RACING legend Derek ‘Tommo’ Thompson has confirmed the date of his final ever shift – after landing a 66-1 winner with his wife.
The man famed forever for the side-splitting ‘It’s a man actually, Derek’ clip will put down his mic for the final time at Wolverhampton on July 22.
Racing legend Derek Thompson’s final ever commentary will come at Wolverhampton on July 22PA:Press Association Images
Tommo, whose many fans will no doubt miss his ‘Photo! Photo!’ calls, began commentating at the age of 15.
Now, after making history as the youngest caller of the Grand National in 1973, he believes the time is right to walk away aged 74.
He reckons he is the oldest sports commentator in the world.
The Guinness World Records might have something to say about that, as they last year listed 86-year-old Turkish caller Orhan Ayhan as the oldest.
Either way, it’s been a hell of a stint for fan favourite Tommo.
A natural behind the mic with a flair for the dramatic, Thompson tried his hand as a jockey and memorably denied King Charles his only win as a jockey – in a charity Flat race at Plumpton in 1980.
But he was to find his true calling in the booth rather than on horseback.
He made his debut on the mic as a fresh-faced teen calling point-to-point meetings.
The king of the one liners was quickly snapped up by the BBC, where he was part of their National coverage, before going to ITV and then Channel 4.
There, he was a popular figure in their formidable line-up featuring the likes of the late John McCririck and Alastair Down – a period punters often refer to as the golden age of racing.
In later years he became known to many as the archetypal Alan Partridge figure, thanks in part to toe-curling lines in promotional videos, including the infamous: “Are you well? I thought you were!”
Fortunately, Tommo won’t be turning his back on racing altogether.
The commentary icon, who announced his retirement at the end of last year, will keep a hand in the game with some horses.
And among them is 66-1 Redcar winner Cheerleader, the first to carry his colours in around 40 years.
The three-year-old filly Tommo owns with wife Caroline flew home in a 5f contest under Joanna Mason.
She hadn’t got up to much under former trainer Karl Burke but showed bundles of improvement for Tina Jackson.
A beaming Tommo couldn’t stand still after the win and said: “Tina, who is my brother’s partner, she is one of the hottest trainers in the UK at the moment.
“It’s my wife Caroline, she’ll be watching this, she bought the horse, gave it six months off, gave it to Tina, gently brought her along… there will be tears streaming down her face.
“Well done, darling.”
Well done, indeed – and to you, Tommo, for an unforgettable career in racing.
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