Alan Mactaggart
Amateur rider Alan Harry Mactaggart was born at Denholm, near Howick on May 17, 1939. He rode a total of 69 winners, including five on the Flat, but is probably best remembered as the partner of the popular Scottish-trained chaser Freddie, runner-up in two Grand Nationals. Alan won seven hunter chases on Freddie at the start of that horse’s career.
Amateur rider Alan Harry Mactaggart was born at Denholm, near Howick on May 17, 1939. He rode a total of 69 winners, including five on the Flat, but is probably best remembered as the partner of the popular Scottish-trained chaser Freddie, runner-up in two Grand Nationals. Alan won seven hunter chases on Freddie at the start of that horse’s career.
Alan’s first two winners were achieved at Carlisle on Easter Monday, April 15, 1963. He rode Darnick Tower to victory in the Border Counties Hunts’ Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Hurdle for Hawick trainer Harry Bell, then just over an hour later steered Freddie, owned and trained by Reg Tweedie, to an effortless success in the John McKie Hunters’ Chase. That was Freddie’s debut under National Hunt rules. Alan won three more hunter chases on him that season.
Alan’s first two winners were achieved at Carlisle on Easter Monday, April 15, 1963. He rode Darnick Tower to victory in the Border Counties Hunts’ Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Hurdle for Hawick trainer Harry Bell, then just over an hour later steered Freddie, owned and trained by Reg Tweedie, to an effortless success in the John McKie Hunters’ Chase. That was Freddie’s debut under National Hunt rules. Alan won three more hunter chases on him that season.
In their first start of the 1964 campaign, Alan and Freddie dead-heated with Major John Birtwistle’s mount Leyton Orient at Doncaster, then won the valuable Vaux National Hunters’ Chase at Catterick. They followed that with a six-length triumph in the Foxhunters’ Challenge Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday, March 7, little more than an hour before Arkle defeated Mill House for the first time in one of the greatest Cheltenham Gold Cups.
In their first start of the 1964 campaign, Alan and Freddie dead-heated with Major John Birtwistle’s mount Leyton Orient at Doncaster, then won the valuable Vaux National Hunters’ Chase at Catterick. They followed that with a six-length triumph in the Foxhunters’ Challenge Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday, March 7, little more than an hour before Arkle defeated Mill House for the first time in one of the greatest Cheltenham Gold Cups.
Next time out, Alan and Freddie were sent off 6-4 favourites for the Stewart Wight Memorial Handicap Chase at Kelso on April 4. Taking the lead three fences from home, they were well clear with the race at their mercy when parting company at the last fence. That was the last time Alan rode Freddie in a race. Professional jockey Bill Rees took over in the saddle two weeks later when Freddie failed by just half a length to peg back Johnny Haine’s mount Popham Down in the Scottish Grand National at Bogside.
Next time out, Alan and Freddie were sent off 6-4 favourites for the Stewart Wight Memorial Handicap Chase at Kelso on April 4. Taking the lead three fences from home, they were well clear with the race at their mercy when parting company at the last fence. That was the last time Alan rode Freddie in a race. Professional jockey Bill Rees took over in the saddle two weeks later when Freddie failed by just half a length to peg back Johnny Haine’s mount Popham Down in the Scottish Grand National at Bogside.
Alan married that same year (1964) and took out a permit to train. He went on to own, train and ride plenty of winners at the Northern and Scottish tracks during the ten-year period from the mid-60s to the mid-70s. They included seven each on Norbor and Red Seven, five each on Cherrybank and Knock Twice, and three on Ted Broon.
Alan married that same year (1964) and took out a permit to train. He went on to own, train and ride plenty of winners at the Northern and Scottish tracks during the ten-year period from the mid-60s to the mid-70s. They included seven each on Norbor and Red Seven, five each on Cherrybank and Knock Twice, and three on Ted Broon.
Cherrybank’s five successes included the Gosforth Park Amateur Cup and Kelso’s Jed Forest Handicap Chase, in which he beat former Scottish Grand National winner African Patrol.
Cherrybank’s five successes included the Gosforth Park Amateur Cup and Kelso’s Jed Forest Handicap Chase, in which he beat former Scottish Grand National winner African Patrol.
Knock Twice was probably Alan’s best horse. Besides winning five times with his owner on board, he also won several more races when professionally ridden by Ron Barry.
Knock Twice was probably Alan’s best horse. Besides winning five times with his owner on board, he also won several more races when professionally ridden by Ron Barry.
Alan won five amateur riders’ Flat races, the first of them on Paddy’s Court, defeating top Flat amateur rider Philip Mitchell aboard the odds-on favourite Ombre Solaire by a length and a half in the Four Mile Works Amateur Riders’ Stakes at Redcar on Saturday, August 9, 1969. Ironically, the race’s conditions specified that those amateurs who had not ridden a winner on the Flat could claim a 10lb allowance, so although Alan had ridden more winners than any of his opponents, albeit over jumps, he enjoyed that substantial weight concession, no doubt to Philip Mitchell’s chagrin, as it made the difference between victory and defeat.
