Fergus Sweeney
Flat jockey Dennis Fergus Sweeney was born in Northern Ireland on April 7, 1978. He moved to England as a 16-year-old and had his first ride in Britain in 1994, gaining his first winners the following year. His most prolific campaign was in 2009 when he partnered 64 domestic winners.
Flat jockey Dennis Fergus Sweeney was born in Northern Ireland on April 7, 1978. He moved to England as a 16-year-old and had his first ride in Britain in 1994, gaining his first winners the following year. His most prolific campaign was in 2009 when he partnered 64 domestic winners.
He spent time as retained rider for trainer Martyn Meade for whom he rode Irish Rookie to a Listed success as a juvenile in 2014, before finishing sixth on her in the 2015 1,000 Guineas and second in its French equivalent, the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, the following week.
He spent time as retained rider for trainer Martyn Meade for whom he rode Irish Rookie to a Listed success as a juvenile in 2014, before finishing sixth on her in the 2015 1,000 Guineas and second in its French equivalent, the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, the following week.
He also formed an alliance with Henry Candy, riding his sole Group 1 winner for the trainer on Twilight Son in the 2015 Haydock Sprint Cup. In addition, he won two Group 3s for Candy on Music Master in the 2014 Hackwood Stakes and Chain Of Daisies in the 2016 Winter Hill Stakes.
He also formed an alliance with Henry Candy, riding his sole Group 1 winner for the trainer on Twilight Son in the 2015 Haydock Sprint Cup. In addition, he won two Group 3s for Candy on Music Master in the 2014 Hackwood Stakes and Chain Of Daisies in the 2016 Winter Hill Stakes.
Fergus adopted the ‘have saddle, will travel’ approach during the latter part of his career. He rode abroad for the majority of 2018, during which he celebrated Oaks and Derby success during a near four-month spell in India as well as spending time in Korea, Singapore and Mauritius.
Fergus adopted the ‘have saddle, will travel’ approach during the latter part of his career. He rode abroad for the majority of 2018, during which he celebrated Oaks and Derby success during a near four-month spell in India as well as spending time in Korea, Singapore and Mauritius.
He struggled for winners when returning to Britain in 2019, leading the 41-year-old to announced his intention to retire from riding in November. However, after winning an all-weather handicap at Kempton on the Jimmy Fox-trained Purple Paddy on October 23, 2019, he called time on his career with immediate effect, having gone out on a winner.
He struggled for winners when returning to Britain in 2019, leading the 41-year-old to announced his intention to retire from riding in November. However, after winning an all-weather handicap at Kempton on the Jimmy Fox-trained Purple Paddy on October 23, 2019, he called time on his career with immediate effect, having gone out on a winner.
He wasted no time finding a new role, joining former weighing-room colleagues Steve Drowne and Chris Rutter as part of the BHA’s stewarding team.
He wasted no time finding a new role, joining former weighing-room colleagues Steve Drowne and Chris Rutter as part of the BHA’s stewarding team.