Damien Thornton joins siblings in Queensland’s jockey ranks

By Andrew Smith

The Sunshine State’s jockey ranks have been boosted ahead of the Queensland Racing Carnival with leading Victorian hoop Damien Thornton heading north for a winter stint.

The two-time Group 1-winning jockey is riding at Eagle Farm today, before heading to Ipswich on Friday and backing up for five races at the $2 million Queensland Jewel Raceday at Doomben on Saturday.

Thornton will partner Les Kelly’s Minto's D'oro in the 2YO QTIS Jewel, and then take to Corfe Castle for the Toby and Trent Edmonds stable in the 3YO QTIS Jewel.

It’s been a whirlwind week for Thornton, who only arrived in Brisbane late Monday night after riding in the Adelaide Cup, where he finished 10^th on True Marvel.

He thought the time was right to head to Queensland to refresh and recharge the batteries.

“I was just looking for a little change for a little while,” Thornton said.

“I rode Newmarket Day at Flemington, went to Adelaide Monday and thought a change for a few months probably won’t hurt.

“I’ll freshen up and re-group and probably spend a bit of time up here with everyone, ride for a few months and probably ride through winter.

“I have ridden in Queensland before but not for a long time so I just thought a change would be good to be honest.”

Besides riding a couple of Sunshine Coast trials in November 2022, and one in 2019, Thornton hasn’t ridden competitively in Queensland since 2018.

The chance to compete in a warmer climate was part of the reason the 27-year-old decided on the temporary relocation.

“Obviously after the next couple of weeks, there’s not much left in Melbourne and it gets pretty cold,” he said.

“I don’t like the cold so thought I’d try something for a little while before heading back.”

Thornton will relish the opportunity to reunite with family, riding for father Glenn on Applications in Saturday’s Jim Roberts 35 Years of Service Class 6 Handicap.

The sibling rivalry will also reignite when he comes up against younger brother Boris in the $500,000 2YO and 3YO QTIS Jewel.

With sister Stephanie and her husband Ben Thompson also preparing for a big Queensland Racing Carnival, including nine rides for Ben on Jewel Raceday, it will be a real family affair for Thornton over the coming months.

“It’s always good to be closer to them – family’s family and I’m living with Boris now and I’m sure I’ll see plenty of my parents and Steph and Ben as well,” Thornton said.

“I’ll ride for Dad and obviously happy for anyone who wants to put me on.”

As for making a permanent move to Queensland, Thornton will see how the next few months play out before deciding on whether to head back to Victoria.

“We’ll cross that bridge if it comes to be honest,” he said.

“I’ll look to head back afterwards but obviously things can change.

“I’m sort of here temporarily at the moment and not really with any plans as such but have just come for a look and we’ll see what happens.”