TV legend who famously beat King Charles in charity race ends 60-year career on Tuesday

Legendary TV commentator Derek Thompson brings down the curtain on his 60 year career when he calls his final race at Wolverhampton on Tuesday.

One of the most recognisable figures in horse racing has been a regular on-course and for BBC radio, while also presenting for ITV, Channel 4, At The Races and Sky Sports Racing during a nearly 60-year broadcasting career. The 74-year-old was even part of a three-strong group that attempted to negotiate the release of Shergar after the 1981 Derby winner was kidnapped.

He also enjoyed time in the spotlight when what became his famous catchphrase, “Are you well? I thought you were”, appeared on Radio One courtesy of Greg James before going viral, as did an At The Races clip of him when he mistook a man for a woman during an exchange on Sky.

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Thompson said: “I’ll be brutally honest, it’s not going to be easy because I still love it to this day and I’m so proud that I’m one of about 20 people that do the race calling in the UK.

“I’ve been doing it for so many years that it’s time to move on. It’s not getting any easier, but I still love it. I’ve been very lucky, I’m paid to go to the races. Other people have to pay to get in. I’ve got the best seat in the house.”

Thompson announced he would be retiring from the commentators’ booth last year.

He continued: “I’m absolutely stunned by the amount of people that have come up – and that’s not just older people like me, but younger people as well – and said can I have a selfie, can I have your autograph. It’s just lovely.

“The messages I’ve been getting on social media, thank you so much, it’s lovely, it almost brought a tear to my eye. It’s very moving and it makes me feel very proud.”

While Thompson will be putting down his binoculars, he certainly does not plan to be a stranger to the racecourse and hopes to take his affable style around the country.

Thompson said: “I’ll still be presenting at the racetracks around the country and hoping to organise a little tour called, ‘Are you well? I thought you were’, or ‘It’s a man actually, Derek’, so we’re hoping to continue the fun side of racing because I’m a great believer in enjoying racing.

Thompson also famously once raced against the then future King in a charity event and remembers the race fondly.

He said: “I beat him, Prince Charles as he was then. I rode a horse for Nicky Henderson called Classified and I beat him at Plumpton.

“There were about 12 runners, it was a two-mile Flat race and it was incredible. We occasionally have a chat at the races, Royal Ascot and stuff and we get together sometimes.

“I always say, ‘Sir, I’m sorry I beat you all those years ago and he says ‘don’t worry, I forgave you’, but the (late) Queen goes, ‘but I haven’t, Tommo’. It was incredible.”