Denis Letherby
1947 - 2007
1947 - 2007
The son of a Tonypandy steel erector, Denis Letherby was born on July 23 1947. He served his apprenticeship with Willie Stephenson and rode his first winner on Midas Touch at Chepstow on August 3, 1964.
The son of a Tonypandy steel erector, Denis Letherby was born on July 23 1947. He served his apprenticeship with Willie Stephenson and rode his first winner on Midas Touch at Chepstow on August 3, 1964.
In 1966, his 46 wins took him into second place behind Sandy Barclay in the apprentices' table. The year before, he had ridden Caterina to finish runner-up in the Nunthorpe Stakes.
In 1966, his 46 wins took him into second place behind Sandy Barclay in the apprentices' table. The year before, he had ridden Caterina to finish runner-up in the Nunthorpe Stakes.
Denis's biggest success in England came on Barwin in the 1965 Totalisator Handicap. However, the best horse he ever rode was the top sprinter Forlorn River on whom he won a six-furlong Redcar handicap in 1967.
Denis's biggest success in England came on Barwin in the 1965 Totalisator Handicap. However, the best horse he ever rode was the top sprinter Forlorn River on whom he won a six-furlong Redcar handicap in 1967.
Based at Malton for much of his career, he rode for Peter Easterby and Pat Rohan. He also had a spell riding in Ireland with Paddy Prendergast Junior, for whom he had a big race victory in the 1976 Anglesey Stakes on Readjust.
Based at Malton for much of his career, he rode for Peter Easterby and Pat Rohan. He also had a spell riding in Ireland with Paddy Prendergast Junior, for whom he had a big race victory in the 1976 Anglesey Stakes on Readjust.
From 1975, he rode regularly and successfully in Kenya before breaking his neck there in January,1985, in a career ending fall. Aged 37, he was paralysed from the neck down. Denis sustained the injury while riding work and was taken to the intensive care unit of a Nairobi hospital. He endured a four-hour operation after which movement began to return to his arms and legs.
From 1975, he rode regularly and successfully in Kenya before breaking his neck there in January,1985, in a career ending fall. Aged 37, he was paralysed from the neck down. Denis sustained the injury while riding work and was taken to the intensive care unit of a Nairobi hospital. He endured a four-hour operation after which movement began to return to his arms and legs.
Denis rode a total of 168 winners in Britain. He went on to ride in Africa in 1975, but returned to England to ride two more winners during the 1982 season. Although he held a licence to ride in England in 1983, he decided to go back to Kenya.
Denis rode a total of 168 winners in Britain. He went on to ride in Africa in 1975, but returned to England to ride two more winners during the 1982 season. Although he held a licence to ride in England in 1983, he decided to go back to Kenya.
Denis, renowned for his cheerful, happy-go-lucky attitude, spent his last few years back in Malton where, in the middle of June, 2007, he died after a gallant battle against cancer.
Denis, renowned for his cheerful, happy-go-lucky attitude, spent his last few years back in Malton where, in the middle of June, 2007, he died after a gallant battle against cancer.
He was cremated after a funeral service at St Mary's Church, Malton, on Thursday, 21 June
He was cremated after a funeral service at St Mary's Church, Malton, on Thursday, 21 June