Well-known owner and racegoer Norman Thomas sadly passed away on Monday at the age of 80 following a long illness.
Norman was a dairy farmer, originally based near Swindon, although he sold that farm to Honda and moved to Wroughton, at the bottom of the former Barbury point-to-point course, writes Jake Exelby, South Midlands Press Officer.
He was a keen hunting man, who was Master of the VWH for many years. One of his racing ambitions was to win his Members race, which he never achieved despite numerous placings, including when Full Trottle was beaten a neck at long odds-on once. However, he was delighted when his daughter Laura won the Pegasus Club Members Race at their local meeting on Karinga Dancer.
Full Trottle – his best horse of recent years – trained by Laura, won 11 races for him, five of which were Hunter Chases, the highlight being the Landrover Open Hunters Chase at the Cheltenham evening meeting in 2017 (Norman is above right, with daughter Laura and jockey Johnny Bailey).
Leading point-to-point keeper Alan Hill, who trained winners for Norman between the flags – as did Alan’s wife Lawney under rules – said earlier this week, “The word ‘character’ really summed Norman up. He liked a joke and always had a twinkle in his eye. He always had the odd pointer, was a big supporter of Ascot Sales and bought a number of value horses there.”
Laura, who now does pre-training and rehabilitation of horses at their Wroughton farm, told me of her father, “We had a lovely last Christmas with him. Everyone said he lived life to the full – which was true. He always had a whisky in his hand and definitely enjoyed a party!”
Along with Alan and Laura, others who trained pointers for Norman in recent years included Peter Mason and Will Biddick.
The funeral will take place at Highworth Church on Tuesday 13th February at 10am, with a family burial at Sevenhampton Church afterwards. The wake will be held at the Blundson House Hotel (SN26 7AS), where there will be a finger buffet food and - of course - lots of booze!
Norman and Laura at Siddington on the day of her first ride