First Greenall Whitley Chase winner David Thomson dies at age of 89

David Thomson, father of successful trainer Sandy Thomson and who trained the winner of the inaugural Greenall Whitley Chase, has died.

The farmer and former Master of Berwickshire Foxhounds, who had been a huge part of the racing scene in the Scottish Borders for decades, was 89.

"He was a huge influence on so many people," his son said. "He was chairman of Kelso for 18 years and chairman of the northern point-to-point association for 18 years."

David Thomson, who combined racing with a life farming and hunting, enjoyed his greatest day with his string of homebred horses when Half Awake won the first running of the Greenall Whitley (now Grand National Trial) at Haydock in 1968, giving young jockey Tommy Stack his first big winner.

"That was obviously a great day and he also had a brief flirtation with Flat racing and won the Lanark Silver Bell with Shanghai," said Sandy Thomson.

Sandy and Quona Thomson with their stable star SeeyouatmidnightCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Kelso clerk of the course Anthea Morshead said: "He was a huge friend of the course over many years and played a big part in Kelso being the successful course it is now.

"He was a true Borders man and he will be sorely missed."

Thomson, whose father Moffat bred dual Grand National runner-up MacMoffat and founded the Berwickshire yard from which his grandson now trains smart chaser Seeyouatmidnight, also leaves daughters Jane and Alison.

There will be a memorial service at Eccles Parish Church at 2.30pm on Monday, May 21, then on to Kelso racecourse.

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