Doug McClelland
The spelling of the surname for National Hunt jockey Doug McClelland is confusing. Was it McClelland with a C or McLelland without a C? The usual guides are divided. Horses in Training 1967 lists him as ‘McClelland’ but the next year’s edition spells the name ‘McLelland’. Similarly, the 1966/67 Racing Up-to-Date Form Book shows him as ‘McClelland’ whereas 1967/68’s lists him as ‘McLelland’. The Racing Calendar, which purports to be the ultimate guide, has him down as ‘McLelland’. You pays your money and you takes your choice. For the purposes of this page, we’ll call him ‘McClelland’ with a C, primarily because that’s the name that shows alongside all of his winners in the form book.
The spelling of the surname for National Hunt jockey Doug McClelland is confusing. Was it McClelland with a C or McLelland without a C? The usual guides are divided. Horses in Training 1967 lists him as ‘McClelland’ but the next year’s edition spells the name ‘McLelland’. Similarly, the 1966/67 Racing Up-to-Date Form Book shows him as ‘McClelland’ whereas 1967/68’s lists him as ‘McLelland’. The Racing Calendar, which purports to be the ultimate guide, has him down as ‘McLelland’. You pays your money and you takes your choice. For the purposes of this page, we’ll call him ‘McClelland’ with a C, primarily because that’s the name that shows alongside all of his winners in the form book.
What is known is that Douglas Campbell McClelland started out at Arthur Stephenson’s Leasingthorne stables in Bishop Auckland and was associated with one particular horse, a three-mile chaser named Bat Masterson.
What is known is that Douglas Campbell McClelland started out at Arthur Stephenson’s Leasingthorne stables in Bishop Auckland and was associated with one particular horse, a three-mile chaser named Bat Masterson.
Stephenson had bought Bat Masterson from Dan Ruttle in Ireland in the late summer of 1964. Stable jockey Paddy Broderick rode him in his first two British races without success, so the yard’s 7lb claimer Doug McClelland came in for the ride next time out at Catterick on New Year’s Day 1965, only to be unseated after leading for most of the race.
Stephenson had bought Bat Masterson from Dan Ruttle in Ireland in the late summer of 1964. Stable jockey Paddy Broderick rode him in his first two British races without success, so the yard’s 7lb claimer Doug McClelland came in for the ride next time out at Catterick on New Year’s Day 1965, only to be unseated after leading for most of the race.
However, on their next start together, at Wetherby on February 27, 1965, Doug and Bat Masterson led until three out, where they were headed by the grey Tant Pis, but fought back on the run-in to score by half a length, giving Doug his first winner. They followed up at Southwell in March and then won the Hamilton-Campbell Challenge Cup Chase at Ayr in April. Doug rode one more winner that season, Stephenson’s selling hurdler Speedville at Uttoxeter in May.
However, on their next start together, at Wetherby on February 27, 1965, Doug and Bat Masterson led until three out, where they were headed by the grey Tant Pis, but fought back on the run-in to score by half a length, giving Doug his first winner. They followed up at Southwell in March and then won the Hamilton-Campbell Challenge Cup Chase at Ayr in April. Doug rode one more winner that season, Stephenson’s selling hurdler Speedville at Uttoxeter in May.
Doug and Bat Masterson won on their seasonal reappearance at Catterick at the end of October 1965, but they could only finish fifth when upped in company next time out behind Stirling, Phemius, King of Diamonds and Freddie in Wetherby’s Emblem Handicap Chase.
Doug and Bat Masterson won on their seasonal reappearance at Catterick at the end of October 1965, but they could only finish fifth when upped in company next time out behind Stirling, Phemius, King of Diamonds and Freddie in Wetherby’s Emblem Handicap Chase.
Bat Masterson was off the course for twelve months after that Wetherby race. He and Doug were reunited at Nottingham in November 1966 but, sadly, Bat Masterson was fatally injured when falling at the fifteenth fence when still in contention.
Bat Masterson was off the course for twelve months after that Wetherby race. He and Doug were reunited at Nottingham in November 1966 but, sadly, Bat Masterson was fatally injured when falling at the fifteenth fence when still in contention.
Doug subsequently moved south and joined Bury St Edmunds trainer Derek Weeden. He won one race from ten rides for him, handicap hurdler Longwings at Huntingdon on September 2, 1968, but had hung up his boots by the end of that season.
Doug subsequently moved south and joined Bury St Edmunds trainer Derek Weeden. He won one race from ten rides for him, handicap hurdler Longwings at Huntingdon on September 2, 1968, but had hung up his boots by the end of that season.
Doug McClelland’s winners were, in chronological order:
Doug McClelland’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Bat Masterson, Wetherby, 27, 1965
1. Bat Masterson, Wetherby, 27, 1965
2. Bat Masterson, Southwell, March 8, 1965
2. Bat Masterson, Southwell, March 8, 1965
3. Bat Masterson, Ayr, April 5, 1965
3. Bat Masterson, Ayr, April 5, 1965
4. Speedville, Uttoxeter, May 22, 1965
4. Speedville, Uttoxeter, May 22, 1965
5. Bat Masterson, Catterick Bridge, October 30, 1965
5. Bat Masterson, Catterick Bridge, October 30, 1965
6. Longwings, Huntingdon, September 2, 1968
6. Longwings, Huntingdon, September 2, 1968