Rate of conversion on the rise for this former rugby star

Racing has featured heavily in the Thomson family for generations, but Sandy took an unorthodox route to becoming a successful trainer.

As a young man he faced the might of the All Blacks, Australia and South Africa when playing international rugby for Scotland. He recalls: “My schoolboy hero was Andy Irvine, and to play with him, Gavin Hastings and other great players was a marvellous experience, but I never really had any intention of training.

“Hunting was a big thing in our family. I rode with the Berwickshire Hounds and started with a permit, but things just snowballed. Seeyouatmidnight came along and we haven’t looked back. I’m lucky to have such a wonderful team of owners and staff, but the most important cog in the team is my wife Quona, who makes sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.”