A Legacy Ridden with Success: Remembering Jean Traquair Thomson
The horse racing world bids adieu to a legendary figure, Jean Traquair Thomson. A renowned jockey and horsewoman, Jean, (who also proved a master in the art of horticulture) donned many hats throughout her life. Leaving a legacy that spanned over three decades in horse racing, Jean passed away peacefully on February 3rd at the ripe age of 98.
Rise of a True Sportswoman: There's More Than Just Horse Racing
Jean was born in 1925 in Lambden, near Greenlaw in Berwickshire. She and her sister Margaret were members of the Berwickshire branch of the Pony Club from its infancy. With equestrianism in the family (her father Moffat, brother David, and nephew Sandy all held positions as masters and huntsmen of the Berwickshire hounds), Jean soon took up the reins and threw herself into the saddle. Post-war, Jean nurtured her interest in breeding ponies and took to gardening, proving herself to be quite the green thumb with a peculiar interest in growing and grafting roses.
The Journey of a Jockey: Conquering The Turf
Jean's jockey journey between 1946 and 1979 resulted in an impressive tally of 52 wins across the point-to-points, making her the winningest female jockey of her generation from Scotland. While 52 wins might appear average by today's standards, one must remember that there were only a handful of races she could participate in during the season. Comparatively, her tally is quite an achievement, considering that ladies’ races only became fully open by the mid-1960s. It was in 1972 that Jean had her best season, securing the leading rider and overall winner title in the newly formed Point-to-Point Authority northern area at 46 years old.
The Garden that Jean Built: A True Green Oasis
If there was a place that truly reflected Jean's personality, it was the garden at Lambden. Created meticulously by Jean after the Second World War, the garden was a labor of love where Jean spent countless hours until her late 80s. Her devotion to her green haven was captured in the words inscribed in stone in front of a garden bench, a line from a poem by Dorothy Frances Blomfield Gurney: "One is nearer God’s heart in a garden than anywhere else on Earth.”
Life Beyond the Finish Line: Successfully Juggling Many Interests
When not traversing grassy pastures, Jean relished the arts of show jumping and judging pony classes. Over many years, she served as a judge at prestigious events like the Royal Highland and the Border Union Show. She also reported on point-to-points for newspapers after wrapping up her professional racing career.
Jean's equestrian expertise, gardening skills, and success on the track are testament to a life lived reaching for the reins and turning soil, leaving behind a legacy in multiple realms, not just horse racing. Jean Traquair Thomson will be remembered not just as a successful jockey or devoted horticulturist but as a significant contributor to the rich tapestry of equestrian art, sports, and culture.
