David Dale
David Dale
David Dale
1879-1963
1879-1963
Born on December 13, 1879, David Dale began his racing career at Thomas Fitton’s Lewes Racing Stables at Winterbourne. He rode a total of 33 winners under National Hunt rules between 1906 and 1927 in a career that was compromised by the First World War.
Born on December 13, 1879, David Dale began his racing career at Thomas Fitton’s Lewes Racing Stables at Winterbourne. He rode a total of 33 winners under National Hunt rules between 1906 and 1927 in a career that was compromised by the First World War.
He rode in public for the first time at Windsor on January 7, 1902, finishing unplaced on a horse named Cheltine in the Maiden Hurdle. It was not until Easter Monday, April 16, 1906, that he tasted victory for the first time, courtesy of Drumstick in the Open Selling Chase at the annual West Norfolk Hunt (known today as Fakenham) meeting.
He rode in public for the first time at Windsor on January 7, 1902, finishing unplaced on a horse named Cheltine in the Maiden Hurdle. It was not until Easter Monday, April 16, 1906, that he tasted victory for the first time, courtesy of Drumstick in the Open Selling Chase at the annual West Norfolk Hunt (known today as Fakenham) meeting.
He had one ride in the Grand National, aboard 50-1 shot Fetlar’s Pride in 1914. They failed to get round, the 13-year-old veteran refusing en route.
He had one ride in the Grand National, aboard 50-1 shot Fetlar’s Pride in 1914. They failed to get round, the 13-year-old veteran refusing en route.
David enjoyed his best year in 1915 with eleven wins. They included a treble at Wye on January 7, 1915, on Safe Drunk in the Selling Handicap Chase, Kingswood in the Selling Handicap Hurdle, and Spearman in the Ashford Handicap Hurdle. All three were trained by Tom Fitton, for whom David rode regularly.
David enjoyed his best year in 1915 with eleven wins. They included a treble at Wye on January 7, 1915, on Safe Drunk in the Selling Handicap Chase, Kingswood in the Selling Handicap Hurdle, and Spearman in the Ashford Handicap Hurdle. All three were trained by Tom Fitton, for whom David rode regularly.
Unfortunately, his most successful year in the saddle coincided with atrocities of the Great War, which by necessity limited his opportunities for the next three years. He began training at East Hendred, near Wantage, in the 1920s while continuing to hold a jockey’s licence.
Unfortunately, his most successful year in the saddle coincided with atrocities of the Great War, which by necessity limited his opportunities for the next three years. He began training at East Hendred, near Wantage, in the 1920s while continuing to hold a jockey’s licence.
He rode his last winner on 8-1 chance Glen Of Imaal, whom he also trained, in the Juvenile Three-Year-Old Selling Hurdle at Ludlow on October 14, 1927. His final two rides, at Birmingham on January 10, 1928, were also on horses he trained, finishing unplaced on Repertoire in the Long Distance Handicap Hurdle and Hatamen in the Maiden Hurdle.
He rode his last winner on 8-1 chance Glen Of Imaal, whom he also trained, in the Juvenile Three-Year-Old Selling Hurdle at Ludlow on October 14, 1927. His final two rides, at Birmingham on January 10, 1928, were also on horses he trained, finishing unplaced on Repertoire in the Long Distance Handicap Hurdle and Hatamen in the Maiden Hurdle.
David then moved his training operation to Seaford, in Sussex. He and his wife Annie first lived in a caravan but then built a nice bungalow next to the yard with all the mod cons – including running water, a flushing toilet and a telephone Their house was the only one in the village with running water or a flushing toilet.
David then moved his training operation to Seaford, in Sussex. He and his wife Annie first lived in a caravan but then built a nice bungalow next to the yard with all the mod cons – including running water, a flushing toilet and a telephone Their house was the only one in the village with running water or a flushing toilet.
They had three children, the eldest of whom, Leonard, known to everyone as Syd (1915-2006), went on to become a successful trainer, winning the Imperial Cup twice with Invader (1964) and Spy Net in 1972. He also won the 1960 Whitbread Gold Cup with Plummers Plain and the 1961 Chester Cup with Hoy.
They had three children, the eldest of whom, Leonard, known to everyone as Syd (1915-2006), went on to become a successful trainer, winning the Imperial Cup twice with Invader (1964) and Spy Net in 1972. He also won the 1960 Whitbread Gold Cup with Plummers Plain and the 1961 Chester Cup with Hoy.
The ‘Turf Who’s Who’ of 1932 refers to David’s stables as an ‘infirmary for bad-legged horses’ where they received ‘treatment by salt-water. Among the rehabilitation methods he used was to tow one or two horses behind a rowing boat to exercise them. At this time there was a clear expanse of sand along Seaford Bay and horses were also exercised by galloping them along the shoreline. The stables remained until the village was cleared prior to the Second World War.
The ‘Turf Who’s Who’ of 1932 refers to David’s stables as an ‘infirmary for bad-legged horses’ where they received ‘treatment by salt-water. Among the rehabilitation methods he used was to tow one or two horses behind a rowing boat to exercise them. At this time there was a clear expanse of sand along Seaford Bay and horses were also exercised by galloping them along the shoreline. The stables remained until the village was cleared prior to the Second World War.
David Dale died in 1963, aged 83.
David Dale died in 1963, aged 83.
Valdes Leal throws David Dale at Gatwick, 1914