Dennis Sherwood
Dennis Sherwood
Dennis Sherwood
London-born Dennis Victor Sherwood was born in 1946. He was apprenticed to Peter Dawson but, after a couple of rides on the Flat, grew too heavy and turned to the National Hunt sphere, going on to notch five winners in the 1966/67 season. They were the only ones he rode in Britain.
London-born Dennis Victor Sherwood was born in 1946. He was apprenticed to Peter Dawson but, after a couple of rides on the Flat, grew too heavy and turned to the National Hunt sphere, going on to notch five winners in the 1966/67 season. They were the only ones he rode in Britain.
He had his first ride at Market Rasen on September 24, 1966, when Metrapod faded after early prominence to finish a well beaten sixth in the Hambleton Juvenile Hurdle (Division 2). Just 16 days later, on only his fourth ride over timber, he rode his first winner on Golden Vagabond, trained by Peter Dawson, in the Steyning Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton, coming with a strong run from the final flight to defeat two champion jockeys in Terry Biddlecombe, who came second on Leafield, beaten two and a half lengths, and Josh Gifford, third on Silk Cut.
He had his first ride at Market Rasen on September 24, 1966, when Metrapod faded after early prominence to finish a well beaten sixth in the Hambleton Juvenile Hurdle (Division 2). Just 16 days later, on only his fourth ride over timber, he rode his first winner on Golden Vagabond, trained by Peter Dawson, in the Steyning Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton, coming with a strong run from the final flight to defeat two champion jockeys in Terry Biddlecombe, who came second on Leafield, beaten two and a half lengths, and Josh Gifford, third on Silk Cut.
Twenty-year-old Dennis scored his second victory from just six rides on Crazy Print in the Hedge Hoppers Three-Year-Old Hurdle (Division 1) at Newbury twelve days later, October 22, leading for most of the way to win buy a length and a half.
Twenty-year-old Dennis scored his second victory from just six rides on Crazy Print in the Hedge Hoppers Three-Year-Old Hurdle (Division 1) at Newbury twelve days later, October 22, leading for most of the way to win buy a length and a half.
King Of Greece, making his debut over jumps, was victory number three when winning the Brighton Juvenile Hurdle (Division 1) at Fontwell Park on November 23, comfortably beating Mary Barr by two lengths.
King Of Greece, making his debut over jumps, was victory number three when winning the Brighton Juvenile Hurdle (Division 1) at Fontwell Park on November 23, comfortably beating Mary Barr by two lengths.
Implicate, trained by John Sutcliffe, was Dennis’s next winner, taking the Marsh Green Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield Park on December 3 by two lengths from Paul Kelleway’s mount Don Fox.
Implicate, trained by John Sutcliffe, was Dennis’s next winner, taking the Marsh Green Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield Park on December 3 by two lengths from Paul Kelleway’s mount Don Fox.
His final win when Floral Tribute took the Hayling Novices’ Hurdle at Fontwell Park on May 29, 1967. Floral Tribute had been considered good enough to run against such top hurdlers as Saucy Kit, Kirriemuir and Makaldar in his previous start at Kempton Park’s Christmas meeting. Now, in less exalted company, they beat Coturry, partnered by Tim Norman, by three-quarters of a length.
His final win when Floral Tribute took the Hayling Novices’ Hurdle at Fontwell Park on May 29, 1967. Floral Tribute had been considered good enough to run against such top hurdlers as Saucy Kit, Kirriemuir and Makaldar in his previous start at Kempton Park’s Christmas meeting. Now, in less exalted company, they beat Coturry, partnered by Tim Norman, by three-quarters of a length.
He finished that season with five wins, five seconds and four thirds from 37 mounts. All bar one of those wins, Implicate, were trained by Peter Dawson.
He finished that season with five wins, five seconds and four thirds from 37 mounts. All bar one of those wins, Implicate, were trained by Peter Dawson.
Dennis finished third on his last ride, on Psidallah in the Vauxhall Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) at Kempton Park on November 21, 1968. He then moved his tack to Germany in 1969 and achieved great success riding over jumps there for several years.
Dennis finished third on his last ride, on Psidallah in the Vauxhall Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) at Kempton Park on November 21, 1968. He then moved his tack to Germany in 1969 and achieved great success riding over jumps there for several years.
However, his career was ended in August 1979 by a fall from Ornatus in the Preis der Rhon at Gelsenkirchen-Horst, in which he suffered severe concussion, broken ribs and internal injuries.
However, his career was ended in August 1979 by a fall from Ornatus in the Preis der Rhon at Gelsenkirchen-Horst, in which he suffered severe concussion, broken ribs and internal injuries.
Dennis Sherwood’s British winners were, in chronological order:
Dennis Sherwood’s British winners were, in chronological order:
1. Golden Vagabond, Plumpton, October 10, 1966.
1. Golden Vagabond, Plumpton, October 10, 1966.
2. Crazy Print, Newbury, October 22, 1966
2. Crazy Print, Newbury, October 22, 1966
3. King Of Greece, Fontwell Park, November 23, 1966
3. King Of Greece, Fontwell Park, November 23, 1966
4. Implicate, Lingfield Park, December 3, 1966
4. Implicate, Lingfield Park, December 3, 1966
5. Floral Tribute, Fontwell Park, May 29, 1967
5. Floral Tribute, Fontwell Park, May 29, 1967