David Telfer

David Telfer

Article by Alan Trout

David Telfer started out as a conditional jockey based with Wilf Storey. He rode for a decade under National Hunt rules for more than a decade, ending up with 13 wins. 

His first mount, Glen Due, was pulled up in the Fallowfield Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at Hexham on March 15, 1984. Later in the year he had his first success when Glendyke, trained by Wilf Storey, took the lead at halfway and easily won the Kinnoull Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Handicap Hurdle at Perth on September 27, finishing 20 lengths clear of Zulu Warrior. 

David never won more than three races in a season but did win two on the novice hurdler Restandbethankful and three on the chaser Ben Tirran, both trained by Mrs Susan Lamyman. 

He had his last victory at Sedgefield on February 17, 1993, when Ben Tirran landed the North East Racing Club Handicap Chase, beating On The Hooch by six lengths. David rode the gelding 14 more times over the next 15 months and was placed on five occasions without winning.

David Telfer’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Glendyke, Perth, September 27, 1984

2. Edweet, Hexham, May 25, 1985

3. Star’s Delight, Catterick Bridge, March 5, 1986

4. Duke Of Dollis, Sedgefield, April 7, 1987

5. Boschendal, Hexham, April 15, 1987

6. The Cider And Bun, Newcastle, May 16, 1987

7. Restandbethankful, Fakenham, April 4, 1988

8. Restandbethankful, Southwell, April 25, 1988

9. T W S Homes, Wetherby, May 30, 1988

10. Gaelic Lover, Southwell, November 15, 1988

11. Ben Tirran, Hexham, March 24, 1990

12. Ben Tirran, Hexham, May 23, 1992

13. Ben Tirran, Sedgefield, February 17, 1993