Thomson Jones offers Lambourn base for fledgling training operation

Tim Thomson Jones, the outstanding amateur rider of his generation whose allergy to horses did not stop him enjoying a fine career in the saddle and then as a Cheltenham Festival-winner trainer, hopes he can help launch someone else into the spotlight after he received planning permission for a yard in Lambourn.

Thomson Jones, the son of Tingle Creek's trainer Tom Jones, was a title-winning amateur jockey before enjoying success with a licence, most notably with Pukka Major, who landed the Grand Annual, and Keep Talking, the 1992 National Hunt Chase winner who was bequeathed to the Queen Mother by previous owner Jim Joel.

Thomson Jones quit the game in the late 1990s to run an equine nutrition and allergy business, a legacy from his own susceptibility to horses, which was helped in his youth when late champion trainer Dick Hern recommended a specialist who injected the then-aspiring rider with his own urine.

"This fella was treating Dick's horses, but I was the first human guinea pig!" he recalled.

"When you have your own pee put back into you, I promise it's like Vichyssoise soup and my god it was uncomfortable, but that's how desperate I was to get cured."

Lambourn yard has space for 30 boxes

The 63-year-old, who also won the 1990 Christmas Hurdle with Fidway, has no plans to return to training, but is aiming on setting someone else on their way at the premises, which has had planning approval from West Berkshire Council and has space for 30 boxes on its three acres.

Thomson Jones, who rode Gold Cup heroes Bregawn and Charter Party in their career, but rates US jumps champion Flatterer as the best horse he has sat on, said: "I trained at the Croft and I owned all of the area but when I sold it to John Hills we couldn't agree on one thing, so I rented this three-acre paddock to him for ten years, then took back possession and have had my partner's showjumpers in there.

"One or two people have asked me about training, but not unless a very rich man wanted me to be his private trainer – I've been there, done that and got a bit of a T-shirt."

The site is across the road from Charlie Mann's yard, which Thomson Jones has taken inspiration from in terms of layout

"It's for sale as it is with planning permission and for someone to tweak to their preferences," he added.

"It's modelled on Charlie's, which I think is a fantastic set-up. His is a lovely yard, which I think works well, and his horses are terribly happy. I think what we've done should be helpful to the modern trainer."

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