Gun apprentice Ben Thompson right at home with bright city lights

BEN Thompson never expected his life to unfold so quickly and at times so dramatically as it has since his first ride, which was winning one, in 2014.

Ben Thompson has ridden 47 winners this season and horses have won more than $1.6 million in prizemoney. Picture: Getty Images

BEN Thompson never expected his life to unfold so quickly and at times so dramatically as it has since his first ride, which was winning one, in 2014.

The teenager, who turns 20 in December, was seriously hurt in a race fall just eight days later at his home track of Cranbourne in front of his horrified parents and friends.

Along the road came a succession of suspensions, winning rides in invitational races at Kentucky and Abu Dhabi and then as the wins continued to flow, Thompson was granted permission to ride in town.

Earlier this year he put a deposit on a house and on Saturday at Flemington he faces the prospect for the first time of a full book of rides — with the exception of one non-claiming apprentice race — at a Saturday metropolitan meeting.

So far this season, Thompson has had 580 rides for 47 winners, 54 seconds and three thirds. His horses have won more than $1.6 million prizemoney.

He is starting to repeat the financial rewards of one of sport’s most dangerous jobs.

Jockeys are paid $190 a ride and share five per cent of prizemoney. Apprentices have their winnings put in a trust and receive it when they come out of their time, but they can take some of it at any time for houses, cars.

Thompson, who started his apprenticeship with Mick Kent but transferred to fellow Cranbourne trainer Allan Williams last year, has 25 per cent of his earnings equally spit between his master and agent Reece Murphy.

The 19-year-old is paid a weekly apprenticeship wage by his master and says while his base rate would be similar to an apprentice hairdresser, the opportunity to make big money from winning rides and standard riding fees is enormous.

“The way things have gone, I wouldn’t change anything,” Thompson said.

“If all my horses start at Flemington, it will be the first time and it’s good to be getting plenty of support.

“It’s good that I have got the right people behind me which started with Mick Kent and now I’m with Allan Williams and my manger Reece Murphy is doing a great job. It’s a team effort.”

With another two years to go before completing his apprenticeship Thompson has already out ridden his country claim wants to do the same with his metropolitan claim before joining the senior ranks.

He has ridden 16 city winners and needs only another four before reducing his 3kg claim.

He’ll need a total of 80 winners to get down to zero.

“It’s a big job ahead and I’m just hoping to stay sound and have a bit of luck,” Thompson said.

“There is a lot of money to be made but it’s about having a bit of luck. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster in my first two years but it’s happened a lot quicker than I thought it would and I’m not complaining.”

While some apprentices are struggling to adapt to the demands of seven day racing, Thompson said he hadn’t encountered similar problems but thanked his agent and master for not allowing him to what he describes t over doing it.

“The rides tally up and it’s nice to take them wherever they are offered and last week I went to Geelong rather Wodonga because I was going to be riding five days straight and my manager didn’t think it was going to be worth having a massive day at the start of it.” Thompson said.

While the workload of apprentices is under review, the Victorian Jockeys’ Association chief executive Des O’Keeffe said the opportunities for the younger riders are solid and Racing Victoria is providing a sound platform to establish a good financial position.