Meet the 80-year-old trainer who rode for three miles with a broken leg - but is back in the saddle seven weeks later

They breed them tough in Northumberland. The remarkable Victor Thompson was back riding five lots on Wednesday, seven weeks after breaking his leg and just six days before his 81st birthday.
He also suffered a serious gash when kicked by another horse, although he insisted on riding through the pain barrier and finishing work before seeking medical attention.
"I've been in the wars a bit," admitted Thompson, who trains nine horses a mile from the beach near Alnwick and also farms and builds houses. "We were just going on to the gallops. A girl was riding a horse that kicks, it let fly and got me in the leg.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inBritain
Last updated
- Who were the big ante-post market movers following a brilliant Saturday of racing in Britain and Ireland?
- 'We're not going to beat Il Etait Temps over two miles at the moment' - Nicky Henderson pondering step up in trip for Jonbon
- 'Cheltenham is the best route to go on the way to a Champion Hurdle' - The New Lion set to miss Kempton and wait for Trials day
- Sandown going eases on Friday evening with showers expected overnight before Tingle Creek day
- 'He was an aeroplane - I felt like I was in second gear the whole way'
- Who were the big ante-post market movers following a brilliant Saturday of racing in Britain and Ireland?
- 'We're not going to beat Il Etait Temps over two miles at the moment' - Nicky Henderson pondering step up in trip for Jonbon
- 'Cheltenham is the best route to go on the way to a Champion Hurdle' - The New Lion set to miss Kempton and wait for Trials day
- Sandown going eases on Friday evening with showers expected overnight before Tingle Creek day
- 'He was an aeroplane - I felt like I was in second gear the whole way'