Veteran jockey Robert Thompson has ridden his 4000th winner, driving Lay Down The Law through a gap to win an 1850m handicap at Newcastle.

Thompson had to call on the skills learned over a 40-year career to get the Pam Webber-trained six-year-old home after being shuffled back in the straight.

He went to Saturday's Newcastle meeting on 3999 after a treble at Muswellbrook a day earlier.

Thompson set the Australian record when he passed the late Jack Thompson's tally of 3322 at Port Macquarie in July, 2008.

He rode his first winner as a 14-year-old aboard It's Regal at Wyong in March 1973.

Despite his prolific record of Group One and stakes winners and a stint in Hong Kong, Thompson has always preferred to base himself in his home town of Cessnock.