Allan MacKay
Allan MacKay was born in Stirling, Scotland, on July 20, 1959, and was apprenticed to Tommy Craig in Dunbar before moving on to Eric Eldin's stable at Newmarket.
Allan MacKay was born in Stirling, Scotland, on July 20, 1959, and was apprenticed to Tommy Craig in Dunbar before moving on to Eric Eldin's stable at Newmarket.
He won on his first-ever ride, Lanark Birk at York on October 8, 1976 and, in 1982, he was runner-up in the Crown Plus Two apprentice championship.
He won on his first-ever ride, Lanark Birk at York on October 8, 1976 and, in 1982, he was runner-up in the Crown Plus Two apprentice championship.
He spent July 20 1982 with his family at Grangemouth, Fife, celebrating not only his 23rd birthday but also his win the day before on Lustanica in the £15,000 Tennent Trophy in a heatwave at Ayr.
He spent July 20 1982 with his family at Grangemouth, Fife, celebrating not only his 23rd birthday but also his win the day before on Lustanica in the £15,000 Tennent Trophy in a heatwave at Ayr.
He first ever treble came at Redcar in May, 1983 and the next month, at Sandown on June 11, he rode a second on Golden Rhyme, Degay and Noster Puer at odds of 535-1.
He first ever treble came at Redcar in May, 1983 and the next month, at Sandown on June 11, he rode a second on Golden Rhyme, Degay and Noster Puer at odds of 535-1.
Another 1983 highlight came when beating Lester Piggott by a short head in the Royal Hongkong Jockey Club Trophy.
Another 1983 highlight came when beating Lester Piggott by a short head in the Royal Hongkong Jockey Club Trophy.
In July, 1989, Allan, together with eight other men and a woman, was jointly charged with plotting to smuggle cocaine worth £7 million into Britain.
In July, 1989, Allan, together with eight other men and a woman, was jointly charged with plotting to smuggle cocaine worth £7 million into Britain.
Then aged 29, he was arrested on April 9, and spent three months in custody. He was only able to return to the saddle after his father-in-law Eric Eldin agreed to stand surety of £250,000 bail.
Then aged 29, he was arrested on April 9, and spent three months in custody. He was only able to return to the saddle after his father-in-law Eric Eldin agreed to stand surety of £250,000 bail.
His first winner back came on 14-1 chance Bashaq which he drove to a short-head victory in the Leslie Ames Handicap. He hadto overcome an objection by Michael Hills on the second to keep the race.
His first winner back came on 14-1 chance Bashaq which he drove to a short-head victory in the Leslie Ames Handicap. He hadto overcome an objection by Michael Hills on the second to keep the race.
He was granted bail (£500,000 surety) for the second time on August 18, 1989, and released from Brixton Prison.
He was granted bail (£500,000 surety) for the second time on August 18, 1989, and released from Brixton Prison.
At Croydon Crown Court on January 24, 1990, Allan was alleged to have had a 'managerial' role and had been arrested after telephone calls arranging nine shipments of the drug were traced to him.
At Croydon Crown Court on January 24, 1990, Allan was alleged to have had a 'managerial' role and had been arrested after telephone calls arranging nine shipments of the drug were traced to him.
On Thursday June 28, 1990, Allan was cleared of conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into Britain. Then living at Moulton Road, Newmarket, he was free to continue his career.
On Thursday June 28, 1990, Allan was cleared of conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into Britain. Then living at Moulton Road, Newmarket, he was free to continue his career.
On Friday May 26 2006, Allan MacKay rode for the last time. He partnered Almanshood at Newmarket in the Unicorn Free Spirit Partnership.
On Friday May 26 2006, Allan MacKay rode for the last time. He partnered Almanshood at Newmarket in the Unicorn Free Spirit Partnership.
Allan's height was 5ft 1inch.
Allan's height was 5ft 1inch.
He married Lorraine, a daughter of jockey Eric Eldin.
He married Lorraine, a daughter of jockey Eric Eldin.
Allan now shares his expertise with his two sons, Nicky and Jamie, who both became jockeys. Nicky rode a winner for Sir Michael Stoute at Royal Ascot.
Allan now shares his expertise with his two sons, Nicky and Jamie, who both became jockeys. Nicky rode a winner for Sir Michael Stoute at Royal Ascot.
On March 25, 2017, Allan suffered a life-changing injury in a fall on the Newmarket gallops. The fall left him paralysed and confined to a wheelchair.
On March 25, 2017, Allan suffered a life-changing injury in a fall on the Newmarket gallops. The fall left him paralysed and confined to a wheelchair.
Big winners
Big winners
1983: Cumberland Plate – Scottish Dream
1983: Cumberland Plate – Scottish Dream
1983: Bessborough Stakes – Grand Unit
1983: Bessborough Stakes – Grand Unit
1987: Victoria Cup – Fusilier
1987: Victoria Cup – Fusilier
1998: Chester Cup – Silence In Court
1998: Chester Cup – Silence In Court