'We had him his whole life' - Dickin family pay tribute to Thomas Crapper after death of popular jumps star

Thomas Crapper, the rags-to-riches jumps star who became a popular performer over nine seasons of racing, has died at the age of 17.

He was bought by trainer Robin Dickin for just £1,000 as a foal but went on to win £135,000 on the track, landing seven races including the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury by 20 lengths.

Thomas Crapper was a regular at Cheltenham, running 16 times at the course and placing three times at the festival. He also recorded a memorable double when winning at the October and November meetings in 2013. 

He spent almost all his life at the Dickin family stable but enjoyed his final few weeks on a hunting holiday with a family friend at Ludlow, suffering a life-ending heart attack in a field.

Harriet Dickin, who took over training from her father in May 2022, said: "He had a great life, going hunting and stuff after racing. He had such an iconic name so built up a following, we paid only £1,000 for him as a foal and we had him his whole life. He was such a lovely horse and we had so many good days.

"He was owned by a syndicate who followed him around and he never cost them a penny. 

"The Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury was a highlight; that was a brilliant day. The other standout is his last win at Southwell because everyone thought he was done but he proved them wrong and then ran really well at Sandown on his start after that."

Charlie Poste rode Thomas Crapper on 47 of his 50 starts including in his early days when it took him eight races to get off the mark at Worcester in October 2012.

He would go on to flourish the following season and chased home subsequent three-time Grade 1 winner Don Poli when second in the Martin Pipe. He filled the same spot at the Cheltenham Festival a season later when sent off 6-1 favourite for the 2m4½f novice handicap chase and chased home Irish Cavalier.

The following April he landed a 2m4f handicap at Newbury and repeated the success over the course and distance when a 20-length winner of the Greatwood Gold Cup in March 2017 at the age of ten. Just 12 days later he finished in the frame at Cheltenham again, finishing fourth behind Road To Respect in the Plate.

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