Dennis Walker
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
When diminutive Dennis Walker jumped down from Chief Barker’s back on November 16, 1957, he became the fourth successive apprentice to have triumphed in the season’s last big race, the Manchester November Handicap. However, unlike his three predecessors, Denis Ward, Walter Bentley and Josh Gifford, it did not prove a launching pad for a long and successful career as a jockey.
When diminutive Dennis Walker jumped down from Chief Barker’s back on November 16, 1957, he became the fourth successive apprentice to have triumphed in the season’s last big race, the Manchester November Handicap. However, unlike his three predecessors, Denis Ward, Walter Bentley and Josh Gifford, it did not prove a launching pad for a long and successful career as a jockey.
Few people had even heard of Dennis Walker before his November Handicap success, which was hardly surprising as he had only one previous winner to his name. Furthermore, the 18-year-old must have been among the smallest apprentices in the country; he stood just 4ft 2ins high and weighed only 4st 9lb. No wonder he had to be lifted up to unsaddle his big race winner.
Few people had even heard of Dennis Walker before his November Handicap success, which was hardly surprising as he had only one previous winner to his name. Furthermore, the 18-year-old must have been among the smallest apprentices in the country; he stood just 4ft 2ins high and weighed only 4st 9lb. No wonder he had to be lifted up to unsaddle his big race winner.
Born in Crewe in 1939, Dennis William Walker rode his first winner on the Eric Cousins-trained Hunter’s Barge in an apprentices’ selling handicap at Edinburgh on July 10, 1957. However, it was for Findon maestro Ryan Price that he achieved his greatest success in the saddle aboard Nat Cohen’s four-year-old Chief Barker, a 33/1 shot in a 40-runner field for the Manchester November Handicap. Allocated 6st 12lb by the handicapper, Dennis’s 7lb claim meant that the horse had only 6st 5lb to carry.
Born in Crewe in 1939, Dennis William Walker rode his first winner on the Eric Cousins-trained Hunter’s Barge in an apprentices’ selling handicap at Edinburgh on July 10, 1957. However, it was for Findon maestro Ryan Price that he achieved his greatest success in the saddle aboard Nat Cohen’s four-year-old Chief Barker, a 33/1 shot in a 40-runner field for the Manchester November Handicap. Allocated 6st 12lb by the handicapper, Dennis’s 7lb claim meant that the horse had only 6st 5lb to carry.
Formerly known as Polar Lodge – owners were allowed to change horses’ names at any time during their career in those days – Chief Barker took the lead two furlongs from home but was headed inside the final furlong by Peter Robinson on Spaceman, who then ducked over and pushed Chief Barker into the rails. Most inexperienced youngsters would have lost their nerve in such a situation but young Dennis remained unruffled, pushing his mount through to regain the lead close home and win by a short head. He came in for considerable praise for his coolness and big race temperament.
Formerly known as Polar Lodge – owners were allowed to change horses’ names at any time during their career in those days – Chief Barker took the lead two furlongs from home but was headed inside the final furlong by Peter Robinson on Spaceman, who then ducked over and pushed Chief Barker into the rails. Most inexperienced youngsters would have lost their nerve in such a situation but young Dennis remained unruffled, pushing his mount through to regain the lead close home and win by a short head. He came in for considerable praise for his coolness and big race temperament.
It should perhaps have led to bigger and better things, yet it was left to selling plater Royal Course to
It should perhaps have led to bigger and better things, yet it was left to selling plater Royal Course to
provide Dennis with both of his wins in 1958, scoring twice within five days at Hamilton and Catterick. He didn’t ride a winner during the whole of 1959 but was back in the groove at Lanark on the last day of April 1960, scoring on Ernie Carr’s Make Believe, who carried just 6st 9lb. Make Believe won for him again at Ayr in June (right), this time hauling a comparative welter burden of 7st 10lb to a three lengths victory.
provide Dennis with both of his wins in 1958, scoring twice within five days at Hamilton and Catterick. He didn’t ride a winner during the whole of 1959 but was back in the groove at Lanark on the last day of April 1960, scoring on Ernie Carr’s Make Believe, who carried just 6st 9lb. Make Believe won for him again at Ayr in June (right), this time hauling a comparative welter burden of 7st 10lb to a three lengths victory.
That proved to be the last winner of Dennis Walker’s career. He came very close to riding another when beaten a short head on Laird Of Lochinvar by Frankie Durr’s mount Tim at Edinburgh on July 3, 1961, but that was as near as he got to a seventh success. He came out of his time in 1962 and rode as a fully-fledged jockey in both 1963 and 1964 but failed to trouble the judge in either year.
That proved to be the last winner of Dennis Walker’s career. He came very close to riding another when beaten a short head on Laird Of Lochinvar by Frankie Durr’s mount Tim at Edinburgh on July 3, 1961, but that was as near as he got to a seventh success. He came out of his time in 1962 and rode as a fully-fledged jockey in both 1963 and 1964 but failed to trouble the judge in either year.
Denis Ward, Walter Bentley and Josh Gifford all went on to better things, most notably the latter who was both a champion National Hunt jockey and a Grand National-winning trainer. But Dennis Walker is remembered purely for his one day in the sun, the day he rode Chief Barker to win the Manchester November Handicap.
Denis Ward, Walter Bentley and Josh Gifford all went on to better things, most notably the latter who was both a champion National Hunt jockey and a Grand National-winning trainer. But Dennis Walker is remembered purely for his one day in the sun, the day he rode Chief Barker to win the Manchester November Handicap.
Dennis Walker’s winners were, in chronological order:
Dennis Walker’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Hunter’s Barge, Edinburgh, July 10, 1957
1. Hunter’s Barge, Edinburgh, July 10, 1957
2. Chief Barker, Manchester, November 16, 1957
2. Chief Barker, Manchester, November 16, 1957
3. Royal Course, Hamilton Park, September 29, 1958
3. Royal Course, Hamilton Park, September 29, 1958
4. Royal Course, Catterick Bridge, October 4, 1958
4. Royal Course, Catterick Bridge, October 4, 1958
5. Make Believe, Lanark, April 30, 1960
5. Make Believe, Lanark, April 30, 1960
6. Make Believe, Ayr, June 11, 1960
6. Make Believe, Ayr, June 11, 1960