Richard Dennis
Richard Thomas John Dennis was born on August 13, 1964. A product of the Les Kennard school of conditional jockeys, he rode his first winner aged just 16 on Snowdrop Wonder on February 17, 1981. He finished that season with four wins from 45 rides.
Richard Thomas John Dennis was born on August 13, 1964. A product of the Les Kennard school of conditional jockeys, he rode his first winner aged just 16 on Snowdrop Wonder on February 17, 1981. He finished that season with four wins from 45 rides.
He kicked off the 1981/82 season in fine style, riding nine winners in the first seven weeks of the campaign, all for Les Kennard. They comprised:
He kicked off the 1981/82 season in fine style, riding nine winners in the first seven weeks of the campaign, all for Les Kennard. They comprised:
Aug 3: Rugantino Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle, Newton Abbot on Gently Does It
Aug 3: Rugantino Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle, Newton Abbot on Gently Does It
Aug 8: Wales Tourist Board Handicap Chase, Worcester on Tom Sawyer
Aug 8: Wales Tourist Board Handicap Chase, Worcester on Tom Sawyer
Aug 19: City of Exeter Challenge Cup Handicap Chase, Devon & Exeter on Yes Yes Yes
Aug 19: City of Exeter Challenge Cup Handicap Chase, Devon & Exeter on Yes Yes Yes
Aug 20: Whitestone Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, Devon & Exeter on Migrator
Aug 20: Whitestone Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, Devon & Exeter on Migrator
Aug 27: Weldon Memorial Cup Handicap Hurdle, Devon & Exeter on Ring Tin Tin
Aug 27: Weldon Memorial Cup Handicap Hurdle, Devon & Exeter on Ring Tin Tin
Sep 1: St John Ambulance Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle, Newton Abbot on Migrator
Sep 1: St John Ambulance Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle, Newton Abbot on Migrator
Sep 2: The Wombat Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle, Newton Abbot on Ring Tin Tin
Sep 2: The Wombat Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle, Newton Abbot on Ring Tin Tin
Sep 11: Appledore Handicap Chase, Newton Abbot on Tom Sawyer
Sep 11: Appledore Handicap Chase, Newton Abbot on Tom Sawyer
Sep 24: Well To Do Challenge Trophy Handicap Hurdle, Devon & Exeter on Migrator
Sep 24: Well To Do Challenge Trophy Handicap Hurdle, Devon & Exeter on Migrator
However, back at Devon & Exeter on Friday, September 25, the day after winning on Migrator, Richard suffered a crashing first-flight fall from Ring Tin Tin. He was rushed to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and placed in the intensive care with serious head injuries. Happily, within a week he was out of intensive care and in a main ward, where his condition was described as “stable”. A month later it was announced that the 17-year-old expected to be riding again by Christmas.
However, back at Devon & Exeter on Friday, September 25, the day after winning on Migrator, Richard suffered a crashing first-flight fall from Ring Tin Tin. He was rushed to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and placed in the intensive care with serious head injuries. Happily, within a week he was out of intensive care and in a main ward, where his condition was described as “stable”. A month later it was announced that the 17-year-old expected to be riding again by Christmas.
Remarkably, he was back in action at Newton Abbot on Boxing Day. He rode his comeback winner on Triska at Taunton on January 28, 1982. On February 16 he won a Newton Abbot novices’ selling hurdle on Millfield Royal, then won on him again at Windsor in March. He steered Triska to victory again in April.
Remarkably, he was back in action at Newton Abbot on Boxing Day. He rode his comeback winner on Triska at Taunton on January 28, 1982. On February 16 he won a Newton Abbot novices’ selling hurdle on Millfield Royal, then won on him again at Windsor in March. He steered Triska to victory again in April.
Les Kennard modus operandi of utilising his 7lb claimers meant that by that time Richard was already being replaced by others. Kennard’s support of female jump jockeys had borne fruit with Lorna Vincent and now he was providing similar opportunities to Cathy Bramhall and Susan Wilton.
Les Kennard modus operandi of utilising his 7lb claimers meant that by that time Richard was already being replaced by others. Kennard’s support of female jump jockeys had borne fruit with Lorna Vincent and now he was providing similar opportunities to Cathy Bramhall and Susan Wilton.
Richard joined Martin Pipe’s stable for the 1982/83 season but, sadly, his career never really took off again after its early promise. He continued riding throughout the 1980s, achieving his final success in the 1989/90 season. How different things might have been but for that one bad fall when things were going so well.
Richard joined Martin Pipe’s stable for the 1982/83 season but, sadly, his career never really took off again after its early promise. He continued riding throughout the 1980s, achieving his final success in the 1989/90 season. How different things might have been but for that one bad fall when things were going so well.