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1883 - 1940
1883 - 1940
David McGuigan was born on May 15, 1883. He was the brother of well-known trainer John McGuigan and nephew of John’s jockey son, also named David. He rode winners on the Flat and over jumps..
David McGuigan was born on May 15, 1883. He was the brother of well-known trainer John McGuigan and nephew of John’s jockey son, also named David. He rode winners on the Flat and over jumps..
Like his brother, he grew up among horses and lived in an atmosphere of racing. In 1897, he became apprenticed to the great Irish trainer Michael Dawson at Rathbride Manor, the Curragh. He finished his apprenticeship with his brother John at Cree Lodge, Ayr.
Like his brother, he grew up among horses and lived in an atmosphere of racing. In 1897, he became apprenticed to the great Irish trainer Michael Dawson at Rathbride Manor, the Curragh. He finished his apprenticeship with his brother John at Cree Lodge, Ayr.
There is an interesting story of how David came to ride his first winner over jumps, as told in John McGuigan’s autobiography ‘A Trainer’s Memoirs’, published in 1946. It happened on the second day of Carlisle’s two-day mixed meeting on Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd April, 1902.
There is an interesting story of how David came to ride his first winner over jumps, as told in John McGuigan’s autobiography ‘A Trainer’s Memoirs’, published in 1946. It happened on the second day of Carlisle’s two-day mixed meeting on Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd April, 1902.
David won the Eden Selling Handicap over 5½ furlongs on his brother’s filly Sister Sarah. The following race was a handicap hurdle, in which John ran a horse named Forcemeat. David knew that his brother’s jump jockey had had a fall at Kelso earlier that week and wouldn’t be able to ride, so he begged his brother to let him have the mount, even though he didn’t have a National Hunt licence (in those days, NH jockeys were permitted to have a few rides before taking out a licence). The trainer agreed and David rode a fine race to win by a head, beating a useful mare called Merry Shields.
David won the Eden Selling Handicap over 5½ furlongs on his brother’s filly Sister Sarah. The following race was a handicap hurdle, in which John ran a horse named Forcemeat. David knew that his brother’s jump jockey had had a fall at Kelso earlier that week and wouldn’t be able to ride, so he begged his brother to let him have the mount, even though he didn’t have a National Hunt licence (in those days, NH jockeys were permitted to have a few rides before taking out a licence). The trainer agreed and David rode a fine race to win by a head, beating a useful mare called Merry Shields.
He enjoyed his best year over jumps in 1913 with six wins. They included Bell Toll in a handicap chase at Shincliffe in May. The following year, David rode Bell Toll to win the West of Scotland Handicap Chase at Bogside. He also rode Bell Toll in the 1914 Grand Sefton Chase at Liverpool and looked all over the winner jumping the last fence but weakened on the run-in and finished fifth.
He enjoyed his best year over jumps in 1913 with six wins. They included Bell Toll in a handicap chase at Shincliffe in May. The following year, David rode Bell Toll to win the West of Scotland Handicap Chase at Bogside. He also rode Bell Toll in the 1914 Grand Sefton Chase at Liverpool and looked all over the winner jumping the last fence but weakened on the run-in and finished fifth.
Earlier that year, Saturday, April 11, 1914, David won the last race of the final meeting ever held at the Dumfriesshire Hunt NH fixture, the three-runner Castlemilk Hurdle on Universal Service. His brother John trained three of the day’s six winners.
Earlier that year, Saturday, April 11, 1914, David won the last race of the final meeting ever held at the Dumfriesshire Hunt NH fixture, the three-runner Castlemilk Hurdle on Universal Service. His brother John trained three of the day’s six winners.
The Dumfriesshire Hunt Steeplechase meeting dated back to the 1850s and appear to have had a nomadic existence. Initially held at Dalton, they moved to the village of Collin, near Dumfries in the 1870s, though by the 1890s they were taking place at Riggfoot, Carnsalloch. Its final venue was at Justinlees, near Annan, where it relocated in 1901. Hurdle races were introduced to the programme in 1912 but the overall standard of racing was very moderate and, with no race being worth more than £38 tote winner, it was no great surprise that it failed to reappear after the Great War.
The Dumfriesshire Hunt Steeplechase meeting dated back to the 1850s and appear to have had a nomadic existence. Initially held at Dalton, they moved to the village of Collin, near Dumfries in the 1870s, though by the 1890s they were taking place at Riggfoot, Carnsalloch. Its final venue was at Justinlees, near Annan, where it relocated in 1901. Hurdle races were introduced to the programme in 1912 but the overall standard of racing was very moderate and, with no race being worth more than £38 tote winner, it was no great surprise that it failed to reappear after the Great War.
David had his 33rd and last winner and also his final ride in Britain at Kelso’s two-day meeting on Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th April, 1924. On the Wednesday he won the Nenthorn Selling Handicap Hurdle on King of Troy. The following day he rode Lowland Sport, who was one of the fallers in the United Border Hunt Chase.
David had his 33rd and last winner and also his final ride in Britain at Kelso’s two-day meeting on Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th April, 1924. On the Wednesday he won the Nenthorn Selling Handicap Hurdle on King of Troy. The following day he rode Lowland Sport, who was one of the fallers in the United Border Hunt Chase.
David emigrated to South Africa and rode there with success both on the Flat and over hurdles and fences. His patrons include Sir Abe Bailey, for whom he won a£300 handicap hurdle at Johannesburg on an Irish-bred horse called Mount Hilary. He also won the South African Grand National on Lepanto.
David emigrated to South Africa and rode there with success both on the Flat and over hurdles and fences. His patrons include Sir Abe Bailey, for whom he won a£300 handicap hurdle at Johannesburg on an Irish-bred horse called Mount Hilary. He also won the South African Grand National on Lepanto.
He was only 57 when he died on December 31, 1940.
He was only 57 when he died on December 31, 1940.
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