Barry Fenton
Jump jockey Barry Denis Fenton was born on December 8 1976 in County Tipperary, the son of a dairy farmer. He is the brother of former Flat jockey Michael Fenton.
Jump jockey Barry Denis Fenton was born on December 8 1976 in County Tipperary, the son of a dairy farmer. He is the brother of former Flat jockey Michael Fenton.
He rode a total of 373 winners during a 13-year career and took part in five Grand Nationals, finishing fourth on Gunner Welburn in 2003. His impressive record of big-race triumphs included the Welsh National in 1999 on Kendal Cavalier, the Whitbread Gold Cup in 1999 on Eulogy, Cheltenham’s Coral Cup in 1998 on Top Cees, the Great Yorkshire Chase in 2003 on Moor Lane, and the Imperial Cup in 2004 on Scorned.
He rode a total of 373 winners during a 13-year career and took part in five Grand Nationals, finishing fourth on Gunner Welburn in 2003. His impressive record of big-race triumphs included the Welsh National in 1999 on Kendal Cavalier, the Whitbread Gold Cup in 1999 on Eulogy, Cheltenham’s Coral Cup in 1998 on Top Cees, the Great Yorkshire Chase in 2003 on Moor Lane, and the Imperial Cup in 2004 on Scorned.
It could have been much more but for his grim catalogue of injuries, which included five broken legs, broken ankles and ribs, a fractured sternum, half-a-dozen collar-bones (three left, three right), shoulder blade, broken nose (twice), plus an ear all but torn off, requiring 38 stitches. He also lost all his front teeth. At Plumpton on New Year’s Day 2006, he received a kick from a horse that shattered his face, eye socket and cheekbone and came dangerously close to him losing an eye.
It could have been much more but for his grim catalogue of injuries, which included five broken legs, broken ankles and ribs, a fractured sternum, half-a-dozen collar-bones (three left, three right), shoulder blade, broken nose (twice), plus an ear all but torn off, requiring 38 stitches. He also lost all his front teeth. At Plumpton on New Year’s Day 2006, he received a kick from a horse that shattered his face, eye socket and cheekbone and came dangerously close to him losing an eye.
He broke his leg for the fifth time in a first fence fall from Ninja De Thaix at Towcester on November 25, 2007, smashing his left tibia and fibula.
He broke his leg for the fifth time in a first fence fall from Ninja De Thaix at Towcester on November 25, 2007, smashing his left tibia and fibula.
Although having been passed fit by his surgeon to resume riding, Barry announced his retirement in September 2008, electing to focus full attention on his role as assistant trainer to his partner Emma Lavelle at their yard at Hatherden, near Andover.
Although having been passed fit by his surgeon to resume riding, Barry announced his retirement in September 2008, electing to focus full attention on his role as assistant trainer to his partner Emma Lavelle at their yard at Hatherden, near Andover.