Buckle, Dennis

Born in Leeds on May 16, 1929, Dennis was one of the many apprentices brought on by Ernie Davey.He lived at 18, Park Lane, Middleham, Leyburn, Yorks, and served his apprenticeship with E. Davey from 1944.

His first win came at Thirsk on Saturday, 24 August 1946 when, replacing W. Nevett in the saddle, he took the 3.30 on Lady Alruna, beating a 4/7 favourite and surviving an objection as well.

He became champion apprentice twice; in 1947 with 20 winners and again the next year with 25.

Dennis had a major operation in 1949 which kept him out of the saddle for a year.

He had his best season in 1964 with 27 winners, but opportunities gradually grew scarcer and, early in the seventies, he left for a career on the Continent.

Dennis had a nightmare season in 1968 when he failed to register a single win.

He rates his career highlights as winning the Irish Free Handicap and the Welsh Stewards' Cup.

On March 25, 1949, Dennis married Amy Evelyn Vaughan. 

In 1951, she gave him a daughter, Linda - the eldest - and two sons, Stuart and Christopher.

Linda recently contacted Jockeypedia (2015) to let me know that Dennis's great-granddaughter, aged seven, was already riding (in Australia) and winning blue ribbon firsts.

She is the only family member to take after Dennis.

In 1950, Dennis went to ride in India where he was well liked and gained a reputation for being good with difficult horses.

Dennis rode a total of 267 winners.

Dennis passed away in Leeds in November, 1994, aged 65.