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William Graham Macmillan – always known as Graham – was born in Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire, on July 29, 1935. He rode his first winner on Similar Lines in the Sportsmen’s Hurdle (a race for amateur riders) at Hexham on April 30, 1956.
William Graham Macmillan – always known as Graham – was born in Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire, on July 29, 1935. He rode his first winner on Similar Lines in the Sportsmen’s Hurdle (a race for amateur riders) at Hexham on April 30, 1956.
A leading amateur rider in the north for many years, he was the equal of most professionals. He rode a total of 159 winners and was runner-up in the amateur riders’ championship three times: to Chris Collins in 1965/66, to Michael Dickinson in 1969/70, and to John Lawrence (later Lord Oaksey) in 1970/71. He rode a career-best 16 winners in the 1970-71 season and was only beaten by one when John Lawrence had a winner on the last day of the season.
A leading amateur rider in the north for many years, he was the equal of most professionals. He rode a total of 159 winners and was runner-up in the amateur riders’ championship three times: to Chris Collins in 1965/66, to Michael Dickinson in 1969/70, and to John Lawrence (later Lord Oaksey) in 1970/71. He rode a career-best 16 winners in the 1970-71 season and was only beaten by one when John Lawrence had a winner on the last day of the season.
Graham, who hunted with the Dumfriesshire Foxhounds from the age of four, started off race riding in flapping events. He partnered 90 point-to-point winners, the first of them when aged just fifteen, and was still riding in his fifties.
Graham, who hunted with the Dumfriesshire Foxhounds from the age of four, started off race riding in flapping events. He partnered 90 point-to-point winners, the first of them when aged just fifteen, and was still riding in his fifties.
Two of his most memorable successes came on Roe Gemmel in the Mildmay Chase at Liverpool for trainer Bobby Fairburn, and on top hunter chaser Credit Call in the 1971 Horse and Hound Cup at Stratford for Arthur Stephenson.
Two of his most memorable successes came on Roe Gemmel in the Mildmay Chase at Liverpool for trainer Bobby Fairburn, and on top hunter chaser Credit Call in the 1971 Horse and Hound Cup at Stratford for Arthur Stephenson.
He won several races on Tommy Bell’s grey chaser Tee-Cee-Bee, including Ayr’s Arthur Challenge Cup in 1974 and the 3m 6f Whitbread Northern Trophy Chase at Newcastle on January 11, 1975.
He won several races on Tommy Bell’s grey chaser Tee-Cee-Bee, including Ayr’s Arthur Challenge Cup in 1974 and the 3m 6f Whitbread Northern Trophy Chase at Newcastle on January 11, 1975.
On one memorable occasion, Grahm rode his own horse, Baie Noir, to beat the great Freddie in a point-to-point at Friars Haugh, near Kelso. Graham had acquired Baie Noir out of Peter Cazalet’s stable.
On one memorable occasion, Grahm rode his own horse, Baie Noir, to beat the great Freddie in a point-to-point at Friars Haugh, near Kelso. Graham had acquired Baie Noir out of Peter Cazalet’s stable.
After retiring from race riding, Graham acted as a steward at Ayr, Carlisle and Hexham.
After retiring from race riding, Graham acted as a steward at Ayr, Carlisle and Hexham.
Graham’s brother, Charles Gibb Macmillan, also a successful amateur rider, died in a riding accident at his home near Lockerbie on October 13, 1989, aged 53.
Graham’s brother, Charles Gibb Macmillan, also a successful amateur rider, died in a riding accident at his home near Lockerbie on October 13, 1989, aged 53.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1966: Mildmay Chase – Roe Gemmel
1966: Mildmay Chase – Roe Gemmel
1971: Horse and Hound Cup Champion Hunters’ Chase – Credit Call
1971: Horse and Hound Cup Champion Hunters’ Chase – Credit Call
1972: Charlie Hall Chase – Coxswain
1972: Charlie Hall Chase – Coxswain
1974: Arthur Challenge Cup Chase – Tee Cee Bee
1974: Arthur Challenge Cup Chase – Tee Cee Bee
1975: Whitbread Northern Trophy – Tee Cee Bee
1975: Whitbread Northern Trophy – Tee Cee Bee
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