Thompson’s gentle nature, sharp mind and ever-present sense of humor made him one of the sport’s most endearing and respected characters – the kind of guy whose company was as grounding as it was motivating.
A proud Charlton identity, Joey’s life was intertwined with the sport he loved.
Following in the footsteps of his father, legendary horseman Jack “Bushy” Thompson, Joey was literally born into the game.
Bushy taught his son to ride horseback when he was just a teenager, and Joey never strayed far from his calling. He later named his property ‘Bushy Lodge’ in honor of the man who shaped his life, his horsemanship and his values.
Joey trained his first notable pacer, Imprimartar, at the age of 24 – a horse who became one of Victoria’s stars in the early 1990s, winning 24 races including the NSW Derby and Fremantle Cup.
It was the beginning of a long career as a trainer and respected breaker, characterized by skill, patience and a determination to understand the mind of a horse.
In more recent years he has achieved milestone successes with Clarenden Envoy and Cee Cee In America, proudly achieving his first ever training double with his beloved Charlton.
“Those two are my entire race team right now,” he joked at the time, “and I was thrilled.”
Another moment that meant a lot to him was young trotter Alrighty’s debut victory last September, in the famous Healy family colors worn by Sumthingaboutmaori and Maoris Idol.
Joey admitted he was nervous that day, but the win and the emotion it stirred in the Charlton crowd, as he said, in colors that brought back ‘memories of the antics in his glory days’, was one he cherished deeply.
However, Joey’s greatest influence may have been beyond his own barn, on the community around him and the opportunities he helped provide to young and established trainers.
As chairman of the Charlton Harness Racing Club, he was a visionary, a worker and an advocate – the driving force behind the club’s transformation into one of country Victoria’s most progressive and community-oriented hubs.
Under his leadership, against all odds and through an astonishing community fundraising and volunteer effort, the Charlton Harness Racing Training Center was established and grew into a thriving home base for young trainers and drivers.
Through sheer ingenuity, goodwill and the loyalty he naturally inspired, Thompson secured major grants, development approvals, equipment upgrades and community partnerships.
“We’re pretty frugal here,” Joey said at the time. “The little things are the big things.”
His belief that endurance was at the heart of the local community reshaped the club’s culture. He encouraged people to stay for a drink, to make it social, to bring in newcomers and to rebuild the joy that first draws people to the trot.
When Joey stepped down as president 12 months ago, he spoke candidly about his health issues, but never with self-pity, and his trademark humor, humility and positivity never wavered.
Friends described him as “the guy you always hoped would be on the track” and his loss will be deeply felt across the Charlton district, north central Victoria and the wider running community.
But Joey’s legacy – as a rider, leader, mentor, bush philosopher, storyteller and friend – will long outlive him.
Harnesslink extends its deepest condolences to Joey’s family, especially his daughters Sabrina and Phoebe, the Charlton Harness Racing Club team and his many friends across the industry.
By Terry gang for Harnesslink
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