Richard Dennard
1944 - 2021
1944 - 2021
'Richard Dennard gains more and more admirers each time he rides in public...'
'Richard Dennard gains more and more admirers each time he rides in public...'
So started an article in the Times after Richard's impressive win on the French-bred Soldo at Cheltenham.
So started an article in the Times after Richard's impressive win on the French-bred Soldo at Cheltenham.
Richard John Dennard lived at Yew Tree Cottage in Shipbourne, Tonbridge, Kent, and was born on 21 June, 1944.
Richard John Dennard lived at Yew Tree Cottage in Shipbourne, Tonbridge, Kent, and was born on 21 June, 1944.
He served his apprenticeship with Peter Cazalet and lost his 7 lb claiming allowance in January 1968. He lost his full allowance when aged 24, riding Escalus to win the last race at Sandown on November 9, 1968.
He served his apprenticeship with Peter Cazalet and lost his 7 lb claiming allowance in January 1968. He lost his full allowance when aged 24, riding Escalus to win the last race at Sandown on November 9, 1968.
His first winner came on Easter Saturday, 1967 when riding Extel at Plumpton.
His first winner came on Easter Saturday, 1967 when riding Extel at Plumpton.
Richard was on board Master Daniel when that horse won at Worcester on December 3, 1969. It was the Queen Mother's 200th winner.
Richard was on board Master Daniel when that horse won at Worcester on December 3, 1969. It was the Queen Mother's 200th winner.
His first win in the royal colours had come on Woodman at Folkestone on April 9, 1968.
His first win in the royal colours had come on Woodman at Folkestone on April 9, 1968.
Other good horses he rode were Black Magic and Inch Arran, on which he broke the two-mile record at Plumpton, 22 September 1970. The course owed Richard something special for it was here that he had fractured his neck a year earlier.
Other good horses he rode were Black Magic and Inch Arran, on which he broke the two-mile record at Plumpton, 22 September 1970. The course owed Richard something special for it was here that he had fractured his neck a year earlier.
On June 20, 1964, he married Diane Bearsby. She gave him a son, Martin Stephen, and a daughter, Simone Frances.
On June 20, 1964, he married Diane Bearsby. She gave him a son, Martin Stephen, and a daughter, Simone Frances.
He achieved his two biggest successes in the 1972 BP Chase over Aintree's Grand National fences on Inch Arran, and the 1973 Haydock Park National Trial on Highland Seal.
He achieved his two biggest successes in the 1972 BP Chase over Aintree's Grand National fences on Inch Arran, and the 1973 Haydock Park National Trial on Highland Seal.
Richard Dennard died in January 2021, aged 71.
Richard Dennard died in January 2021, aged 71.