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Phil Dennis
Phil Dennis
Having started out riding in point-to-points, Phil Dennis rode 272 winners in his 11 years as a Flat jockey before announcing his retirement due to weight issues in July 2024 at the age of 28.
Having started out riding in point-to-points, Phil Dennis rode 272 winners in his 11 years as a Flat jockey before announcing his retirement due to weight issues in July 2024 at the age of 28.
The son of jump jockey turned course inspector Chris Dennis, Phil began his career as a 17-year-old. One of his best horses he rode was the sprinter Ornate, trained by David Griffiths. Ornate showed blistering early speed but barely stayed five furlongs, yet Phil won eight races on him including the Epsom Dash in 2019, the year in which also achieved a career-best score of 47 winners.
The son of jump jockey turned course inspector Chris Dennis, Phil began his career as a 17-year-old. One of his best horses he rode was the sprinter Ornate, trained by David Griffiths. Ornate showed blistering early speed but barely stayed five furlongs, yet Phil won eight races on him including the Epsom Dash in 2019, the year in which also achieved a career-best score of 47 winners.
He registered a 2,948-1 four-timer at Newcastle during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He registered a 2,948-1 four-timer at Newcastle during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tall for a Flat jockey at 5ft 11ins, by 2023 his lowest weight was 8st 13lb and he partnered just 12 winners that year.
Tall for a Flat jockey at 5ft 11ins, by 2023 his lowest weight was 8st 13lb and he partnered just 12 winners that year.
He rode his last winner on 9/4 favourite Jumeira Vison, trained by Kate Scott, at Hamilton Park on 13 July 2024.
He rode his last winner on 9/4 favourite Jumeira Vison, trained by Kate Scott, at Hamilton Park on 13 July 2024.
With weight issues having become unsustainable, he had his final ride in a 7-furlong class 5 handicap at Beverley three days later. He was applauded into the parade ring, his weighing room colleagues forming a guard of honour. His mount, the Tina Jackson Park Street, was sent off the 11/4 favourite but was sadly unable to provide a fairytale ending, finishing fourth of the ten runners.
With weight issues having become unsustainable, he had his final ride in a 7-furlong class 5 handicap at Beverley three days later. He was applauded into the parade ring, his weighing room colleagues forming a guard of honour. His mount, the Tina Jackson Park Street, was sent off the 11/4 favourite but was sadly unable to provide a fairytale ending, finishing fourth of the ten runners.
Phil acknowledged that making the weight had been a “constant battle” in recent seasons. He told Racing TV: “It just comes to a time when you think ‘well that’s enough.’ I know I have left nothing out there, it has been a good journey.”
Phil acknowledged that making the weight had been a “constant battle” in recent seasons. He told Racing TV: “It just comes to a time when you think ‘well that’s enough.’ I know I have left nothing out there, it has been a good journey.”
He confirmed that he was competing a “lot lighter” than his natural weight, which he hadn’t been for some time. He added: “It’s a relentless game, all year round. I have enjoyed it and you can only do it for so long.”
He confirmed that he was competing a “lot lighter” than his natural weight, which he hadn’t been for some time. He added: “It’s a relentless game, all year round. I have enjoyed it and you can only do it for so long.”
Shortly after his retirement from the saddle, Phil followed his father Chris onto the BHA payroll. A vacancy arose for a starter in the Midlands area. Phil applied and got the job. He made his debut on 16 October at Wetherby’s first meeting of 2024/25 jumps season
Shortly after his retirement from the saddle, Phil followed his father Chris onto the BHA payroll. A vacancy arose for a starter in the Midlands area. Phil applied and got the job. He made his debut on 16 October at Wetherby’s first meeting of 2024/25 jumps season
He told the Racing Post: “You train on the job and that lasts for s few months, which will take me up to the end of the year. It’s a different challenge but things are starting to come together. Nothing will replace the buzz of riding and I was lucky to have 11 years at that, but I enjoy this."
He told the Racing Post: “You train on the job and that lasts for s few months, which will take me up to the end of the year. It’s a different challenge but things are starting to come together. Nothing will replace the buzz of riding and I was lucky to have 11 years at that, but I enjoy this."
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