An emotional Ben Thompson has landed his first Group 1 win with Uncommon James taking out the Oakleigh Plate at Sandown.
A former Victorian, Thompson relocated to Queensland following a stint in Singapore and is married to former Victorian jockey Stephanie Thornton.
Thompson credited recently returned multiple Group 1 winning jockey Danny Beasley for his mentorship during his stint in Singapore.
“He has been my biggest mentor since doing a stint in Singapore and he is one of my best mates,” Thompson said.
“He helps me day in and day out on and off the track.
“This is amazing.”
Coming off a first-up second in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes over Saturday’s 1100m course on February 11, Uncommon James ($9) turned the tables on the $6.50 betr.com.au favourite Lofty Strike in scoring by three-quarters-of-a-length with Asfoora ($7.50) a head away third.
Thompson has been a part of the Uncommon James story right from when the now four-year-old first appeared on the scene in Queensland.
“I rode him in in his first ever jump out with other horses out of the barriers and I’d ridden him three times in Queensland for three wins,” Thompson said.
“With the turn of events and getting the ride at the last hour after Roch ‘N’ Horse missed the Lightning to run today, thank God it did and dropped the weight, so I was able to ride him.
“A huge thanks to Steven O’Dea, Matt Hoysted and Cailtlin Lavin, and the entire Lavin family.
“They’ve been a huge supporter of mine since making the move north and have made riding winners a lot easier because their horses are so good.
“Just for it (riding the Group 1) to happen here is so special. I learnt to ride and I did my entire apprenticeship in Victoria.”
Hoysted travelled to Melbourne last year with Uncommon James taking a race at Caulfield and had Uncommon James aimed at the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, but a leg injury put an end to those plans.
Hoysted said it was heart-breaking at the time.
“Obviously he comes first, and we knew that there was so much more improvement, so there was no point risking him or pushing forward in his preparation,” Hoysted said.
“So we pulled-up and have been rewarded today.”
The Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 11 or the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill the following week are potential next targets for Uncommon James.
“We’ll let the dust settle and celebrate tonight and go from there.”
