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Jim Dundon
Jim Dundon
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Jim Dundon made a promising start to his career under National Hunt rules with six wins in his first season, but he was only able to add two more after that.
Jim Dundon made a promising start to his career under National Hunt rules with six wins in his first season, but he was only able to add two more after that.
Associated with the Upper Lambourn stable of Patrick Haslam, he made an excellent start, winning on his first ride when 10/1 chance Chirpy got up in the last few strides to beat Prince Of Guys by half a length in the Okemant Novices’ Selling Hurdle at Newton Abbot on August 11, 1972. The runner-up was ridden by Jeff King, one of the top jockeys of the period and also among the strongest in a finish.
Associated with the Upper Lambourn stable of Patrick Haslam, he made an excellent start, winning on his first ride when 10/1 chance Chirpy got up in the last few strides to beat Prince Of Guys by half a length in the Okemant Novices’ Selling Hurdle at Newton Abbot on August 11, 1972. The runner-up was ridden by Jeff King, one of the top jockeys of the period and also among the strongest in a finish.
Chirpy was not seen on a racecourse again for nearly 16 months but Jim found a more than adequate replacement in another of Haslam’s horses, Flower Day, taking the Rees Selling Hurdle at Plumpton on Bank Holiday Monday, August, 28, beating Donna Martalia by seven lengths. Two days later they finished tailed off at Fontwell, but next time out they came with a strong late run to beat Delta Line by two lengths in the Channel Novices’ Hurdle at Folkestone.
Chirpy was not seen on a racecourse again for nearly 16 months but Jim found a more than adequate replacement in another of Haslam’s horses, Flower Day, taking the Rees Selling Hurdle at Plumpton on Bank Holiday Monday, August, 28, beating Donna Martalia by seven lengths. Two days later they finished tailed off at Fontwell, but next time out they came with a strong late run to beat Delta Line by two lengths in the Channel Novices’ Hurdle at Folkestone.
Two more disappointing efforts followed before, perhaps, a lucky victory at Wye on December 11. Flower Day was no better than third approaching and the second last flight in the Elham Selling Handicap Hurdle, when the leader Nearly Light ran out, taking the second placed Roehampton with him, leaving Jim’s mount to go on and win by three lengths.
Two more disappointing efforts followed before, perhaps, a lucky victory at Wye on December 11. Flower Day was no better than third approaching and the second last flight in the Elham Selling Handicap Hurdle, when the leader Nearly Light ran out, taking the second placed Roehampton with him, leaving Jim’s mount to go on and win by three lengths.
Clearly not the most consistent of performers, Flower Day then ran twice disappointingly before popping up again at Wye on January 8 to land the Tenterton Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle by a neck after a prolonged duel with King Of Persia.
Clearly not the most consistent of performers, Flower Day then ran twice disappointingly before popping up again at Wye on January 8 to land the Tenterton Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle by a neck after a prolonged duel with King Of Persia.
Jim’s final win of the season was also at Wye, where Sports Club proved too good for ten rivals in the Eastling Handicap Hurdle (Division 1) on May 8, beating Ventora by three lengths.
Jim’s final win of the season was also at Wye, where Sports Club proved too good for ten rivals in the Eastling Handicap Hurdle (Division 1) on May 8, beating Ventora by three lengths.
His first success of the 1973/74 campaign was not until March 9, when Minto Boy, again trained by Patrick Haslam, was a very easy winner of the Shire Selling Handicap Hurdle at Chepstow, trouncing Welshes by 20 lengths. Seven days later he had what proved to be his final victory when the five-year-old Sweet Anice took the lead two flights out and battled on to take the Eden Selling Hurdle at Lingfield Park by two lengths.
His first success of the 1973/74 campaign was not until March 9, when Minto Boy, again trained by Patrick Haslam, was a very easy winner of the Shire Selling Handicap Hurdle at Chepstow, trouncing Welshes by 20 lengths. Seven days later he had what proved to be his final victory when the five-year-old Sweet Anice took the lead two flights out and battled on to take the Eden Selling Hurdle at Lingfield Park by two lengths.
Jim had few further rides after that, the last coming at Devon & Exeter on September 25, 1974, when Zanya finished fourth in the Peters Novices’ Selling Hurdle.
Jim had few further rides after that, the last coming at Devon & Exeter on September 25, 1974, when Zanya finished fourth in the Peters Novices’ Selling Hurdle.
Jim Dundon’s winners were, in chronological order:
Jim Dundon’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Chirpy, Newton Abbot, August 11, 1972
1. Chirpy, Newton Abbot, August 11, 1972
2. Flower Day, Plumpton, August 28, 1972
2. Flower Day, Plumpton, August 28, 1972
3. Flower Day, Folkestone, September 11, 1972
3. Flower Day, Folkestone, September 11, 1972
4. Flower Day, Wye, December 11, 1972
4. Flower Day, Wye, December 11, 1972
5. Flower Day, Wye, January 8, 1973
5. Flower Day, Wye, January 8, 1973
6. Sports Club, Wye, May 8, 1973
6. Sports Club, Wye, May 8, 1973
7. Minto Boy, Chepstow, March 9, 1974
7. Minto Boy, Chepstow, March 9, 1974
8. Sweet Anice, Lingfield Park, March 16, 1974
8. Sweet Anice, Lingfield Park, March 16, 1974
Jim Dundon's first winner: Chirpy, Newton Abbot, August 11, 1972
Jim Dundon's first winner: Chirpy, Newton Abbot, August 11, 1972
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