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David Dale
David Dale
Born on August 26, 1934, David Dale was the son of successful Leonard Dale (1915-2006), known to everyone as Syd, whose major victories included the 1960 Whitbread Gold Cup with Plummers Plain, the 1961 Chester Cup with Hoy, 1964 Senior Service Trophy with John o’ Groats, and two Imperial Cups with Invader (1964) and Spy Net in 1972.
Born on August 26, 1934, David Dale was the son of successful Leonard Dale (1915-2006), known to everyone as Syd, whose major victories included the 1960 Whitbread Gold Cup with Plummers Plain, the 1961 Chester Cup with Hoy, 1964 Senior Service Trophy with John o’ Groats, and two Imperial Cups with Invader (1964) and Spy Net in 1972.
David was named after his grandfather who rode 33 winners between 1906 and 1927 and later trained at Seaford, in Sussex. David himself rode just four winners but, like his grandfather and father, also went on to have a successful training career.
David was named after his grandfather who rode 33 winners between 1906 and 1927 and later trained at Seaford, in Sussex. David himself rode just four winners but, like his grandfather and father, also went on to have a successful training career.
He held a jump jockey’s licence between 1956/57 and 1960/61, during which time he also acted as head lad to his father. He rode his first winner on the six-year-old Aristotle in the Northiam Novices’ Hurdle (Division Two) at Wye on October 7, 1958, winning by half a length. His second victory came aboard Florestan, owned and trained by his father, in the Havant Selling Handicap Chase at Fontwell Park on Boxing Day 1958, scoring by a neck.
He held a jump jockey’s licence between 1956/57 and 1960/61, during which time he also acted as head lad to his father. He rode his first winner on the six-year-old Aristotle in the Northiam Novices’ Hurdle (Division Two) at Wye on October 7, 1958, winning by half a length. His second victory came aboard Florestan, owned and trained by his father, in the Havant Selling Handicap Chase at Fontwell Park on Boxing Day 1958, scoring by a neck.
Fontwell was also the venue for David’s first win of the 1959/60 season, when Devon Customer just managed to win the Arundel Handicap Chase on September 14, scraping home by a neck from Energy, the mount of Johnny Lehane. Although David rode Devon Customer a couple more times that season, Joe Guest would be in the saddle when the horse recorded his biggest triumph in the Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting.
Fontwell was also the venue for David’s first win of the 1959/60 season, when Devon Customer just managed to win the Arundel Handicap Chase on September 14, scraping home by a neck from Energy, the mount of Johnny Lehane. Although David rode Devon Customer a couple more times that season, Joe Guest would be in the saddle when the horse recorded his biggest triumph in the Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting.
David’s final victory came at Plumpton on January 27, 1960, when Stanley’s Gift, trained by his father, was an easy winner of the Rottingdean Novices’ Chase. The nine-year-old was running for the first time under National Hunt rules.
David’s final victory came at Plumpton on January 27, 1960, when Stanley’s Gift, trained by his father, was an easy winner of the Rottingdean Novices’ Chase. The nine-year-old was running for the first time under National Hunt rules.
Undoubtedly the best horse David rode in a race was Plummers Plain. He partnered him twice in December 1959, finishing fourth each time, in a Plumpton novices’ chase and a Windsor handicap chase. Stable jockey Ron Harrison then took over and it was he who guided Plummers Plain to a famous 20-1 success in the 1960 Whitbread Gold Cup.
Undoubtedly the best horse David rode in a race was Plummers Plain. He partnered him twice in December 1959, finishing fourth each time, in a Plumpton novices’ chase and a Windsor handicap chase. Stable jockey Ron Harrison then took over and it was he who guided Plummers Plain to a famous 20-1 success in the 1960 Whitbread Gold Cup.
David had his final ride when pulling up on Where's Mama in the Hurlingham Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Hurst Park on February 4, 1961. He did not renew his licence for the 1961/62 season.
David had his final ride when pulling up on Where's Mama in the Hurlingham Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Hurst Park on February 4, 1961. He did not renew his licence for the 1961/62 season.
In 1973, soon after his father retired, David began training, based at Wishanger Racing Stables, Churt, near Farnham. He moved to Exeter House, Newmarket, in 1978. Among his best horses was Spy Net, who his father had trained to win six races including the 1972 Imperial Cup. Following a lengthy spell without winning, David nursed him back to win nine more races in the late 1970s. He last held a licence in 1987.
In 1973, soon after his father retired, David began training, based at Wishanger Racing Stables, Churt, near Farnham. He moved to Exeter House, Newmarket, in 1978. Among his best horses was Spy Net, who his father had trained to win six races including the 1972 Imperial Cup. Following a lengthy spell without winning, David nursed him back to win nine more races in the late 1970s. He last held a licence in 1987.
David Dale’s wins were, in chronological order:
David Dale’s wins were, in chronological order:
1. Aristotle, Wye, October 7, 1958
1. Aristotle, Wye, October 7, 1958
2. Florestan, Fontwell Park, December 26, 1958
2. Florestan, Fontwell Park, December 26, 1958
3. Devon Customer, Fontwell Park, September 14, 1959
3. Devon Customer, Fontwell Park, September 14, 1959
4. Stanley’s Gift, Plumpton, January 27, 1960
4. Stanley’s Gift, Plumpton, January 27, 1960
David Dale's second winner: Florestan, Fontwell Park, December 26, 1958
David Dale's second winner: Florestan, Fontwell Park, December 26, 1958
David Dale's final winner: Stanley’s Gift, Plumpton, January 27, 1960
David Dale's final winner: Stanley’s Gift, Plumpton, January 27, 1960
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