Jockey Terry Thompson

Born: 08/07/71, Omaha, Nebraska

Resides: Ankeny, Iowa

Family: Baleigh, Sydni, daughter; Devin and Damian, sons 

Terry, among the more popular jockeys at Oaklawn, wound up seventh in the final rider standings of this track’s 2008 meeting.  His highlight that season was winning a division of the $50,000 Martha Washington Stakes on the ill-fated filly, Eight Belles. 

At the Spa in 2008, he rode 28 winners from 228 mounts and his horses earned $671,862 in purse money. 

Active at Oaklawn for a decade, he is particularly remembered for riding Sir Cherokee to an upset triumph in the $500,000 Arkansas Derby in 2003. Sir Cherokee paid $113.20 to win. 

During the 2007 Oaklawn season, he rode career winner 2,000. His meeting highlight occurred during the Racing Festival of the South when he won the $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes on Gasia. 

“I have had a good career so far. Among my favorite horses, aside from Sir Cherokee and Eight Belles, remain Sure Shot Biscuit and Don’t Countessout. I won 19 races on Sure Shot Biscuit,” recalled the jockey. 

He will not soon forget the 2004 Acorn Stakes at Belmont Park, winning that event on Island Sand. In 2003, he won the $200,000 Fantasy Stakes aboard Ruby’s Reception.           

He enjoyed a career year in 2001. At Hoosier Park in early December, the Nebraska native matched Jon Court's meeting record of 118 winners then finished with an all-time record of 122.  

Court had won Oaklawn and Hoosier's riding titles a year earlier. 

"At one time, I pretty well confined my riding to Kentucky, but about this time, I made some changes.  I needed to establish myself a circuit including Oaklawn and Prairie Meadows," explained Terry. 

Thompson lost little time winning a couple of Oaklawn stakes. In 2001 he rode Son of Rocket to triumph in the $50,000 Mountain Valley and the $75,000 Southwest. 

The jockey is a protégé of Jack Van Berg. 

"Ralph Irwin, who now has a stable at Oaklawn, was Jack’s assistant at the time. Jack really helped me. I was a hot walker, and then groom, and finally Jack began letting me get on horses in the mornings. Soon, I was galloping and finally riding races. Becoming a rider is a one step at a time thing," insists Terry.