Jockey Winston Thompson Scores Win No. 3,000 at Suffolk Downs

Winston Thompson

Veteran New England jockey Winston Thompson inked the 3,000th win of his career, guiding African Angel to triumph in the eighth race at Suffolk Downs Sept. 21.

Thompson has been a consistent competitor at Suffolk Downs since bringing his tack to the United States from his home land Jamaica in 1987, earning most outstanding jockey honors in New England in 2004, 2005, and 2008.

“To reach 3,000 means a lot, and it means a lot to do it at Suffolk Downs,” said Thompson. “All of the people here have helped me get here. I’ve been riding with them since 1987 and it is like one big family here.”

Thompson, 45, captured his fourth Suffolk Downs riding title in five years in 2008 and is ranked in second place with 68 wins so far this year, 14 wins behind Orlando Bocachica.

“My body still feels good,” added Thompson. “I got on 14 horses this morning.”

One of the most memorable days of Thompson’s career is June 18, 2005, when he won six races on the Suffolk Downs program, including the $50,000 Old Ironsides Stakes aboard Miesque’s Approval, who would go on to win the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT) and Eclipse Award for top turf male in 2006.

His largest stakes win came aboard local and 37-1 longshot King Roller in the $250,000 James B. Moseley Breeders’ Cup Handicap on the Massachusetts Handicap undercard June 3, 2000.