Callum Whillans
Born February 1989 Assistant Trainer
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.
Garry Whillans
Born 1987. Senior work rider (weekends)
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!!
Craig 'Pinky' Patterson
Born 1985. Senior
Work Rider
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.
Laura Arnott
Born September 2003,
Stable lass, work rider
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.
Shay Farmer
Born February 2008, Stable lad, work rider
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.
Rhae Pringle
Born May 2005, Stable lass, work rider
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.