Thomas Dent
Thomas Dent
Thomas Dent
Born in 1881, National Hunt jockey Thomas Dent rode nine winners over jumps between 1902 and 1912, plus one on the Flat. He also had some success in Ireland.
Born in 1881, National Hunt jockey Thomas Dent rode nine winners over jumps between 1902 and 1912, plus one on the Flat. He also had some success in Ireland.
His first winner in Britain came at Hooton Park on November 1, 1902, when Lord Abbot won the Westminster Steeplechase by six lengths from Saxilby, the mount of champion jockey ‘Tich’ Mason. The four-year-old had already won two races in Ireland, ridden by Paddy Cowley, who, like Mason, would cross the Irish Sea and become Britain’s champion National hunt jockey in 1908.
His first winner in Britain came at Hooton Park on November 1, 1902, when Lord Abbot won the Westminster Steeplechase by six lengths from Saxilby, the mount of champion jockey ‘Tich’ Mason. The four-year-old had already won two races in Ireland, ridden by Paddy Cowley, who, like Mason, would cross the Irish Sea and become Britain’s champion National hunt jockey in 1908.
Thomas spent the next three years in Ireland, where he rode for Captain Dewhurst’s stable, mostly over fences. He did, though, finish third on Katoomba in the Lancashire Chase at Manchester on Easter Monday 1903. His Irish winners during that time included, on the Flat, the one-mile Ladies’ Handicap at Tuam in July 1903 on Hungarian, and, over jumps, the City Hurdle at Limerick in May 1905 on Garvaghy.
Thomas spent the next three years in Ireland, where he rode for Captain Dewhurst’s stable, mostly over fences. He did, though, finish third on Katoomba in the Lancashire Chase at Manchester on Easter Monday 1903. His Irish winners during that time included, on the Flat, the one-mile Ladies’ Handicap at Tuam in July 1903 on Hungarian, and, over jumps, the City Hurdle at Limerick in May 1905 on Garvaghy.
He rode four winners on his return to Britain in 1906, plus one on the Flat when Wolf-Hound took the County Plate at Bath in May. He had two wins in the early part of 1907 but was unable to achieve a real breakthrough. He had one ride over the Liverpool fences when a faller on Faithless Lad in the 1907 Stanley Chase.
He rode four winners on his return to Britain in 1906, plus one on the Flat when Wolf-Hound took the County Plate at Bath in May. He had two wins in the early part of 1907 but was unable to achieve a real breakthrough. He had one ride over the Liverpool fences when a faller on Faithless Lad in the 1907 Stanley Chase.
He received praise for riding a “confident race” when beating the 3-1 on favourite Vinegar Hill in a match for the Four- and Five-Year-Old Steeplechase at Hurst Park on March 9, 1909, his first win in Britain for over two years. His mount, Broadside, won two races later that year, but by that time leading jockeys such as Ernie Piggott and Spink Walkington were aboard him.
He received praise for riding a “confident race” when beating the 3-1 on favourite Vinegar Hill in a match for the Four- and Five-Year-Old Steeplechase at Hurst Park on March 9, 1909, his first win in Britain for over two years. His mount, Broadside, won two races later that year, but by that time leading jockeys such as Ernie Piggott and Spink Walkington were aboard him.
Thomas rode his last winner on Peter Gow in the Montgomerie Steeplechase at Bogside on April 20, 1912. He did not renew his licence the following year.
Thomas rode his last winner on Peter Gow in the Montgomerie Steeplechase at Bogside on April 20, 1912. He did not renew his licence the following year.
It is highly likely, though not confirmed, that he was the father of, or related to, Thomas Henry (Tommy) Dent (born December 18, 1903), who had one winner as an apprentice – Radiacy in the Park Apprentice Plate at Pontefract on April 22, 1920 – then rode successfully under Pony Turf Club Rules and also rode winners in Iraq.
It is highly likely, though not confirmed, that he was the father of, or related to, Thomas Henry (Tommy) Dent (born December 18, 1903), who had one winner as an apprentice – Radiacy in the Park Apprentice Plate at Pontefract on April 22, 1920 – then rode successfully under Pony Turf Club Rules and also rode winners in Iraq.
Tommy, whose hobbies included writing plays, took out a trainer’s licence in 1941, based at Rufforth, near York, and trained there until 1963. His best horses were Society’s Way, who won York’s Melrose Handicap in 1954 under apprentice Denis Ward, and Hard And Soft, who gave Tommy his biggest success when winning the 1960 Zetland Gold Cup in the hands of Alec Russell.
Tommy, whose hobbies included writing plays, took out a trainer’s licence in 1941, based at Rufforth, near York, and trained there until 1963. His best horses were Society’s Way, who won York’s Melrose Handicap in 1954 under apprentice Denis Ward, and Hard And Soft, who gave Tommy his biggest success when winning the 1960 Zetland Gold Cup in the hands of Alec Russell.
Thomas Dent’s winners were, in chronological order:
Thomas Dent’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Lord Abbot, Hooton Park, November 1, 1902
1. Lord Abbot, Hooton Park, November 1, 1902
2. St. Gamp, Rugby Hunt, March 22, 1906
2. St. Gamp, Rugby Hunt, March 22, 1906
3. St. Gamp, Towcester, April 16, 1906
3. St. Gamp, Towcester, April 16, 1906
4. Extra Hack, Worcester, Mat 2, 1906
4. Extra Hack, Worcester, Mat 2, 1906
5. Wolf-Hound, Bath, May 23, 1906
5. Wolf-Hound, Bath, May 23, 1906
6. Buckle, Newport, November 15, 1906
6. Buckle, Newport, November 15, 1906
7. Doggie, Windsor, January 4, 1907
7. Doggie, Windsor, January 4, 1907
8. Faithless Lad, Warwick, February 20, 1907
8. Faithless Lad, Warwick, February 20, 1907
9. Broadside, Hurst Park, March 9, 1909
9. Broadside, Hurst Park, March 9, 1909
10. Peter Gow, Bogside, April 20, 1912
10. Peter Gow, Bogside, April 20, 1912
Tommy's first winner: Lord Abbot, Hooton Park, November 1, 1902
Tommy's first winner: Lord Abbot, Hooton Park, November 1, 1902
Tommy's final winner: Peter Gow, Bogside, April 20, 1912
Tommy's final winner: Peter Gow, Bogside, April 20, 1912