Sandy Dudgeon

Sandy Dudgeon

Alexander Dudgeon, popularly known as Sandy, was born in West Lothian, Scotland on 16 October 1957. He was a leading amateur jockey, winning 60 races in point-to-points and under National Hunt rules, including the 1984 Liverpool Foxhunters’ Chase and the 1987 Eider Chase.

His first really good horse was Gayle Warning, owned and trained by his father John Dudgeon at Kirkliston, West Lothian. Sandy won a total of nine hunter chases on him, including five out of six in 1984, the highlight being the Haig-sponsored Foxhunters’ Chase over Aintree’s Grand National fences.

He also rode Gayle Warning in the 1986 Grand National, completing the course last of the 17 finishers.

The best horse he rode was Peaty Sandy, owned and trained by Helen Hamilton. Sandy took over from Geordie Dun as the horse’s regular rider and won eight handicap chases on him, culminating in Newcastle’s Tote-sponsored Eider Chase in 1987, beating Dark Ivy by three lengths.

Peaty Sandy was a standing dish at Newcastle during the 1980s, his Eider Chase victory being his tenth at the course.

A chartered accountant by profession, Sandy joined Adam & Company as its first company secretary in 1983 and became deputy managing director in 1991. He subsequently became managing director of Thornhill in 2003. He joined Cazenove Capital following its acquisition of Thornhill in January 2010 and was head of business development for the private wealth management business until becoming managing director of Cazenove Capital Management Asia Ltd in 2013. In July 2013, Cazenove Capital Management became part of Schroders Group.

Sandy was elected as a member of the Jockey Club in 1989. He was appointed to the Jockey Club’s Board of Stewards in December 2017, having previously been a steward for four years from 2009 to 2012. He became the Jockey Club’s Senior Steward for a five-year term in July 2019, succeeding Roger Weatherby.

He has a number of memberships and other connections including High Constables and Guard of Honour of Holyroodhouse, Saints & Sinners Club of Scotland, and the Royal Scottish Piping Society. He has horse in training both on the Flat and over jumps. His other interests include farming, golf, shooting, squash, bridge, racing, hiking and piping.

Sandy Dudgeon’s nine wins on Gayle Warning were, in chronological order:

1. Buccleuch Hunters’ Chase, Kelso, 3 April 1980

2. Buccleuch Hunters’ Chase, Kelso, 6 April 1981

3. Adam Scott Memorial Hunters’ Chase, Hexham, 29 May 1982

4. Adamhill Cup Hunters’ Chase, Ayr, 15 April 1983

5. Cessford Hunters’ Chase, Kelso, 28 February 1984

6. Hugh Barclay Memorial Cup, Ayr, 10 March 1984

7. Haig Foxhunters’ Chase, Liverpool, 29 March 1984

8. Adamhill Cup Hunters’ Chase, Ayr, 14 April 1984

9. Perth Hunt Balnakeilly Challenge Cup Hunters’ Chase, Perth, 19 April 1984

Sandy Dudgeon’s eight wins on Peaty Sandy were, in chronological order:

1. King’s Own Borderers Cup Handicap Chase, Kelso, 20 March 1985

2. Timeform Chasers & Hurdlers Handicap Chase, Ayr, 12 October 1985

3. Wm. A. Swales Handicap Chase, Newcastle, 16 November 1985

4. Pintail Handicap Chase, Newcastle, 11 January 1986

5. Mercedes Benz Handicap Chase, Newcastle, 15 March 1986

6. Magpies Handicap Chase, Newcastle, 10 April 1986

7. Elk Handicap Chase, Ayr, 14 February 1987

8. Tote Eider Handicap Chase, Newcastle, 21 February 1987