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Nigel Dunger
Nigel Dunger
Nigel Adrian Dunger had two wins over jumps, four years apart. He was apprenticed to Richard Head, having started work at Lambourn when he was 15. He made an excellent start to his career with a victory on his first ride. This was at Lingfield Park on March 3, 1977, when the 12-year-old Merry Maker came with a strong run to overhaul Royal Rudolf on the flat and land the Edenbridge Opportunity Handicap Hurdle by two lengths. The Raceform form book, being unfamiliar with his name, spelt his name in the result as ‘Danger’.
Nigel Adrian Dunger had two wins over jumps, four years apart. He was apprenticed to Richard Head, having started work at Lambourn when he was 15. He made an excellent start to his career with a victory on his first ride. This was at Lingfield Park on March 3, 1977, when the 12-year-old Merry Maker came with a strong run to overhaul Royal Rudolf on the flat and land the Edenbridge Opportunity Handicap Hurdle by two lengths. The Raceform form book, being unfamiliar with his name, spelt his name in the result as ‘Danger’.
Nigel had one more, unplaced, start on Merry Maker before John Francome took over in the saddle. He had few opportunities to shine in the next few seasons but he finally recorded a second victory at Fakenham on Easter Monday, April 20, 1981, when Migrator comfortably won the Coral Handicap Hurdle. The five-year-old, trained by former leading amateur rider Gay Kindersley, beat Lord Leighton by three lengths. It was the only time Nigel rode him.
Nigel had one more, unplaced, start on Merry Maker before John Francome took over in the saddle. He had few opportunities to shine in the next few seasons but he finally recorded a second victory at Fakenham on Easter Monday, April 20, 1981, when Migrator comfortably won the Coral Handicap Hurdle. The five-year-old, trained by former leading amateur rider Gay Kindersley, beat Lord Leighton by three lengths. It was the only time Nigel rode him.
His career as a jockey ended when Falkland Conqueror finished unplaced in the Axbridge Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) at Wincanton on Easter Monday, April 4, 1983. But that was far from his final contribution to the world of racing.
His career as a jockey ended when Falkland Conqueror finished unplaced in the Axbridge Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) at Wincanton on Easter Monday, April 4, 1983. But that was far from his final contribution to the world of racing.
He worked for various trainers including Nicky Henderson and looked after a Grand National runner-up and two Cheltenham Festival winners during his time there. He also spent 18 years as travelling head lad to Amanda Perrett
He worked for various trainers including Nicky Henderson and looked after a Grand National runner-up and two Cheltenham Festival winners during his time there. He also spent 18 years as travelling head lad to Amanda Perrett
He then began training, based at Pulborough, West Sussex, combining that with his roles as yard manager/welfare officer for the Racehorse Sanctuary & Rehoming Centre.
He then began training, based at Pulborough, West Sussex, combining that with his roles as yard manager/welfare officer for the Racehorse Sanctuary & Rehoming Centre.
The lightly-raced nine-year-old Pride Of Pemberley gave him the perfect start to 2021 when becoming his first winner in 660 days when landing the Happy New Year Handicap Hurdle at Fakenham, prevailing by four and a quarter lengths under Robbie Dunne from the favourite At First Glance.
The lightly-raced nine-year-old Pride Of Pemberley gave him the perfect start to 2021 when becoming his first winner in 660 days when landing the Happy New Year Handicap Hurdle at Fakenham, prevailing by four and a quarter lengths under Robbie Dunne from the favourite At First Glance.
Neil Dunger's first winner, Merry Maker: Lingfield Park on March 3, 1977
His second & final winner, Migrator, came at Fakenham on Easter Monday, April 20, 1981
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