Sam Thomas Injuries could mean he is out of Cheltenham races
Next week’s Cheltenham Gold Cup Festival will return, once more, as the highlight of horse racing and a place for the best horses and jockeys in the sport to show just what they’re made of. This year’s March Festival is slated for the 16 – 19 of the Month, and the tickets are selling fast, and the odds are changing so quickly it’s dizzying. Unfortunately, one very popular and successful jockey will not be riding in this year’s Cup. Sam Thomas has officially been ruled out of this year’s Cheltenham festival following the injuries that the young Gold-Cup winning jockey sustained on Thursday during a gallop session.
Though his injuries were considerable, the foremost being a fracture to one of his upper cervical vertebrae. Thankfully they are not as dire as had been feared at first. Sam Thomas is able to move his feet and hands, and to talk. This report is according to the stable’s trainer, Tom George. The incident has left many of us with mixed feelings. While we all are obviously saddened that Sam Thomas will not be among the competitors vying for victory in this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, we cannot help but be relieved that the 2008 Cup’s Champion Jockey’s chances of a full recovery look promising. This would mean that Sam will not only walk again, but that there remains the hope that one day we will have the fun of seeing him once more atop a winning horse.
Sam Thomas, a Welshman who began his career at 16 is a graduate of the British Racing School. He is considered by some to be among that school’s finest alumni. Thomas is currently the second-string jockey for Paul Nicholls’ stable, and it is has been his association with Nicholl’s that has enabled Sam Thomas to have the opportunity to shine by riding some truly fine horses. In addition to riding Nicholl’s
Denman to victory in Cheltenham’s Grade 1 National Hunt Racing event in 2008, he also took home a first place win in the 2007 Betfair riding Kauto Star. In the 2008, due to an injury to Nicholl’s top rider, Ruby Walsh, Sam Thomas rode Noland to victory in the John Durkan Memorial Chase in Punchestown.
Some might argue that Thomas would have a lot more wins to his credit if he were not riding in the shadow of Ruby Walsh, who is only allowed to ride the best of Nicholl’s stable when the first string rider is injured or unavailable. Others will point out that Sam Thomas, while the darling of the press for his looks and charm has had more than his share of problems, especially during last season. Still, while Walsh remains Paul Nicholl’s favorite, Thomas position of second in line in Nicholl’s stables doesn’t seem to be at jeopardy, which wasn’t the case before Thursday’s incident. There is no doubt that this serious injury sustained by Sam Thomas might threaten his place in the rider hierarchy at the stables. After all, the recuperation time for spinal injuries can be long and time consuming. In addition, the speculation of who will take his place until he is well enough to ride again has already begun, and with this, last season’s ugly rumors about Tony McCoy being slated to take Thomas’ spot have resurfaced. Still, this talk of any interim replacement must remain sheer conjecture until we learn whether the young jockey’s optimistic prognosis of the moment is proved to be correct.
Given his history I would not bet against Sam Thomas to ride again. Though he is a young man his love of the sport is one that took root early. His juvenile start in the saddle along with his numerous falls and until Thursday, most minor injuries can leave you with no doubt that this young jockey will do anything within his power to get back into that saddle. Though Sam Thomas will not be riding at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, he knows that there are plenty of years ahead. It is hoped that he can pull through this difficultly and emerge stronger for having undergone the trial. Personally I would not be surprised to see Sam Thomas ride once again in pursuit of the illustrious Gold Cup.
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