Members of The Team

Callum Whillans
Born February 1989 Assistant Trainer

Callum profile
March 2020 was certainly a period none of us will forget in a hurry. But lockdown aside, there were a couple of days to remember for NH Jockey Callum Whillans.
7th March at Ayr, he steered his own family's 11 year old mare Baby Ticker to a thrilling victory to ride out his claim. Then a week later, he rode his 76th winner (and first without a claim) on Stainsby Girl at Newcastle. For much of the last 2-3 seasons, Callum has been combining riding with the position of Assistant Trainer to Donald and having achieved these milestones, during the summer Callum decided to concentrate solely on the assistant role here.
There were several stable associates present on these two March days that were also at Musselburgh in February, a full 10 years prior, when a young 7lb claiming amateur drove home Leith Walk for his first winner. The source of Callum's affection of race-mares is thus easily tracked - with both Leith Walk and Stainsby Girl being white-blazed chestnuts.
But not much will change in Callum's daily routine. First up each morning, and down to the yard with breakfast for the string before seeing to his own. A quick check on the staff and work riders in on a morning and the work rota is 'chalked up'.
Callum will ride out 3 or 4 lots himself - maybe more if needed -  obtaining feedback from the work riders, and discussing the equine health of the inmates with The Trainer. Vets, blacksmiths and owners are taken in their stride during visits to the yard.

Callum with Keneth

Garry Whillans
Born 1987. Senior work rider (weekends)

Garry portrait
It's not that long ago since Garry was our first choice National Hunt jockey. Indeed he rode 10 winners in that sphere before joining Alan Swinbank and concentrating on the flat.

Garry is now retired and working as a plumber for a local firm. However, he spent his last couple of years in the saddle as a freelance riding winners for the likes of Scobie Jardine and Brother Ali. Garry rode over 35 winners on the flat.

So, we're delighted that, once again, Garry is around at weekends at Dodlands Steading, as his vast experience will not be lost on us here. Garry also manages to ride out first lot each weekday too.
Garry is so meticulous in every aspect of his life, and his yard management and work ethic he is a huge influence on our young weekend riders.
Oh, and he has been known to suggest the odd good idea to his father and brother - not that they ever let on!!.

Garry has a young son Freddie who just loves his regular visits to the yard and of course is the apple of his grandmother's eye - sorry Callum & Garry but there's no competition!!

Garry riding out Janie

Craig 'Pinky' Patterson
Born 1985. Senior Work Rider

Pinky portrait
Pinky is a plumber to trade and works with a local firm in Hawick, where he also lives.

He is an experienced work rider, and has been considered a reliable, first class horseman by all of the local trainers with whom he has been associated over the passed years.

So where did the nickname of 'Pinky' come from?
There are some of our local Hawick owners who have never referred to Craig as anything else, so we just had to seek out its' origins.
Well, it harks back to primary school and the first outing of an excited class of youngsters to 'the baths' (aka the local swimming pool). Being of such a young age, Craig's sports bag was lovingly packed by his mum. However, once in the changing area, as the young Craig unpacked his sport bag...there it was, for all his class mates to see - a pink towel! Oh mum!

Anyway, here is another young man who we are delighted to see back at Dodlands for yet another season where he will be riding out at weekends and the occasional morning.

Pinky riding out

Laura Arnott
Born September 2003, Stable lass, work rider

Laura portrait
It was at the start of season 2018-19 that a trio of teenagers from Hawick High School joined the team here at Dodlands Steading on a part time basis.
Part-time?
Well, aside from school attendance, Rebecca, Leah and Laura would be found down at the yard on weekends and high day & holidays such was the enthusiasm and dedication shown. After the summer of 2020, and following a stint at the British Racing School Rebecca has taken up a stable post at a Flat Yard, Leah is continuing as a part -time team member / high school scholar and Laura Arnott has accepted our offer of a full-time position.
Although Laura had been riding since 2015 - she has really blossomed in terms of both skill & technique and confidence around (at times) highly strung thoroughbreds in the last couple of seasons. A dedicated and hard worker around the yard, she is regarded as a very competent morning work rider and we feel very fortunate to have Laura on a full-time basis.
And, she just loves trips to the racecourse where she is constantly expanding her horse management knowledge in pre-race preparation and post-race care.

Laura's favourite horse is Nights In Venice.

Laura and Mac

Shay Farmer
Born February 2008, Stable lad, work rider

Shay portrait
Shay is an former pupil of Hawick High School and is here at Dodlands until the end of the year (2023) when he'll get his licence and move to a Flat Yard to start off his full-time career.

Although young in years, Shay has already packed in a fair amount of horse riding into his life so far.
Prior to 2023, for a couple of seasons while still at school, he'd been popping down to Dodlands at weekends and during the Summer of  2022 rode a few winners on the local Pony Racing circuit.
Summer of 2023 was a very successful time for Shay as he rode 6 winners in Pony Racing and also a double at Dingle in Ireland during a Summer visit

As well as horse riding, he likes rugby and used to play for his school side. .
Very keen to learn as much as possible about horse care, Shay can often be found in conversation with Donald & Callum about the why's and wherefore's of stable management.

Shay & Matilda

Rhae Pringle
Born May 2005, Stable lass, work rider

Rhae close up
Once upon a time, there was a young lady enjoying a pleasant Sunday morning hack around the Hawick countryside. Fate intervened when she bumped into a group of fellow young riders.
A conversation was struck up.....
"Why don't you pop down to Dodlands Steading?" suggested one of the group.

And that invitation from Leah Dodds (formerly of Dodlands, now of Teacher Training College) led to Rhae - for she was that young lady - turning up at Dodlands in the Spring of 2023 for a couple of mornings each week. Just to see how life was lived in a racing yard.
Well, someone made an impression as Rhae is now full time in the yard from the start of the 2023-24 NH Season and thoroughly enjoying her time here in what is effectively her first job (she worked for her dad in his local butcher's business since leaving the local Hawick High School). Okay, admittedly, Rhae's family know a bit about stable management as her elder sister Erin is based with Kinneston Nick over in Fife.

She really enjoys going to the races and leading up and Rhae's favourite horses are Enemy At The Gate and Both Barrels.

Rhae and Lord
   © DonaldWhillansRacing.com 2012  all rights reserved  |   Web Design : Viewforth Consultants Ltd.