Jon Dennis, Head Lad
Jon began his racing career at the age of thirteen when he worked weekends and holidays at Richard Holders where the first good horse he sat was Ikdam
At sixteen, he entered full time employment with Reg Hollinshead as an apprentice for five years before spending a year in Newmarket with David Morally. His first spell under MRC then began during the Lambourn days at Kingsdown.
He then left for a spell with Gary Moore in Epsom and Geoff Levies. Upon relinquishing his apprentice licence, he started as an Assistant with Angus McNae.
Jon then spent a further three years with Gerard Butler as traveling head lad before returning to Mick, who had by then made the switch to West Ilsley, in November 2002.
FULL NAME: Jonathan Dennis
JOB TITLE: Head Lad
WHEN DID YOU ARRIVE AT WEST ILSLEY?: Nov 2002
FAVOURITE HORSES AT WEST ILSLEY?: Fraamington
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN?: Not to work in racing - I didn't listen
FAVOURITE RACECOURSE?: Alexander Palace
LEAST FAVOURITE RACECOURSE?: Any course in France
WHICH RACE WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO WIN?: Any race in France
WHO WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO MEET?: Jessica Rabbit - she a fox
FAVOURITE SPORTS?: Bird Watching
LEAST FAVOURITE SPORTS?: Anything competitive
FAVOURITE FILM?: Watch anything with guns, fast cars and shagging i like bamboo as well
FAVOURITE BOOK?: Anything with pictures
FAVOURITE TV PROGRAMME?: The test card
WHAT/WHO REALLY ANNOYS YOU?: Love to say, but could lose my job
GIVE US A TWO YEAR OLD FOR 2013: Isabella Bird
WHAT IS THE BEST DAY OF YOUR RACING LIFE An overnight with Andy Larkin at the ayr gold cup meeting was a eye opener - 1995
WHAT IS THE BEST BET YOU’VE EVER HAD?: Betted some kid at school i would beat him in the sack race
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR SPECIALIST SUBJECT ON MASTERMIND?: The state of the economy of lithuania
FAVOURITE NIGHT OUT?: Ayr
FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION?: Ayr
BEST/WORST SUBJECTS AT SCHOOL?:Best biology, worst everything else
WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT?: The thought of getting up early
WHAT IS THE FUNNIEST THING THAT YOU’VE SEEN IN RACING?: Charlie Bishop dropping his reigns
FAVOURITE MRC MOMENT?: Watching him river dancing on his hat
