Tony Dennis
National Hunt jockey Anthony (Tony) Dennis was born on July 12, 1935. He served his apprenticeship from 1949 to 1954 with George Vergette, whose stables were located at Market Deeping, near Peterborough.
National Hunt jockey Anthony (Tony) Dennis was born on July 12, 1935. He served his apprenticeship from 1949 to 1954 with George Vergette, whose stables were located at Market Deeping, near Peterborough.
He rode two winners as an apprentice on the Flat, both of them on a horse named Titian. The first of those was in the Apprentice Handicap at Pontefract on June 6, 1953; the second two months later in the Darlaston Plate at Wolverhampton on August 3.
He rode two winners as an apprentice on the Flat, both of them on a horse named Titian. The first of those was in the Apprentice Handicap at Pontefract on June 6, 1953; the second two months later in the Darlaston Plate at Wolverhampton on August 3.
He took out a jump jockey’s licence in the 1956/57 season and achieved his first success in that sphere on Liconda, trained by Peter Rice-Stringer, in the two-mile Londesborough Handicap Chase at Sandown on January 19, 1957. They followed up six days later by landing the Easter Hero Handicap Chase at Kempton Park, giving Tony what would be the biggest win of his career.
He took out a jump jockey’s licence in the 1956/57 season and achieved his first success in that sphere on Liconda, trained by Peter Rice-Stringer, in the two-mile Londesborough Handicap Chase at Sandown on January 19, 1957. They followed up six days later by landing the Easter Hero Handicap Chase at Kempton Park, giving Tony what would be the biggest win of his career.
He married Yvonne Salt on May 30, 1959. Soon afterwards he became first jockey to Dorking-based trainer Alec Kerr, with whom he would spend the rest of his riding career.
He married Yvonne Salt on May 30, 1959. Soon afterwards he became first jockey to Dorking-based trainer Alec Kerr, with whom he would spend the rest of his riding career.
He rode four winners during the 1960/61 season, all of them for Kerr, beginning with novice hurdler Aberdonian at Kempton on January 27, 1961. The other three came courtesy of Kerr’s handicap hurdler Young Rennie, scoring at Hurst Park in February, dead-heating at Plumpton on Easter Monday, then winning again at Plumpton in May.
He rode four winners during the 1960/61 season, all of them for Kerr, beginning with novice hurdler Aberdonian at Kempton on January 27, 1961. The other three came courtesy of Kerr’s handicap hurdler Young Rennie, scoring at Hurst Park in February, dead-heating at Plumpton on Easter Monday, then winning again at Plumpton in May.
Tony had three winners the following season and two the next, including Alec Kerr’s Nursery End in a four-year-old hurdle at Wye on March 25, 1963. That horse would provide him with further success towards the end of his career.
Tony had three winners the following season and two the next, including Alec Kerr’s Nursery End in a four-year-old hurdle at Wye on March 25, 1963. That horse would provide him with further success towards the end of his career.
Two of Tony’s wins in 1963/64 were gained on Kerr’s two-mile handicap hurdler Aemilianus, scoring at Windsor on December 11, 1963 and following up over course and distance on January 3, 1964.
Two of Tony’s wins in 1963/64 were gained on Kerr’s two-mile handicap hurdler Aemilianus, scoring at Windsor on December 11, 1963 and following up over course and distance on January 3, 1964.
He enjoyed his best season in 1964/65 with six wins, all trained by Alec Kerr. They comprised back-to-back wins on hurdler Top Risk at Stratford on September 10, 1964 and at Fontwell five days later. It wasn’t until April 13, 1965 that he gained his next success, aboard hurdler Italian Flame at Fontwell. He then scored twice over fences on Set Tradition, landing the ‘Kybo’ Cup Handicap Chase at Plumpton on May 20 and following up at Wye four days later. He rounded off the season with victory on Nursery End at Fontwell on Whit Monday.
He enjoyed his best season in 1964/65 with six wins, all trained by Alec Kerr. They comprised back-to-back wins on hurdler Top Risk at Stratford on September 10, 1964 and at Fontwell five days later. It wasn’t until April 13, 1965 that he gained his next success, aboard hurdler Italian Flame at Fontwell. He then scored twice over fences on Set Tradition, landing the ‘Kybo’ Cup Handicap Chase at Plumpton on May 20 and following up at Wye four days later. He rounded off the season with victory on Nursery End at Fontwell on Whit Monday.
Tony registered just once win in each of the next three seasons, the first two of them on Nursery End, at Fontwell on September 6, 1965 and at Stratford on February 18, 1967.
Tony registered just once win in each of the next three seasons, the first two of them on Nursery End, at Fontwell on September 6, 1965 and at Stratford on February 18, 1967.
He rode what proved to be his last winner on Alec Kerr’s grey novice hurdler St Gregory at Folkestone on March 25, 1968.
He rode what proved to be his last winner on Alec Kerr’s grey novice hurdler St Gregory at Folkestone on March 25, 1968.
He retired at the end of that year, having ridden a total of 29 winners, 27 over jumps and two on the Flat.
He retired at the end of that year, having ridden a total of 29 winners, 27 over jumps and two on the Flat.