Thornton's season has been disrupted by injury

Jockey Robert Thornton rode his 1,000th career winner, and his 50th of the season, in steering novice hurdler Araldur home at Towcester,on Monday.

The 32-year-old joined an elite club, including Tony McCoy, Richard Johnson, Richard Dunwoody and Peter Scudamore, to achieve the mark.

Araldur is trained by Thornton's main retainer Alan King.

"I'm very pleased. It's a milestone I've been looking to over the last four or five years," said Thornton.

"I know AP [McCoy] and Richard Johnson have smashed the records in previous seasons but I'm delighted to get there.

"I've been very lucky to sit on some very good horses but My Way De Solzen's Arkle [Challenge trophy] win at the 2007 Cheltenham Festival is probably the highlight."

Thornton, who had his first ride during the 1994-95 season but had to wait until the following season for his first win, made a rapid return in December from a serious knee ligament injury he sustained in an horrific fall from Hell's Bay at Newton Abbot in July.

He had the easiest of rides on the 30-100 shot Araldur who won by 15 lengths.

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