With pin-up boy good looks, Brent Thomson endeared himself to crowds, but he could certainly ride

Brent Thomson is a former New Zealand jockey, who is best known for winning the Cox Plate on four occasions and his association with the champion horse Dulcify. The son of a leading trainer Kevin Thomson, Brent became the champion apprentice of New Zealand at the age of 16. He moved to Australia as a fresh-faced teenager to further his career earning the nickname ‘The Babe’ from the local racing press.

Originating from Wanganui, Thomson subsequently embarked on a journey to Australia, where he showcased his riding prowess by guiding Fury's Order to victory in the 1975 Cox Plate, despite challenging track conditions. In January 1976 he won the Auckland Cup on Perhaps at long odds. In the November 1976 he rode Kythera into third place in Van Der Hum’s famously wet Melbourne Cup. In 1977 Thomson won his second Cox Plate, on Family of Man. The press called him ‘New Zealand glamour jockey’ and ‘The Babe’ due to his youthful Hollywood looks. He settled in Melbourne as stable rider for Colin Hayes, winning the 1978 Cox Plate on So Called and the 1979 Cox Plate on the champion Dulcify. Thomson rode Dulcify in all his major wins including the AJC Derby, Victoria Derby, Rosehill Guineas and when the horse was fatally injured by Hyperno during the running of the 1979 Melbourne Cup.

Settling in Melbourne, he became the stable rider for Colin Hayes winning three jockey's premierships during his six-year association with the trainer. He also rode with success for other stables. His Group wins including the 1980 Rothmans 100,000 on Hit It Benny, 1982 Caulfield Cup, Gurner’s Lane, and 1983 Perth Cup on Bianco Lady. From 1984 to 1987 Thomson based himself in the United Kingdom, chiefly riding for owner Robert Sangster and trainers Barry Hills and Peter Walwyn, amassing more than 100 winners. In Germany he won the 1984 Baden Baden Grand Prix on Australian horse Strawberry Road. He also won the 1985 Ascot Gold Cup on Sangster’s horse Gildoran.

Upon returning to Australia, further big race success followed, winning a second Caulfield Cup and an Adelaide Cup on Lord Reims as well as a famous victory in the Australian Cup on Dandy Andy who defeated the champions Vo Rogue and Bonecrusher at long odds. From 1989 to 1992 he was based in Hong Kong, riding chiefly for trainer Brian Kan Ping-chee, but continued to visit Australia for big races. After riding winners in a total of 27 countries, finally based in Macau, Thomson retired to Australia in 2000, subsequently working for New Zealand Bloodstock agency. Flamboyant, articulate, competitive and astute, wherever he rode, Thomson was always popular with the crowds.

Thomson retired from riding in 2000 but continued to work in the bloodstock industry. In 2012 he was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame and in 2019 into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. Brent Thomson at the age of 66 has been riding work for top trainer Ciaron Maher after spending 24 years without riding a horse. Thomson regained the riding bug after riding one of Maher’s horses at a Melbourne beach in the spring. The four-time Cox Plate-winning rider said he increased his efforts, including securing a Racing Victoria trackwork rider’s licence, once his busiest period of the year passed. Thomson said he now rides multiple horses when he is at Fingal but will ride work at the hectic Cranbourne Training Centre