Neil Pepper

Neil Pepper

Article by Alan Trout

Neil Darron Pepper had a few rides over jumps in the 1980s and won one race. He rode as a conditional for former National Hunt jockey Owen Brennan and was the younger brother of Martin Pepper who rode more than 50 winners. 

Aged 18, Neil had his first ride in public at Sedgefield on January 18, 1983 when pulling up two out on Miss Talli in the Ellerman Bee Line Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, having been prominent until weaking quickly from four out. 

His only win came at Uttoxeter on February 10, 1984, when Solidor, trained by Owen Brennan, took the lead at the third last flight and was pushed out to land the Sandon Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1), beating his brother Martin aboard the odds-on favourite Finale Sept by ten lengths. Neil kept the ride for one unplaced start before the trainer’s son, Martin Brennan, took over in the saddle. 

Neil had his last ride at Market Rasen on April 23, 1984, when Lenton Place finished second, beaten seven lengths, in the Bradley Novices’ Hurdle.