amazing feat of riding 4000 winners, a milestone he achieved at Broadmeadow in May this year.
A surprised Thompson was joined on stage by his wife Jenny as Munro took the audience through the jockey’s life story from the day he was born, his marriage, birth of his two sons and a whole host of successes on racetracks Australia-wide and overseas.
While in Hong Kong he rode for the Neville Begg stable and one night at Happy Valley, he rode a treble as did former jockey John Marshall, who was among the many racing identities at the luncheon.
His first group one winner was Just a Steal who took out the Australasian Spring Champion Stakes in 1978, and there were many more to follow.
Highs can often be followed by lows and this was the case when Thompson was injured in a race at Warwick Farm.
The fall sidelined the champ with a compound fracture of an ankle and doctors told him he would never ride again.
“I wanted to go out on my terms,” he said and made a triumphal return to the saddle with a win on Precise Timing in the 2006 Launceston Cup.
Guests at the luncheon came from a wide range of racing identities from stewards, to trainers, jockeys past and present and owners. Family members included his mother Phyllis, sister Jan, wife Jenny and sons Simon and Brent.
Thompson thanked NJC CEO Cameron Williams and staff at the club for staging the event.
“I will treasure this day forever and ever,” he said.