Doug Thomas, former leading New Jersey rider, dead at 78

B. Douglas Thomas, a journeyman rider who finished his 30-year career with nearly 2,100 career wins and multiple riding titles in New Jersey died on March 9 of a heart attack at his home in Sun City West, Ariz., according to his family. Thomas was 78.

A native of Canada who began his riding career at Fort Erie racetrack in the 1960s, Thomas was one of the leading riders at Monmouth and the Meadowlands in the late 70s and early 80s. From 1977-81, he amassed 690 wins from 5,514 starts and nearly $7 million in earnings.

While riding at Monmouth throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Thomas lost a total of three years of riding due to injuries sustained while riding. The injuries included a broken back – twice – a broken shoulder, a broken wrist, a hyperextended thumb resulting in a fracture, and a multi-fractured orbital bone that caused permanent vision damage, according to his family.

His most serious injury occurred in 1990, when he was struck in the head by a trailing horse after being unseated. A year later, Thomas was back in the saddle.

“He was, perhaps, one of the physically and mentally toughest jockeys of all time,” his son, Robert Thomas, wrote in a tribute to his father.

Known as “Doug” or “Dougie,” Thomas began his career at a relatively old age, 22.

“He came from a white-collar family, which, as you know, is not your normal path to becoming a jockey,” Robert Thomas said in an interview. “My grandfather was against it. But he was committed to giving riding a try.”

After learning the ropes in Canada, Thomas moved to New York to complete his apprenticeship. In 1968, he had 141 winners and earned $944,959 in purses, according to Daily Racing Form records, tops in the U.S. among apprentices that year.

“That was a big number for those days for an apprentice,” Robert Thomas said.

Several of his top wins included the 1978 Monmouth Oaks aboard Sharp Belle; the 1989 Matchmaker Stakes aboard Spruce Fir; and several high-profile victories aboard Miss Indy Anna in 1993. Miss Indy Anna was being prepped for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff that year before suffering a knee injury.

Thomas retired on his 52nd birthday in 1997. For his career, he won 2,092 races from 18,026 starts, with purse earnings of $21,173,003.

Thomas is survived by his wife, Jane Johnson; his son, Robert; and a former wife, MaryAnn.

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