A star that's still twinkling in racing's universe | Tails

During my travels last spring I was reacquainted with former Central Districts galloper Star Of Universe, which is enjoying his retirement at Mebul near Gulgong.

The 24-year-old horse looked content in his paddock at Diane and Percy Thompson's property "Mornington."

The marvellous galloper raced 196 times for 21 wins, 22 seconds and 23 thirds earning $160,000.

Trained by Mr Thompson, the family has fond memories of their much-loved chestnut gelding.

"I go and give him a bit of corn now and again, but he doesn't need much, as he has a huge paddock and he's in terrific condition," Mr Thompson said.

"He's the best horse that I trained - he won 21 races, not many horses win 21 races. I bred him and he is by Sky Chase - the same sire as Saintly."

Also serving his community as the Mayor of Mudgee, Mr Thompson prepared only a few horses at one time, but won on 26 different tracks.

Star Of Universe was honoured the NSW Country Horse Of The Year 2004-2005, for the most wins that season, numbering eight.

But the galloper began modestly, placed once and not winning a race in his first 12 starts, so he was given a long spell.

"Originally racing up on the pace, [jockey Dale] Jefferies suggested to ride him more quietly; so, I said we will find out in 12 months time, and I put him out in the paddock to let him grow and develop."

The horse's time in the paddock worked wonders.

"When Orange was called off one time (due to rain), I took him to Canberra; he was about four lengths behind the second last horse until the turn, but then he flew to win by four lengths; after the race, Tony Campbell (now deceased race-caller) came down to meet me and said I've been calling races here for 40 years and that's the biggest win that I have ever called, and I just wanted to shake your hand."

"He was like Emancipation and Tulloch; you needed extra people to saddle him, and he would try and bite or cow-kick you, but that was just him. If anybody came over to the stables to try to pat him, I said no don't touch him; but after a race, he would lay his head on you."

In 2011, I attended the Orange races on Melbourne Cup day, and recall seeing Star Of Universe win over 2100 metres. The horse, then 11, was a long last for most of the race, before producing a "whirlwind" finish to easily win.

Mr Thompson said that Star Of Universe won four more races.

"He was still winning races as a 12- and 13-year-old; he won the Somerton Cup at Tamworth, and at Gunnedah when he was 12; I had $300 each way at $47 that day, and he came from last in a 14-horse field, and they reckoned he was too old."

"Then the TAB could not pay me all the money (winnings), paying me out with some cash and the rest with a cheque."

Star Of Universe finished fifth at Canberra at his final start on July 31, 2015. Officials produced a birthday cake in honour of the galloper, who turned 15 the following day.

Mr Thompson - who is heavily involved with the Gulgong Turf Club, presiding over it for the past 19 years, said a new racing rule was introduced which led him to not renew his training licence.

"Racing NSW said that no licenced person is allowed to be on a committee of a race club, so that finished my training."

The Thompsons are looking forward to more home-bred racing success with six-year-old Miss Choice and juvenile Relish, both produced from Ballimore Beauty (that won at Bathurst at 100 to one), a Commands mare that doubles as Star Of Universe's paddock companion.

Racing is prominent in the Thompson family, Mr Thompson's son Brett - a previous NSW Country Trainer Of The Year, trains at Gulgong. He is among the leading Central District conditioners and is aided by sons Ben, Kurt and Jay.