Jockey, 28, retires after relentless weight battle

Phil Dennis has revealed a relentless struggle with his weight has forced him to retire at the age of 28.

The rider of 272 winners made his final appearance at Beverley on Tuesday, signing off with a fourth place on favourite Park Street.

Dennis, who started his career as a teenager, said he found the requirements of his career a challenge in recent seasons. Tall for a Flat jockey at 5ft 11in, the sportsman reached his lowest weight of 8st 13lb in the last year and partnered 12 winners.

But the tally was some way below the 47 achieved in his career best season of 2019 and Dennis told Racing TV: “It just comes to a time when you think ‘well that’s enough.” I know I have left nothing out there, it has been a good journey.”

He confirmed hat he was competing a “lot lighter” than his natural weight, which he hadn’t been for some time. “It’s a relentless game, all year round. I have enjoyed it and you can only do it for so long,'” he added.

Before his last ride, Dennis was clapped into the parade ring, as jockeys competing at the Yorkshire circuit formed a guard of honour.

One of his best horses, sprinter Ornate, gave Dennis eight successes, while he bagged a 2,948-1 four-timer at Newcastle during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I don’t think it has really sunk in yet,” Dennis said at the time, via a Gazette and Herald report. “It’s hard enough to get one winner at the best of times, never mind four at a single meeting.”

Jockeys including Amo Racing’s number one David Egan and Callum Shepherd wished Dennis well, after he announced his decision on X.

“The hardest thing I’ve had to do… Beverley will be my last day race-riding,” he wrote.

“I can’t thank the trainers and owners who have supported me enough throughout my whole time in the saddle and the lads in the weighing room that I’ve sat next to day in, day out. To ride nearly 300 winners is more than I ever expected as a 17-year-old starting off.

“But as one door closes another one opens, so this will be a time to start a new chapter.”