Doug White
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Shropshire National Hunt jockey Douglas Harry White was born on March 28, 1948. He served a three-year apprenticeship with Bill Brookes, who trained at Eaton Constantine, near Shrewsbury, from April 22, 1963 to April 21, 1966 and rode as Brookes’ stable jockey thereafter.
Shropshire National Hunt jockey Douglas Harry White was born on March 28, 1948. He served a three-year apprenticeship with Bill Brookes, who trained at Eaton Constantine, near Shrewsbury, from April 22, 1963 to April 21, 1966 and rode as Brookes’ stable jockey thereafter.
Doug did not ride his first winner until January 3, 1969 when Brookes’ grey novice hurdler Sea Dragon obliged at Haydock. The partnership won again at Wolverhampton ten days later, but not before a scare at the last flight where a blunder almost cost him victory. Luckily, Doug was able to get his horse going again and they went on to beat Macer Gifford’s mount Scamp by a length and a half.
Doug did not ride his first winner until January 3, 1969 when Brookes’ grey novice hurdler Sea Dragon obliged at Haydock. The partnership won again at Wolverhampton ten days later, but not before a scare at the last flight where a blunder almost cost him victory. Luckily, Doug was able to get his horse going again and they went on to beat Macer Gifford’s mount Scamp by a length and a half.
The following season, 1969/70, he rode seven winners, initiated by a Wolverhampton double in December on Sea Dragon and novice hurdler Ocean Spray, thus doubling Doug’s tally of winners in the space of half an hour!
The following season, 1969/70, he rode seven winners, initiated by a Wolverhampton double in December on Sea Dragon and novice hurdler Ocean Spray, thus doubling Doug’s tally of winners in the space of half an hour!
That prefaced a good start to the New Year, for he rode four winners during January, including Hugh Sumner’s Gay Kildare – subsequently rated by Doug as the best he rode – at Uttoxeter, beating Terry Biddlecombe on Fred Rimell’s highly regarded Table Mountain.
That prefaced a good start to the New Year, for he rode four winners during January, including Hugh Sumner’s Gay Kildare – subsequently rated by Doug as the best he rode – at Uttoxeter, beating Terry Biddlecombe on Fred Rimell’s highly regarded Table Mountain.
There was just one winner to show for 1970/71, this being Brookes’ novice hurdler Pearlyric at Haydock in January, but it was Doug’s tenth winner of his career, resulting in his claim being reduced from 7lb to 5lb.
There was just one winner to show for 1970/71, this being Brookes’ novice hurdler Pearlyric at Haydock in January, but it was Doug’s tenth winner of his career, resulting in his claim being reduced from 7lb to 5lb.
Wolverhampton trainer Bob Clay provided Doug with his first winner of 1971/72, on selling hurdler L’Esprit, up north at Hexham. Pearlyric won a novice riders’ hurdle at Cheltenham’s 1972 New Year meeting, and then won again at Warwick on January 29.
Wolverhampton trainer Bob Clay provided Doug with his first winner of 1971/72, on selling hurdler L’Esprit, up north at Hexham. Pearlyric won a novice riders’ hurdle at Cheltenham’s 1972 New Year meeting, and then won again at Warwick on January 29.
Surprisingly, although he continued to hold a jockey’s licence until the 1974/75 season, Doug White rode no more winners, giving him a career total of 13. Those winners were, in chronological order:
Surprisingly, although he continued to hold a jockey’s licence until the 1974/75 season, Doug White rode no more winners, giving him a career total of 13. Those winners were, in chronological order:
1. Sea Dragon, Haydock Park, January 3, 1969
1. Sea Dragon, Haydock Park, January 3, 1969
2. Sea Dragon, Wolverhampton, January 13, 1969
2. Sea Dragon, Wolverhampton, January 13, 1969
3. Sea Dragon, Wolverhampton, December 1, 1969
3. Sea Dragon, Wolverhampton, December 1, 1969
4. Ocean Spray, Wolverhampton, December 1, 1969
4. Ocean Spray, Wolverhampton, December 1, 1969
5. Ocean Spray, Haydock Park, January 2, 1970
5. Ocean Spray, Haydock Park, January 2, 1970
6. Gay Kildare, Uttoxeter, January 15, 1970
6. Gay Kildare, Uttoxeter, January 15, 1970
7. Sea Dragon, Warwick, January 17, 1970
7. Sea Dragon, Warwick, January 17, 1970
8. Gelegnite, Worcester, January 26, 1970
8. Gelegnite, Worcester, January 26, 1970
9. Eastern Lane, Uttoxeter, March 31, 1970
9. Eastern Lane, Uttoxeter, March 31, 1970
10. Pearlyric, Haydock Park, January 16, 1971
10. Pearlyric, Haydock Park, January 16, 1971
11. L’Esprit, Hexham, October 14, 1971
11. L’Esprit, Hexham, October 14, 1971
12. Pearlyric, Cheltenham, January 5, 1972
12. Pearlyric, Cheltenham, January 5, 1972
13. Pearlyric,Warwick, January 29, 1972
13. Pearlyric,Warwick, January 29, 1972