George Allden

Article by Alan Trout

The son of a successful bookmaker and owner, George Enoch Allden rode for four years on the Flat prior to the outbreak of World War One and had eight wins.

Like his younger brother Percy (1900-1978), George was apprenticed to trainer Thomas Schofield at the start of his career, but whereas Percy moved to Fred Pratt at Letcombe Regis, George joined forces with the less successful Arthur Pratt. 

George had his first ride at Sandown Park on April 21, 1911 when Melton Yank finished unplaced in the Prince Albert Handicap. He had to wait until nearly the end of 1912 for his first success. This came at Liverpool on November 5 when MacChanter won the Wavertree Selling Plate by three-quarters of a length from Dodger, the mount of Steve Donoghue. To add to the pleasure, MacChanter was owned by George’s father, Mr W. H. Allden, who must have been delighted when young George and MacChanter triumphed again at Lingfield Park 16 days later. 

Mr Allden also owned the three horses that won six races for the Allden brothers during 1913, Percy scoring three times on Medley, and Geoge twice on MacChanter and once on Melton Yank. 

Arthur Pratt trained all three of Geoge’s winners in 1914, the last coming at Worcester on July 2, when the reliable MacChanter took the Coventry Handicap. It was that same horse who supplied George with his final ride when finishing seventh of 13 in the City Welter Handicap, again, at Worcester, on October 30, the race being won by Richard Crisp on Golden Joe. 

George Allden’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. MacChanter, Liverpool, November 6, 1912

2. MacChanter, Lingfield Park, November 22, 1912

3. Melton Tank, Lingfield Park, May 17, 1913

4. MacChanter, Windsor, August 16, 1913

5. MacChanter, Alexandra Park, September 13, 1913

6. Money Beg, Haydock Park, May 16, 1914

7. Melton Yank, Manchester, June 5, 1914

8. MacChanter, Worcester, July 2, 1914