In a career that goes back more than 40 years, Leon Macdonald has established himself as a highly successful and respected trainer of thoroughbreds.
Leon Macdonald came from a racing family – his father was a hobby trainer and a number of his uncles were professional trainers. He took out his own training licence in Adelaide in 1972 and set himself up in his Uncle George’s stables at Morphettville. At first he trained part-time while also engaged in a corporate career, but in 1975 he decided to devote himself full-time to training.
For many years Macdonald has been among the leading South Australian trainers, and in 2001-02 he won the metropolitan trainers’ premiership. Outstanding Group 1 winners to have passed through his hands include Umrum, winner of the VATC Toorak Handicap in 1999 and 2000, and Gold Guru, winner of the Group 1 VRC Australian Guineas, AJC Australian Derby and STC Ranvet Stakes.
Macdonald also combined with jockey Clare Lindop to win both the VRC Derby and the SA Derby with Rebel Raider. His most recent Group 1 victory came with Southern Speed in the 2011 Caulfield Cup.
In 2009 he entered into a partnership with his son-in-law, Andrew Gluyas, with whom he now trains at the French Cotton Lodge stables.
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