As a pupil, Tom Symonds studied at some of the greatest seats of thoroughbred learning. Names like Venetia Williams, for whom he rode out, Michael and Peter Scudamore and Flat trainer James Fanshawe, with whom he has enjoyed associations, leap off the pages of his CV. But in the National Hunt game, few can add more lustre to a man’s employment record than Nicky Henderson.
Symonds was just 21 when he became assistant to the current and six-times overall champion jumps trainer and, for five years, while assimilating knowledge of his chosen craft, Symonds gloried in Henderson’s triumphs.
“I was just a child living a dream, really,” the now 35-year-old enthuses of life under the master of Seven Barrows in Lambourn. “God, I rode Long Run for two years, and he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup (in 2011). One day, I rode him and Riverside Theatre first and second lot, and they finished first and second in the King George (King George VI Chase at Kempton).”
He adds: “If you could wind back to the years when I was watching racing as a fan, and you’d told me that I’d never do anything else again, I’d probably have been happy with that. It was pretty amazing.” Yet, while he had lived the dream, it was someone else’s dream. Symonds had always harboured a desire to succeed on his own merits, and, in 2011, set up as a licenced trainer at Dason Court, the family farm near Ross-on-Wye.
When protégé becomes practitioner in his own right the early examination of his acumen and resilience to setbacks can be daunting and, for Symonds progress has been steady. He despatched 97 winners over nine seasons – until this current remarkable one in which an admirable win strike rate of 27% has been matched only by Paul Nicholls.
Denne historien er fra January 2021-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
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Denne historien er fra January 2021-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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CAL'S UP TO TOP SPEED
John Anthony keeps close watch on the top ranking track fliers
ACTION REPLAY
Graham Buddry recalls the exploits of legendary hurdler Large Action
SHADOW IN THE LIMELIGHT
lan Heitman follows the fortunes of next year’s leading Classic prospects
GONE WILDE
Rolf Johnson fears the effects of a thoroughbred market bubble’
DIGGING OUT THE JUMPERS
The former Sky Racing frontman is all geared up for the change of codes and clothing
MORE AMO FOR RALPH
Dave Youngman shares the joy and gossip from the Newmarket gallops
GO COSMIC NEXT YEAR
Andy Ayres shares his pick of punting prospects from the autumn action
NICO'S CAREER LEAP TO GLORY
Nick Townsend talks to Nico de Boinville about his life-changing choices
ALL SET FOR FRESH START
Karl Hedley is on the spot for the new season action across Ireland
DAN'S GRAND BID DAWNING
Paul Ferguson tracks a route for Skeltons from Carlisle to Aintree