Denis Coakley – Racehorse Trainer

Denis started training from Keeper’s Stables in 1999, renting the yard from Lady Huntingdon following Lord Huntingdon’s retirement that year. Drawing on all his experiences, Denis’ hobby remains his livelihood, extracting every horse’s individual potential. Amongst his best horses to date have been :

• Hors de Combat WINNER and 3rd at the 2018 Dubai Carnival.
• Hors de Combat 2nd & 3rd in the Dubai 2017 Carnival, our first ever runner in Dubai.
• Miss Marjurie 2015 season : a winner of a Listed race at Goodwood 2^nd May; winner of a Group 3 at Haydock on 30^th May; 3rd in the Lancashire Oaks a Haydock on 4th July and 5th in the Yorkshire Oaks at York on 20th August, beaten less than 2 lengths, 2016 3rd at Haydock in the Pinnacle Group 3 and 3rd again at Newmarket Listed.
• Gabriel’s Lad  winner of the valuable Victoria Cup (Heritage Handicap) at Ascot, 2014 and 2nd at Ascot again in October 2015 in the Totescoop Challenge Cup (Heritage Handicap)
• Steppe Dancer (owned by Chris Van Hoorn, who won at both Group and Listed level)
• Percy Jackson (owned by Count Calypso Racing) who finished 2nd in a Listed 2yo race in Cologne and later sold to Hong Kong.

Early days

Denis, from County Cork, was born into racing and rode on the Pony Racing circuit from an early age before progressing through the junior ranks of show jumping to point-to-pointing, riding his first winner at the age of 17. With a hunger to widen his experience, at the age of 20 Denis moved to an Australian stud farm. It was whilst in Australia that Denis first joined up with Lord Huntingdon at Warwick Farm, Sydney.

In the saddle

A year later and a return to the UK saw Denis take the job as Gordon Richards’ conditional jockey, soon losing his claim and becoming a fully fledged member of the professional ranks. With an urge to travel once again, Denis then moved to the States where he rode as stable jockey for 3 years to Janet Elliot, Champion Jumps trainer and spent time with Neil Drysdale, Champion Flat trainer.

West Ilsley

In 1988 Denis’ links with Lord Huntingdon came to the fore once again, when he was asked to return to the UK as Lord Huntingdon’s Assistant Trainer. Together they formed a formidable team, firstly in Newmarket and then in West Ilsley when Lord Huntingdon became the Queen’s trainer at West Ilsley Stables. During these years Denis proved to be an integral member of the team responsible for such horses as Indian Queen and Drum Taps.

Keeper’s Stables in West Ilsley – Facilities

West Ilsley is home to some of the country’s finest and most historic gallops. These gallops have provided the training grounds for such greats as Brigadier Gerard and Nashwan, amongst 3 Derby winners, 3 Ascot Gold Cup winners and numerous other Group winners.

Nestled in one corner of this picturesque Ridgeway village lays the tranquil Keeper’s Stables. Currently standing at 25 boxes, each horse is guaranteed 5 star individual treatment. Using only the best bedding and feed, combined with regular turn out sessions ensures the horses are kept sound in mind as well as limb.

Keeper’s Stables has access to a goldmine of gallops, from the 6 furlong all-weather to a plethora of grass gallops, ranging from 5 furlongs to 1 ½ miles; every horse can be trained just as he or she needs.

Keeper’s Stables are also fully supported by a high class team of very experienced and loyal staff; by leading equine vet, Jamie O’Gorman (formerly of Donnington Grove Veterinary Group and O’Gorman, Slater and Main) and by leading farrier Alf Hall. In short – no stone is left unturned.