Frank Dever
1937 - 2010
Frank Dever was born in Chorley, Lancashire, on December 23, 1937. He came from a show jumping background and rode a total of 31 winners under National Hunt Rules.
Frank Dever was born in Chorley, Lancashire, on December 23, 1937. He came from a show jumping background and rode a total of 31 winners under National Hunt Rules.
His name first appeared on a racecard on 16 May 1955, when he rode Tartan Knight in the Anchor Handicap Chase at Southwell.
His name first appeared on a racecard on 16 May 1955, when he rode Tartan Knight in the Anchor Handicap Chase at Southwell.
At that time Frank was based at the Bury, Lancashire stables of William Whewel, where he worked unpaid for two years and rode as an amateur. It was Whewel who provided him with his first winner, on selling chaser Le Serpent at Uttoxeter on Easter Monday 1956. The combination followed up on the Saturday of Cartmel’s two-day Whitsun fixture.
At that time Frank was based at the Bury, Lancashire stables of William Whewel, where he worked unpaid for two years and rode as an amateur. It was Whewel who provided him with his first winner, on selling chaser Le Serpent at Uttoxeter on Easter Monday 1956. The combination followed up on the Saturday of Cartmel’s two-day Whitsun fixture.
Frank turned professional the following season, 1956/57, and rode a highly respectable eight winners that term. Whewel’s two-mile chaser Red Fable provided three of them, winning at Perth, Carlisle and Ayr within three weeks in the autumn of 1956, while Le Serpent won three more selling chases, at Wetherby, Manchester and Haydock.
Frank turned professional the following season, 1956/57, and rode a highly respectable eight winners that term. Whewel’s two-mile chaser Red Fable provided three of them, winning at Perth, Carlisle and Ayr within three weeks in the autumn of 1956, while Le Serpent won three more selling chases, at Wetherby, Manchester and Haydock.
There was also a spare winning ride on three-mile handicap hurdler Dilazar at Manchester on New Year’s Day 1957. Dilazar was trained by permit holder Wilf White at Malpas, Cheshire. White was better known in show jumping circles as the owner-rider of Nizefella, part of the gold medal-winning team in the 1952 Olympic games in Helsinki.
There was also a spare winning ride on three-mile handicap hurdler Dilazar at Manchester on New Year’s Day 1957. Dilazar was trained by permit holder Wilf White at Malpas, Cheshire. White was better known in show jumping circles as the owner-rider of Nizefella, part of the gold medal-winning team in the 1952 Olympic games in Helsinki.
Frank’s eighth and final winner of what would be the most successful season of his riding career came on Moston Lane, trained by Bob Ward at Hednesford, in a Manchester selling chase on March 23, 1957, ironically beating his old pal Le Serpent into second place.
Frank’s eighth and final winner of what would be the most successful season of his riding career came on Moston Lane, trained by Bob Ward at Hednesford, in a Manchester selling chase on March 23, 1957, ironically beating his old pal Le Serpent into second place.
Frank then endured two winnerless seasons. He returned to winning ways in 1959/60 with six victories, all for local Lancashire permit holders. Four of those wins came courtesy of Pas Si Beau, owned and trained by Leslie Taylor at Darwen, starting with the Turkey and Ham Chase at Liverpool on December 2, followed by a New Year’s Day novice chase at Catterick, Haydock’s Fly Mask Chase a week later, and returning to Haydock in March to win the two-mile Mad Hatter Handicap Chase. He won for a fifth time on Pas Si Beau at Birmingham the following season, one of only two victories during 1960/61. Reflecting on his career, Frank rated Pas Si Beau as the best he rode during his years in the saddle.
Frank then endured two winnerless seasons. He returned to winning ways in 1959/60 with six victories, all for local Lancashire permit holders. Four of those wins came courtesy of Pas Si Beau, owned and trained by Leslie Taylor at Darwen, starting with the Turkey and Ham Chase at Liverpool on December 2, followed by a New Year’s Day novice chase at Catterick, Haydock’s Fly Mask Chase a week later, and returning to Haydock in March to win the two-mile Mad Hatter Handicap Chase. He won for a fifth time on Pas Si Beau at Birmingham the following season, one of only two victories during 1960/61. Reflecting on his career, Frank rated Pas Si Beau as the best he rode during his years in the saddle.
