David McGuigan
David McGuigan – born 1905
David McGuigan – born 1905
1905 - 1966
1905 - 1966
David (Davy) McGuigan was born in Ayr on March 25, 1905, the son of Cree Lodge trainer John McGuigan. He was christened David after the trainer’s jockey brother.
David (Davy) McGuigan was born in Ayr on March 25, 1905, the son of Cree Lodge trainer John McGuigan. He was christened David after the trainer’s jockey brother.
He served his apprenticeship with his father and had his first ride in public when aged 14 on Buzz Off in the Apprentice Plate at Ayr on April 4, 1919. It was a perfect start for young Davy, who got Buzz Off up to win by a neck in a three-way finish, with the third horse just a neck further back.
He served his apprenticeship with his father and had his first ride in public when aged 14 on Buzz Off in the Apprentice Plate at Ayr on April 4, 1919. It was a perfect start for young Davy, who got Buzz Off up to win by a neck in a three-way finish, with the third horse just a neck further back.
His second ride, on Playing Field in the Ravenspark Selling Handicap at Bogside seven days later, was also a winning one.
His second ride, on Playing Field in the Ravenspark Selling Handicap at Bogside seven days later, was also a winning one.
Before Davy was 15 years old he had received a retainer of £500 to go south and join Martin Hartigan’s Foxhill Stables to ride the lightweights for owner James White. Steve Donoghue was stable jockey at that time and a youthful Gordon Richards was then an apprentice in the same yard.
Before Davy was 15 years old he had received a retainer of £500 to go south and join Martin Hartigan’s Foxhill Stables to ride the lightweights for owner James White. Steve Donoghue was stable jockey at that time and a youthful Gordon Richards was then an apprentice in the same yard.
Davy won 13 races and was placed on 10 other occasions on the popular handicapper Pickle, including the 1931 Cumberland Handicap, the 1932 John Osborne Handicap at Newcastle; the 1933 Edinburgh Summer Handicap and that year’s Caledonian Hunt Handicap at Ayr, plus the 1934 Ripon City Handicap. David and Pickle also won three consecutive runnings of the Beverley Handicap (1932-33-34).
Davy won 13 races and was placed on 10 other occasions on the popular handicapper Pickle, including the 1931 Cumberland Handicap, the 1932 John Osborne Handicap at Newcastle; the 1933 Edinburgh Summer Handicap and that year’s Caledonian Hunt Handicap at Ayr, plus the 1934 Ripon City Handicap. David and Pickle also won three consecutive runnings of the Beverley Handicap (1932-33-34).
Dunrel was another consistent partner: Davy won three times on him in 1935.
Dunrel was another consistent partner: Davy won three times on him in 1935.
He served in the R.A.F. during the war, then continued his riding career after its cessation. With a riding weight of 8 stone, he rode as a freelance, retiring in 1949.
He served in the R.A.F. during the war, then continued his riding career after its cessation. With a riding weight of 8 stone, he rode as a freelance, retiring in 1949.
David (Davy) McGuigan died in 1966, aged 61.
David (Davy) McGuigan died in 1966, aged 61.
David McGuigan returns on Prince of Lomond after winning at Musselburgh.
David McGuigan returns on Prince of Lomond after winning at Musselburgh.