Alan won five amateur riders’ Flat races, the first of them on Paddy’s Court, defeating top Flat amateur rider Philip Mitchell aboard the odds-on favourite Ombre Solaire by a length and a half in the Four Mile Works Amateur Riders’ Stakes at Redcar on Saturday, August 9, 1969. Ironically, the race’s conditions specified that those amateurs who had not ridden a winner on the Flat could claim a 10lb allowance, so although Alan had ridden more winners than any of his opponents, albeit over jumps, he enjoyed that substantial weight concession, no doubt to Philip Mitchell’s chagrin, as it made the difference between victory and defeat.
Alan rode the last of his 69 winners on his old ally Knock Twice in the Kingmoor Handicap Chase at Carlisle on February 17, 1976. He also rode Knock Twice in his final start, finishing eighth at Carlisle in November 1977. By then, Alan was also close to bringing down the curtain on his successful race-riding career.
Alan rode the last of his 69 winners on his old ally Knock Twice in the Kingmoor Handicap Chase at Carlisle on February 17, 1976. He also rode Knock Twice in his final start, finishing eighth at Carlisle in November 1977. By then, Alan was also close to bringing down the curtain on his successful race-riding career.
He was involved for many years with the stallions standing at Mary Young’s Woodside Stud at Greenlaw, Berwickshire. He was also a regional representative for the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.
He was involved for many years with the stallions standing at Mary Young’s Woodside Stud at Greenlaw, Berwickshire. He was also a regional representative for the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.
A noted breeder, Alan achieved a great double during the 1990/91 season, winning two of the TBA’s annual awards, thanks to the successes of Docklands Express in the Whitbread Gold Cup and Racing Post Chase, and Blitzkrieg in the Captain Morgan Aintree Chase and Ascot’s Victor Chandler Chase.
A noted breeder, Alan achieved a great double during the 1990/91 season, winning two of the TBA’s annual awards, thanks to the successes of Docklands Express in the Whitbread Gold Cup and Racing Post Chase, and Blitzkrieg in the Captain Morgan Aintree Chase and Ascot’s Victor Chandler Chase.
On March 22, 2002, Alan enjoyed his most important success as a permit trainer when the home-bred Running Moss, owned by his wife Marty and ridden by amateur Clive Storey, won the £40,000 Ashleybank Investments Scottish Borders National at Kelso, in the presence of The Princess Royal.
On March 22, 2002, Alan enjoyed his most important success as a permit trainer when the home-bred Running Moss, owned by his wife Marty and ridden by amateur Clive Storey, won the £40,000 Ashleybank Investments Scottish Borders National at Kelso, in the presence of The Princess Royal.
He saddled his last winner when Royal Mackintosh won a three-mile two-furlong handicap chase at Ayr, ridden by Brian Harding, on November 12, 2012. Royal Mackintosh was also Alan’s final runner when, by the aged 13, he was pulled up at Carlisle on November 10, 2014.
He saddled his last winner when Royal Mackintosh won a three-mile two-furlong handicap chase at Ayr, ridden by Brian Harding, on November 12, 2012. Royal Mackintosh was also Alan’s final runner when, by the aged 13, he was pulled up at Carlisle on November 10, 2014.
Alan’s son, David, was also an amateur rider, while his other son, Jeremy, was a director of Doncaster Bloodstock Sales. They also have two cousins – Stuart, also a director of DBS, and Bruce, a former trainer.
Alan’s son, David, was also an amateur rider, while his other son, Jeremy, was a director of Doncaster Bloodstock Sales. They also have two cousins – Stuart, also a director of DBS, and Bruce, a former trainer.
Alan Mactaggart’s seven wins on Freddie were:
Alan Mactaggart’s seven wins on Freddie were:
1. John McKie Hunters’ Chase, Carlisle, April 15, 1963
1. John McKie Hunters’ Chase, Carlisle, April 15, 1963
2. Adamhill Hunters’ Chase, Bogside, April 20, 1963
2. Adamhill Hunters’ Chase, Bogside, April 20, 1963
3. Buccleuch Hunters’ Chase, May 1, 1963
3. Buccleuch Hunters’ Chase, May 1, 1963
4. Torcross Novice Hunters’ Chase, Ayr, May 21,1963
4. Torcross Novice Hunters’ Chase, Ayr, May 21,1963
5. Burghwallis Hunters’ Chase, Doncaster, February 1, 1964 (dead-heat)
5. Burghwallis Hunters’ Chase, Doncaster, February 1, 1964 (dead-heat)
6. Vaux National Hunters’ Chase, Catterick, February 15, 1964
6. Vaux National Hunters’ Chase, Catterick, February 15, 1964
7. Foxhunters’ Challenge Cup Hunters’ Chase, Cheltenham, March 7, 1964
7. Foxhunters’ Challenge Cup Hunters’ Chase, Cheltenham, March 7, 1964