He then went almost three years before the next winner came his way, a chaser called Undoubted at Leicester in January 1964, by which time he was working as stable jockey-cum-head lad for Phil Allingham, who trained near Luton. Frank won twice more on Undoubted and also won on Allingham’s handicap hurdler Fontana Di Trevi at Towcester over Easter to give him a score of four for the season.
He then went almost three years before the next winner came his way, a chaser called Undoubted at Leicester in January 1964, by which time he was working as stable jockey-cum-head lad for Phil Allingham, who trained near Luton. Frank won twice more on Undoubted and also won on Allingham’s handicap hurdler Fontana Di Trevi at Towcester over Easter to give him a score of four for the season.
Undoubted gave Frank two of his three wins in 1964/65, the other being on staying hurdler Shurdani. There were just two the following season, juvenile hurdler Solagold at Fakenham in September and handicap chaser Mac’s Flare at Market Rasen in May.
Undoubted gave Frank two of his three wins in 1964/65, the other being on staying hurdler Shurdani. There were just two the following season, juvenile hurdler Solagold at Fakenham in September and handicap chaser Mac’s Flare at Market Rasen in May.
Having spent three years as Allingham’s head lad, Frank took out a trainer’s licence in 1966, based at Southwell, while continuing to ride in races. On February 20, 1968, he trained and rode the mare Castle Arbour to win a Doncaster novices’ chase. Although she didn’t win again that season or the next, Frank had the experience of riding her in the 1969 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Unsurprisingly they were 100/1 outsiders and had no realistic chance of winning. Frank pulled her up when well out of contention.
Having spent three years as Allingham’s head lad, Frank took out a trainer’s licence in 1966, based at Southwell, while continuing to ride in races. On February 20, 1968, he trained and rode the mare Castle Arbour to win a Doncaster novices’ chase. Although she didn’t win again that season or the next, Frank had the experience of riding her in the 1969 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Unsurprisingly they were 100/1 outsiders and had no realistic chance of winning. Frank pulled her up when well out of contention.
Perhaps the idea of participating in the Gold Cup was by way of realising a long-held ambition in what would be his final year of riding. Both of Frank’s winners in 1969 came on outside rides, the first on Ginger McCain’s chaser Implicate at Market Rasen on Easter Monday; the second on Peter’s Town for Cheshire owner-trainer Frank Barton at Bangor-on-Dee five days later, bringing down the curtain on a 13-year career as a professional jump jockey.
Perhaps the idea of participating in the Gold Cup was by way of realising a long-held ambition in what would be his final year of riding. Both of Frank’s winners in 1969 came on outside rides, the first on Ginger McCain’s chaser Implicate at Market Rasen on Easter Monday; the second on Peter’s Town for Cheshire owner-trainer Frank Barton at Bangor-on-Dee five days later, bringing down the curtain on a 13-year career as a professional jump jockey.
As a trainer, among Frank’s best horses was Bungebah, who won twice over hurdles during his juvenile season and finished third in the valuable Greenham Group Handicap Hurdle at Newbury in March 1973. The following year he saddled Bungebah to win a decent sponsored hurdle race at Towcester. He also took over the training of former top-class chaser Glanford Brigg towards the end of his career and turned him out to win handicap chases at Leicester and Market Rasen under welter burdens of 12st 7lb.
As a trainer, among Frank’s best horses was Bungebah, who won twice over hurdles during his juvenile season and finished third in the valuable Greenham Group Handicap Hurdle at Newbury in March 1973. The following year he saddled Bungebah to win a decent sponsored hurdle race at Towcester. He also took over the training of former top-class chaser Glanford Brigg towards the end of his career and turned him out to win handicap chases at Leicester and Market Rasen under welter burdens of 12st 7lb.
In April 1973, Frank was fined £100 at a Jockey Club inquiry following a routine dope test on Golden Crescent, winner of the Paulersbury Steeplechase at Towcester on October 14, 1972. The horse was disqualified after the test revealed the presence of caffeine. Owner David Hampshire offered a reward of £500 for the conviction of those responsible. He also issued a writ against Frank for the recovery of the £234 prize money which the race was worth.
In April 1973, Frank was fined £100 at a Jockey Club inquiry following a routine dope test on Golden Crescent, winner of the Paulersbury Steeplechase at Towcester on October 14, 1972. The horse was disqualified after the test revealed the presence of caffeine. Owner David Hampshire offered a reward of £500 for the conviction of those responsible. He also issued a writ against Frank for the recovery of the £234 prize money which the race was worth.
