'We took him to Kelso last year and he broke into a complete sweat - he still gets excited by the idea of a racecourse'

We all have our favourites on the track, but it is not always easy to follow what they get up to once their racing days are over. In a new Racing Post series, we catch up with Seeyouatmidnight . . .

Stalwart chasers are worth their weight in gold and Sandy Thomson still does not underestimate the value of his Veterans' Chase Final winner Seeyouatmidnight at the grand age of 17.

The tough but at times fragile gelding became a star of Thomson's Lambden yard for his brave efforts over an eight-year career, earning him nine wins and seven placings from 21 runs.

"I always wonder where we'd be without him," Thomson said. "He came along just at the right time and we could never have imagined him going to run some of those great races."

Seeyouatmidnight won the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle in his early years before placing in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle, and he found fresh vigour over fences to deny Blaklion and claim another Graded prize in the Dipper Novices' Chase.

In 2016, the hardy bay downed another big name in Bristol De Mai in the Colin Parker and finished 11th in the Grand National two years later, but he still had more left in his system and scored in a veterans' chase in March 2020 to qualify for the final the following year.

In January 2021, Seeyouatmidnight made a triumphant final appearance to land the Veterans' Chase Final at Sandown by a length from Crosspark. At the age of 13, he was the oldest bar two in the 15-runner field and brought his earnings total to an impressive £209,114, despite failing to sell for £20,000 as a five-year-old.

Sandy Thomson with Seeyouatmidnight and Brian HughesCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"His win in the Dipper at Cheltenham would stand out along with the Veterans' Final," Thomson said. "Those were great days. We were told we wouldn't get him back for his final race but that was hugely satisfying. He was the stuff of dreams."

After providing Thomson with so much joy over his career, it was only fitting Seeyouatmidnight stayed at the yard he knew best in retirement, and he still resides in his home of over a decade, living a life of comfort and care.

"He doesn't do a lot now but he's happy in the field and comes in every night," the trainer said. "He's been here ever since he retired and he won't be going anywhere. With all his aches and pains we just decided we would keep him and he goes out in the field with Dingo Dollar every day and he's a big bully.

"I always hoped he'd look after the youngsters and it might happen again, there just doesn't seem to be time for that nowadays, but we took him to Kelso last year and he broke into a complete sweat as soon as he went into the lorry, so he still gets excited by the idea of a racecourse. He's enjoying life."

Read more:

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