Ashley Dent
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Lincolnshire-based jump jockey Ashley Dent held a licence for almost 20 years yet rode only three winners during that time, two of which he also trained.
Lincolnshire-based jump jockey Ashley Dent held a licence for almost 20 years yet rode only three winners during that time, two of which he also trained.
He first took out a licence during the 1951/52 season but it wasn’t until 26 September 1959 that he rode his first winner, Scottish Maid at Market Rasen, for Skegness company director and owner-trainer R W Scott.
He first took out a licence during the 1951/52 season but it wasn’t until 26 September 1959 that he rode his first winner, Scottish Maid at Market Rasen, for Skegness company director and owner-trainer R W Scott.
Dent took out a trainer’s licence in 1962 and went on to train for the next 15 years at various Lincolnshire locations, never staying in the same place for more than three or four years at most. He started out at Keelby, near Grimsby (1962), then moved to Revesby, near Boston (1963-65), Donington-on-Bain, near Louth (1966-67), Hall Stables, Kirton Lindsey, near Gainsborough (1968-71), Fishpond Farm, Ussleby, near Market Rasen (1972-76), and finally at Skipworth Arms Stables, Moortown, near Caistor (1977-78).
Dent took out a trainer’s licence in 1962 and went on to train for the next 15 years at various Lincolnshire locations, never staying in the same place for more than three or four years at most. He started out at Keelby, near Grimsby (1962), then moved to Revesby, near Boston (1963-65), Donington-on-Bain, near Louth (1966-67), Hall Stables, Kirton Lindsey, near Gainsborough (1968-71), Fishpond Farm, Ussleby, near Market Rasen (1972-76), and finally at Skipworth Arms Stables, Moortown, near Caistor (1977-78).
Throughout his nomadic training career, his string never numbered more than a dozen, mostly horses of the humblest order, thus winners were few and far between. He did, though, train and ride Vital Win to score over hurdles at Uttoxeter on 4 December 1965.
Throughout his nomadic training career, his string never numbered more than a dozen, mostly horses of the humblest order, thus winners were few and far between. He did, though, train and ride Vital Win to score over hurdles at Uttoxeter on 4 December 1965.
His third and final victory as a jockey came on what was probably the best horse he ever trained, Brass Finisher. Dent saddled him to win hurdle races at Catterick and
His third and final victory as a jockey came on what was probably the best horse he ever trained, Brass Finisher. Dent saddled him to win hurdle races at Catterick and
Newcastle in the 1967/68 campaign, ridden on both occasions by Philip James. Then Dent himself won on him at Nottingham on 18 November 1968 (right). But the best was yet to come.
Newcastle in the 1967/68 campaign, ridden on both occasions by Philip James. Then Dent himself won on him at Nottingham on 18 November 1968 (right). But the best was yet to come.
On 1 March 1969, Brass Finisher, reunited with Philip James, won the sponsored and ITV-televised Butlin's Holiday Camp Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen. The next month he followed up by winning the Easter Apprentice Handicap on the Flat at Doncaster, scraping home by a short-head.
On 1 March 1969, Brass Finisher, reunited with Philip James, won the sponsored and ITV-televised Butlin's Holiday Camp Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen. The next month he followed up by winning the Easter Apprentice Handicap on the Flat at Doncaster, scraping home by a short-head.
Ashley Dent continued to train for the next eight years, finally relinquishing his licence in 1977.
Ashley Dent continued to train for the next eight years, finally relinquishing his licence in 1977.
He died on March 26, 2001.
He died on March 26, 2001.
Ashley Dent riding King Orry (centre) at Nottingham on 25 October 1965