Alan Witton

Alan Witton

Article by Alan Trout

Alan David Witton made a promising start to his career over jumps with a couple of winners in his first season but he was unable to add to his score despite riding for several more years. 

Associated with the stable of Tommy Taylor at Lichfield, Staffordshire, his first ride did not go well, when Topside fell at the fourth flight in the Sinnington Selling Handicap Hurdle at Catterick on December 11, 1971. Leading jockey Barry Brogan then had two rides on the six-year-old, yielding one third place, before Alan teamed up with him again and they won the Coseley Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle at Wolverhampton on January 10, 1972, beating Cabaret Time by three lengths, having taken the lead two flights from home.

Just four days later, Alan scored again when Pontus was successful in the Karena Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Southwell, finishing two lengths ahead of future top Flat trainer Bill O’Gorman on Strong Heart. 

Neither of Alan’s winners did much for the rest of the season, and although he persevered, a third winner did not come his way. His final ride ended the same way as his first, with a fall, this time from Potterton in the Three Miles Holiday Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2, Part 1) at Uttoxeter on Easter Monday, April 11, 1977.