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Don McAllister
Don McAllister
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Don McAllister rode over jumps for several seasons during the 1970s and recorded six victories. His first ride in public was on Military Road, finishing seventh of 11 starters in the Prestwick Selling Hurdle at Newcastle on October 29, 1975.
Don McAllister rode over jumps for several seasons during the 1970s and recorded six victories. His first ride in public was on Military Road, finishing seventh of 11 starters in the Prestwick Selling Hurdle at Newcastle on October 29, 1975.
More than two years elapsed before he opened his account at Huntingdon on January 26, 1978, when Mr Playbirds ran on well to take the Offord Novices’ Hurdle by three lengths. The horse was trained at Newmarket by Neville Callaghan, who also supplied Don with his second winner when Prince Of Pleasure just got the better of a prolonged duel with Santellis, ridden by Paul Barton, at the end of the Oak Open Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park on March 11.
More than two years elapsed before he opened his account at Huntingdon on January 26, 1978, when Mr Playbirds ran on well to take the Offord Novices’ Hurdle by three lengths. The horse was trained at Newmarket by Neville Callaghan, who also supplied Don with his second winner when Prince Of Pleasure just got the better of a prolonged duel with Santellis, ridden by Paul Barton, at the end of the Oak Open Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park on March 11.
Don’s third win was a much more comfortable affair, landing the Hay Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1, Part 1) at Hereford on April 11 by seven lengths on another Callaghan-trained horse, News King.
Don’s third win was a much more comfortable affair, landing the Hay Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1, Part 1) at Hereford on April 11 by seven lengths on another Callaghan-trained horse, News King.
He had ridden those three wins from as few as nine rides, but he drew a blank for the 1978/79 season. However, on his first ride for more than nine months he won at Leicester on November 20, 1979, when Lord Leigh, making his debut over jumps, just held off the challenge of Alan Brown’s mount Malicious Red to take the Beginners Novices’ Hurdle. Lord Leigh was trained by another Newmarket handler, Ron Boss, for whom Don was now riding, and they teamed up at Huntingdon just seven days later to take the Paxton Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) with Sharp Fiddle.
He had ridden those three wins from as few as nine rides, but he drew a blank for the 1978/79 season. However, on his first ride for more than nine months he won at Leicester on November 20, 1979, when Lord Leigh, making his debut over jumps, just held off the challenge of Alan Brown’s mount Malicious Red to take the Beginners Novices’ Hurdle. Lord Leigh was trained by another Newmarket handler, Ron Boss, for whom Don was now riding, and they teamed up at Huntingdon just seven days later to take the Paxton Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) with Sharp Fiddle.
After finishing second, beaten three-quarters of a length, at Fontwell Park in December, the pair scored again at Southwell on January 10, 1980, taking the Cromwell Handicap Hurdle by ten lengths. However, four more outings brought only one third place.
After finishing second, beaten three-quarters of a length, at Fontwell Park in December, the pair scored again at Southwell on January 10, 1980, taking the Cromwell Handicap Hurdle by ten lengths. However, four more outings brought only one third place.
Don had just a few more rides, although he came close on the last of them when Lord Leighton led for much of the way in the Coral Handicap Hurdle at Fakenham on Easter Monday, April 20, 1981, staying on to finish second to Migrator.
Don had just a few more rides, although he came close on the last of them when Lord Leighton led for much of the way in the Coral Handicap Hurdle at Fakenham on Easter Monday, April 20, 1981, staying on to finish second to Migrator.
In addition to his victories in England he also rode winners in Scandinavia.
Don McAllister’s winners were, in chronological order:
Don McAllister’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Mr Playbirds, Huntingdon, January 28, 1978
1. Mr Playbirds, Huntingdon, January 28, 1978
2. Prince Of Pleasure, Sandown Park, March 11, 1978
2. Prince Of Pleasure, Sandown Park, March 11, 1978
3. News King, Hereford, April 11, 1978.
3. News King, Hereford, April 11, 1978.
4. Lord Leigh, Leicester, November 20, 1979
4. Lord Leigh, Leicester, November 20, 1979
5. Sharp Fiddle, Huntingdon, November 27, 1979
5. Sharp Fiddle, Huntingdon, November 27, 1979
6. Sharp Fiddle, Southwell, January 10, 1980
6. Sharp Fiddle, Southwell, January 10, 1980
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