Paul Dennis
Northern-based jump jockey Paul Dennis was born on January 18, 1965. He was a successful amateur rider and came within half a length of Cheltenham glory when finishing second on Planetman in the 1986 Kim Muir Memorial Challenge Cup.
Northern-based jump jockey Paul Dennis was born on January 18, 1965. He was a successful amateur rider and came within half a length of Cheltenham glory when finishing second on Planetman in the 1986 Kim Muir Memorial Challenge Cup.
Paul turned professional the following season and enjoyed a fruitful period during the 1986/87 season, riding as stable jockey to Stocksfield trainer Alastair Charlton. His wins included three on Charlton’s best horse, Ida’s Delight, recording victories at Ayr and twice at Perth.
Paul turned professional the following season and enjoyed a fruitful period during the 1986/87 season, riding as stable jockey to Stocksfield trainer Alastair Charlton. His wins included three on Charlton’s best horse, Ida’s Delight, recording victories at Ayr and twice at Perth.
The following season, 1987/88, Paul won first time out on Ida’s Delight at Catterick on November 7, then won an Ayr handicap chase another of Charlton’s horses, Proud Con on November 20. But disaster struck at Catterick the very next day, He had five rides, three pulled up, one unplaced, then in the last race he suffered an injury in a last flight fall from Roman Delight which ended his season.
The following season, 1987/88, Paul won first time out on Ida’s Delight at Catterick on November 7, then won an Ayr handicap chase another of Charlton’s horses, Proud Con on November 20. But disaster struck at Catterick the very next day, He had five rides, three pulled up, one unplaced, then in the last race he suffered an injury in a last flight fall from Roman Delight which ended his season.
Paul struggled for rides when he eventually resumed. Ida’s Delight finally put him back in the winner’s enclosure when landing the Frogmore Handicap Chase at Ascot on December 17, 1988, his first winner for more than a year. Next time out, back at Ascot in January 1989, the pair finished a heroic third behind Desert Orchid and Panto Prince, who fought out that never-to-be-forgotten climax to the Victor Chandler Chase. Paul then rode Ida’s Delight to finish a close third in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in March.
Paul struggled for rides when he eventually resumed. Ida’s Delight finally put him back in the winner’s enclosure when landing the Frogmore Handicap Chase at Ascot on December 17, 1988, his first winner for more than a year. Next time out, back at Ascot in January 1989, the pair finished a heroic third behind Desert Orchid and Panto Prince, who fought out that never-to-be-forgotten climax to the Victor Chandler Chase. Paul then rode Ida’s Delight to finish a close third in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in March.
Surprisingly, that effort effectively marked the end of Paul’s career in the saddle, although he continued to hold a licence until 1990.
Surprisingly, that effort effectively marked the end of Paul’s career in the saddle, although he continued to hold a licence until 1990.