Dennis Sykes
Flat jockey Dennis Sykes was apprenticed to Jack Leader. He later joined the army and rode 16 winners (12 on the Flat, four over fences) while serving in Germany.
Flat jockey Dennis Sykes was apprenticed to Jack Leader. He later joined the army and rode 16 winners (12 on the Flat, four over fences) while serving in Germany.
He rode in Britain as a freelance in 1961 and 1962 but failed to ride a winner. Disillusioned, he left racing and worked for several years in his father’s car factory in Doncaster.
He rode in Britain as a freelance in 1961 and 1962 but failed to ride a winner. Disillusioned, he left racing and worked for several years in his father’s car factory in Doncaster.
He eventually returned to racing and rejoined Jack Leader, based in Newmarket, as a work rider. He renewed his jockey’s licence in 1969 and had the occasional mount in public.
He eventually returned to racing and rejoined Jack Leader, based in Newmarket, as a work rider. He renewed his jockey’s licence in 1969 and had the occasional mount in public.
He rode his first British winner on Tinetta, trained by Leader, in the Benges Two-Year-Old Selling Stakes at Goodwood on May 22, 1969. He actually finished second but got the race in the stewards’ room when the Paul Tulk-ridden winner was disqualified for crossing. Sadly, that early success was not a harbinger of better times to come. He had only one more ride all year.
He rode his first British winner on Tinetta, trained by Leader, in the Benges Two-Year-Old Selling Stakes at Goodwood on May 22, 1969. He actually finished second but got the race in the stewards’ room when the Paul Tulk-ridden winner was disqualified for crossing. Sadly, that early success was not a harbinger of better times to come. He had only one more ride all year.
Dennis then joined Gavin Pritchard-Gordon and continued to have a few rides over the course of the next four seasons, making just one more visit to the winner’s enclosure, on 14-1 chance Broker’s Folly, trained by Pritchard-Gordon, in the Wray Maiden Stakes for two-year-old fillies, at Lingfield on May 13, 1972.
Dennis then joined Gavin Pritchard-Gordon and continued to have a few rides over the course of the next four seasons, making just one more visit to the winner’s enclosure, on 14-1 chance Broker’s Folly, trained by Pritchard-Gordon, in the Wray Maiden Stakes for two-year-old fillies, at Lingfield on May 13, 1972.
He had a total of 15 rides that year but few thereafter. His last season with a licence was in 1974.
He had a total of 15 rides that year but few thereafter. His last season with a licence was in 1974.