- Monday, 05 August 2024 15:14
- Written by David Pipe
Dennis with us in 2018
We have completed the first week of the jumping mini break and so are one third of the way through. We ended up just having one runner on the flat last week with Oceanline running at Goodwood on Friday. He ran well for a long way from the front in the staying handicap but faded inside the final few furlongs. He may not have quite stayed the trip but it was a tough race and he can be winning eased in grade very slightly.
Rebel Angel did not run at Leicester in the end but will be entered back at the track this coming Sunday in a similar race. Heure De Gloire did not travel to France either this time but the plan is to still head back across the channel again soon. We watched her intended race at Senonnes Pouance on Saturday and the track looked a nice galloping course and we would be certainly be interested in going back there if there are suitable races. There is a possible race for Heure De Gloire at Chateaubriant in the middle of August so we will make an entry when the time is right and go from there.
There are no runners for the stable this week but we do have entries on the flat at the weekend. As already mentioned, Rebel Angel is entered at Leicester, while Kintaro and Final Entry have entries at Lingfield on Saturday.
Dennis Dummett
Last week we sadly lost a dear friend, Dennis Dummet who passed away at the age of 87. Dennis was a former headman for Dad and then became a farm manager to Pond House, overseeing the general running of things when Dennis retired from that role. He first started work in 1971 and was still helping until quite recently when his health declined. He was a very important person in work but he became much more than that, a dear family friend over the years. He was extremely knowledgeable about the horses and very good in charge of a team of staff. He was quite strict but got the best out of the team, horses and people and the hard work behind the scenes paid off on the track with dad having so many winners and lots of success.
There are so many stories I could tell but one in particular sticks in my mind. Back in my younger days, I had been point to pointing one day and probably had a drink or two too many! When I got home, I went for a little nap. I awoke in a panic, thinking I was late for work so quickly got dressed and started to feed the horses. I hadn’t got very far when the window of the house by the main yard opened and Dennis shouted out to me ‘What are you doing?’ To which I replied ‘Feeding up’. He shouted, with a few expletives I might add, its 7 o’clock in the evening not the morning! I did feel rather silly and have never done that again!
I learnt a lot from Dennis over the years and was someone I went to for advice about horses and anything to do with the country way of life really. He looked after many of our horses over the years for holidays, while some needed time out through injury and several retired horses. He had Grand National winner Miiniehoma until he passed away and still has Cyfor Malta and Dynaste and others who he adored looking after with partner, Norma.
Dennis was a great character, worked extremely hard and would do anything for us. He had plenty of familiar sayings and great sense of humour. Pond House would not have probably reached the heights it did without him behind the scenes, so we all owe him a lot and we will cherish some wonderful memories.
Our thoughts are with Norma at this time and his children, Caroline, Paul & Julie and their family.
Jim Old Golf Day
On Monday, I am playing in the Jim Old Charity golf day, which has become tradition over the years. I cannot say how I may play, as I haven’t had the chance to be practicing much but I am hoping my teammates, which include former employees Ken Rixon and Tim Eades who can play quite well can carry us through! It will be nice to see some familiar faces on a great day that raises a lot of money for charity.
Johnny Foster Funeral
Last week, dad and I attended the funeral of Johnny Foster who passed away recently aged 90. Johnny was a good jockey and rode in three Grand Nationals in 1952, 1953 and 1954 but did not have much luck in the race! In 1952, he rode HAL'S VENTURE (45/1) who fell at the first. Nine others also came to grief at this point! In 1953, he rode the entire BAIRE (40/1) who fell at the fourth fence and the following year (66/1) he rode BAIRE again but the horse refused the big open ditch, the third fence, when in last but one position. He retired from race riding in 1968 on medical advice. He actually worked for my father in the 1990’s and he passed on his love of racing to his children, Martin and Dawn who followed in his footsteps and worked here at Pond House. Martin also becoming a jockey and doing well in the saddle.
Martha Makes a Winning Start
Martha had her first public appearance on pony Tandy at Anstey show on Sunday and it was a successful winning day! After a clear round and fourth place finish in the opening nursery stakes jumping, brother Jack took over the lead rein duties in the next class and they were extremely fast and won! While their gymkhana games needs a big more practice, she came home with biggest smile on her face, which is the main thing, and she is already asking if she can go again!
