David Sanders

David Sanders

Article by Alan Trout

David Sanders was based with trainer Matt Feakes, who provided him with all of his 19 winners over jumps during a career that lasted for over a decade.

It was at Sandown Park on November 26, 1948, that he had his first ride when Simon De Montfort, also making his debut under National Hunt rules, was unplaced in the Toll House Juvenile Hurdle Juvenile Hurdle (Division 2). 

The same horse gave him his first win when successful at the same course on December 16, 1949. Owned and trained by Matt Feakes, the four-year-old withstood the challenge of Vic Speck on Wintersmoon to score by a length. They followed up at Plumpton on January 2, 1950, before returning to Sandown later that month to win for third time in a row, taking the Cardinal Handicap Hurdle, with top jockeys Aubrey Brabazon, Bryan Marshall and Jack Dowdeswell occupying the next three places. 

David had just one win the following season but then recorded five in each of the next two, including a double at Towcester on June 2, 1952. His only ride in a big race was when unplaced on Deuces Wild in the 1952 Imperial Cup at Sandown. 

He relinquished his licence for a time but came back to ride five more winners on chaser French Brave. His last success was at Towcester on May 24, 1958, when French Brave beat Amber Wave, the mount of Michael Scudamore, to land the Hanslope Handicap Chase by eight lengths. 

David rode French Brave in all six of his starts over the next two seasons but the best they managed was one fourth place. He had his final ride at Wye on March 6, 1961, when Gold Spinner finished tenth of 13 runners in the Canterbury Handicap Hurdle (Division 2). 

David Sanders’ winners were, in chronological order.

1. Simon De Montfort, Sandown Park, December 16, 1949

2. Simon De Montfort, Plumpton, January 2, 1950

3. Simon De Montfort, Sandown Park, January 21, 1950

4. Sitacles, Fontwell Park, November 1, 1950

5. Chateau Pavie, Newbury, December 28, 1951

6. Bronze Boy, Windsor, January 4, 1952

7. Invidious, Towcester, May 10, 1952

8. Joe The Marine, Towcester, June 2, 1952

9. Battle Artist, Towcester, June 2, 1952

10, Joe The Marine, Wincanton, September 18, 1952

11. Joe The Marine, Towcester, October 25, 1952

12. Invidious, Wincanton, November 20, 1952

13. Invidious, Wincanton, December 18, 1952

14. Invidious, Hurst Park, March 7, 1953

15. French Brave, Taunton, May 2, 1957

16. French Brave, Towcester, June 10, 1957

17. French Brave, Towcester, October 19, 1957

18. French Brave, Sandown Park, December 11, 1957

19. French Brave, Towcester, May 24, 1958