Trust donations aid Racing Welfare
The Thompson Family Charitable Trust, which was formed in 1985 by David and Patricia Thompson, continues to generously fund Racing Welfare. A recent donation of £100,000 means the amount donated to support the charity has now passed the £1 million mark.
David and Patricia bought Cheveley Park Stud near Newmarket in 1975 and turned it into one of the country’s leading horseracing breeding and ownership operations. Sadly, David passed away in 2020, but the charitable legacy continues with trustees Patricia Thompson and daughter Katie Woodward, along with Roy Copus, overseeing the Trust’s work. Since its inception, it has given over £102 million in grants to numerous charities.
Dawn Goodfellow, Racing Welfare’s Chief Executive, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have continued support from The Thompson Family Charitable Trust. David and Patricia’s dedication to the sport, seen in their many notable achievements, as well as the trust’s willingness to donate funds to Racing Welfare to support stable, stud and racecourse staff should be celebrated.
“Our work aims to help people, from recruitment to retirement, to thrive in day-to-day life and through a range of life’s challenges and this latest donation from The Thompson Family Charitable Trust, added to all the funds we’ve received from them since 2013, will help to ensure we can continue to deliver our vital services.”
Of David and Patricia’s many achievements, notable highlights include their Gimcrack winner, Music Boy, who they stood at Cheveley Park in 1977 and from 17 foals was leading first-season sire, with his progeny earning over £2.5 million. The mighty Pivotal, who was born and bred on the stud, went on to win the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes in 1996 and during his stud career sired over 150 individual stakes winners, including 32 Group 1 scorers. Homebred mare Inspiral is one of the current stars with six Group 1 wins to her name.
The Thompsons’ interest also extends to jump racing – Party Politics won the Grand National in 1992 and spent his retirement at the stud, while A Plus Tard captured the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2022.
Patricia Thompson, Trustee of The Thompson Family Charitable Trust, said: “The Trust was set up in 1985. My husband and I felt that we would like to help others less fortunate than ourselves.
“Fairly soon after that decision, I became a Trustee of Racing Welfare, and was in a position to understand how responsibly and thoughtfully Racing Welfare handled the donations they were given. It is so important that the people who ‘make the wheels turn’ are looked after, particularly when they retire.
“I am delighted to hear that The Thompson Family Charitable Trust’s donations [to Racing Welfare] total over £1 million.”