Frank was left without speech or mobility with the onset of motor neurone disease in 2001. He died in September 2010, aged 72.
Frank was left without speech or mobility with the onset of motor neurone disease in 2001. He died in September 2010, aged 72.
Frank’s son, Peter, born in 1962, was the stable jockey to the ill-fated John Thorne. Peter's agent was Keith Hewitt, a race reader for the form book for six years.
Frank’s son, Peter, born in 1962, was the stable jockey to the ill-fated John Thorne. Peter's agent was Keith Hewitt, a race reader for the form book for six years.
From The Times, April 4, 1973
From The Times, April 4, 1973
Frank Dever’s winners were in chronological order:
Frank Dever’s winners were in chronological order:
1. Le Serpent, Uttoxeter, April 2, 1956
1. Le Serpent, Uttoxeter, April 2, 1956
2. Le Serpent, Cartmel, May 19, 1956
2. Le Serpent, Cartmel, May 19, 1956
3. Red Fable, Perth, September 27, 1956
3. Red Fable, Perth, September 27, 1956
4. Red Fable, Carlisle, October 8, 1956
4. Red Fable, Carlisle, October 8, 1956
5. Red Fable, Ayr, October 15, 1956
5. Red Fable, Ayr, October 15, 1956
6. Le Serpent, Wetherby, November 17, 1856
6. Le Serpent, Wetherby, November 17, 1856
7. Le Serpent, Manchester, December 8, 1956
7. Le Serpent, Manchester, December 8, 1956
8. Dilazar, Manchester, January 1, 1957
8. Dilazar, Manchester, January 1, 1957
9. Le Serpent, Haydock, January 11, 1957
9. Le Serpent, Haydock, January 11, 1957
10. Moston Lane, Manchester, March 23, 1957
10. Moston Lane, Manchester, March 23, 1957
11. Rathcreedan Beauty, Doncaster, November 21, 1959
11. Rathcreedan Beauty, Doncaster, November 21, 1959
12. Pas Si Beau, Liverpool, December 2, 1959
12. Pas Si Beau, Liverpool, December 2, 1959
13. Pas Si Beau, Catterick, January 1, 1960
13. Pas Si Beau, Catterick, January 1, 1960
14. Pas Si Beau, Haydock, January 8, 1960
14. Pas Si Beau, Haydock, January 8, 1960
15. Rock King, Wolverhampton, January 25, 1960
15. Rock King, Wolverhampton, January 25, 1960
16. Pas Si Beau, Haydock, March 5, 1960
16. Pas Si Beau, Haydock, March 5, 1960
17. Pas Si Beau, Birmingham, January 14, 1961
17. Pas Si Beau, Birmingham, January 14, 1961
18. Rock King, Haydock, March 4, 1961
18. Rock King, Haydock, March 4, 1961
19. Undoubted, Leicester, January 4, 1964
19. Undoubted, Leicester, January 4, 1964
20. Undoubted. Stratford, March 12, 1964
20. Undoubted. Stratford, March 12, 1964
21. Fontana Di Trevi, Towcester, March 28, 1964
21. Fontana Di Trevi, Towcester, March 28, 1964
22. Undoubted, Towcester, April 18, 1964
22. Undoubted, Towcester, April 18, 1964
23. Undoubted, Warwick, November 7, 1964
23. Undoubted, Warwick, November 7, 1964
24. Shurdani, Leicester, November 11, 1964
24. Shurdani, Leicester, November 11, 1964
25. Undoubted, Leicester, November 23, 1964
25. Undoubted, Leicester, November 23, 1964
26. Solagold, Fakenham, September 22, 1965
26. Solagold, Fakenham, September 22, 1965
27. Mac’s Flare, Market Rasen, May 14, 1966
27. Mac’s Flare, Market Rasen, May 14, 1966
28. Castle Arbour, Doncaster, February 20, 1968
28. Castle Arbour, Doncaster, February 20, 1968
29. Hue, Southwell, April 29, 1968
29. Hue, Southwell, April 29, 1968
30. Implicate, Market Rasen, April 7, 1969
30. Implicate, Market Rasen, April 7, 1969
31. Peter’s Town, Bangor-on-Dee, April 12, 1969
31. Peter’s Town, Bangor-on-Dee, April 12, 1969