Donald Whillans has churned out a steady flow of horse racing winners since first taking out a licence in 1999. Based just outside Hawick, he is involved in the family knitwear business along with his father Chas and brother Alistair, who also trains in the area.
Though principally a jumps trainer, he has saddled a few winners on the Flat from his Dodlands Steading stable. Having cut his teeth in the borders common riding and flapping circuit he progressed through the point to point scene and recorded a treble at Perth while operating with a permit.
His two sons Garry and Callum both ride. Garry is a conditional rider while Callum may join his older brother in the professional ranks shortly.
Donald said: “It was a difficult winter for everybody but we suffered pretty badly here. We’re riding out nearly 20 horses but we never seem to do well in the depths of winter. Spring and autumn is our time and the horses are in good order at the moment.”