Denis Leahy is the final key ingredient in getting the horses we keep to race to reach the racecourse, for Denis breaks and pre-trains the horses we put into training (including regular schooling over obstacles). Whilst Denis’s principal role is to educate horses, an important additional responsibility is to educate their owners, particularly if it is necessary to advise them to retire unbeaten any that are not up to the mark.
If Denis says ‘she’s not showing me a lot’ it’s time to start worrying; if he says ‘she could be pretty good’ then start worrying that she stays that way; if he says ‘she could be very good’ then start worrying who should train her to keep her that way.
Denis was a former jockey who rode all over the UK, having many mounts when based in Lambourn. His principal regret is that he retired without riding one of Jamie Snowden’s.