Cup-winning Suffolk jockey swaps saddle for ambulance role

Thomas Brown has been working for the ambulance service for a year

A former professional jockey who rode for Queen Elizabeth II and Sir Alex Ferguson has swapped the saddle for a life on the NHS emergency frontline.

Thomas Brown, 31, rode 123 winners as a jockey, with his biggest success in the John Smith's Cup at York in 2016.

He joined the East of England Ambulance Service after injury forced him to pull in the reins on his racing career a year ago.

Mr Brown said he was "loving every minute" of his new job.

Thomas Brown won the prestigious John Smith's Cup in York on Educate, in 2016

Alongside his John Smith's Cup victory, Mr Brown's highlights include riding a winner for Sir Alex Ferguson - and he also achieved a third place racing in the royal silks when he was an apprentice jockey.

He had to give up his jockey's licence in 2017 as a result of injuries and, during his rehabilitation, looked for a career which involved meeting new people every day and provided a similar adrenaline rush to being a jockey.

He applied to become an emergency care assistant in the Bury St Edmunds area, and joined the East of England Ambulance Service Trust in March 2023.

He was on the road in an ambulance working alongside a qualified paramedic after six weeks of intensive training.

His ambition is to become an emergency medical technician - and then train as a paramedic.

Thomas Brown said he had some great days as a jockey

"I had some great days as a jockey, but it feels like I have found my second calling at EEAST and I'm loving every minute of it," he said.

"It's a good feeling when you see the relief on a patient's face when you arrive on scene and it's even better when you make them more comfortable."

Jemma Varela, from EEAST said: "Thomas is an excellent example of someone starting in the ambulance service later in life.

"It's great that Thomas feels he has found his second calling."

Mr Brown will be taking part in a Q&A session on EEAST's Instagram account on Thursday 7 March, from 12:00 GMT to 14:00 GMT, alongside a fellow emergency care assistant.