Albert Parker
Albert's first winner: Caliche at Aldershot. November 15 1895
Albert's first winner: Caliche at Aldershot. November 15 1895
Albert Parker rode 145 winners over jumps between 1895 and 1914. He also rode a winner on the one and only day’s racing under National Hunt rules at Dawlish.
Albert Parker rode 145 winners over jumps between 1895 and 1914. He also rode a winner on the one and only day’s racing under National Hunt rules at Dawlish.
Albert had his first ride in public on a horse named Emigrant, who finished a tailed off last of three finishers in the Dormons Steeplechase at Lingfield Park on November 3, 1893. It was two years later before he rode his first winner on Caliche, the 10-1 outsider of seven, in the Bourley Selling Hurdle at Aldershot on November 15, 1895.
Albert had his first ride in public on a horse named Emigrant, who finished a tailed off last of three finishers in the Dormons Steeplechase at Lingfield Park on November 3, 1893. It was two years later before he rode his first winner on Caliche, the 10-1 outsider of seven, in the Bourley Selling Hurdle at Aldershot on November 15, 1895.
On September 20, 1900, the Devon seaside town of Dawlish celebrated the arrival of the 20th century with its inaugural National Hunt meeting. Though racing had taken place at Dawlish before, this was the first officially recognised fixture held there.
On September 20, 1900, the Devon seaside town of Dawlish celebrated the arrival of the 20th century with its inaugural National Hunt meeting. Though racing had taken place at Dawlish before, this was the first officially recognised fixture held there.
That night’s Exeter Evening Post waxed lyrical about the meeting, noting that it had taken place “in delightfully fine weather”. It continued: “This is the first time that these races have been held under these (National Hunt) Rules and it is hoped that the inauguration, at once received with abundant pleasure by the real sportsmen, will meet with every success.”
That night’s Exeter Evening Post waxed lyrical about the meeting, noting that it had taken place “in delightfully fine weather”. It continued: “This is the first time that these races have been held under these (National Hunt) Rules and it is hoped that the inauguration, at once received with abundant pleasure by the real sportsmen, will meet with every success.”
Although 33 horses had been entered for the five-race card, only 14 faced the starter, resulting in three matches and two four-horse races, hardly an auspicious start. Albert Parker made all the running High Glee to win the penultimate race, the two-mile four-runner Selling Hurdle, by a length.
Although 33 horses had been entered for the five-race card, only 14 faced the starter, resulting in three matches and two four-horse races, hardly an auspicious start. Albert Parker made all the running High Glee to win the penultimate race, the two-mile four-runner Selling Hurdle, by a length.
The following day’s Exeter Evening Post reported further on the races, observing that “some excitement was caused by the arrest of a pair of illegal card sharpers.”
The following day’s Exeter Evening Post reported further on the races, observing that “some excitement was caused by the arrest of a pair of illegal card sharpers.”
Despite the apparent enthusiasm with which the event was received, and perhaps because of the bad elements attracted to the town, the venture was not repeated and Dawlish races disappeared from the National Hunt fixture after just one official meeting.
Despite the apparent enthusiasm with which the event was received, and perhaps because of the bad elements attracted to the town, the venture was not repeated and Dawlish races disappeared from the National Hunt fixture after just one official meeting.
Albert enjoyed his most successful year in 1908 with 19 winners. They included a treble at Newton Abbot on May 7, winning the Brookside Hunters’ Hurdle on Old Kildare, the Wolborough Selling Chase on Tenby, and the Ugbrooke Handicap Hurdle on Swagger.
Albert enjoyed his most successful year in 1908 with 19 winners. They included a treble at Newton Abbot on May 7, winning the Brookside Hunters’ Hurdle on Old Kildare, the Wolborough Selling Chase on Tenby, and the Ugbrooke Handicap Hurdle on Swagger.
Albert was a jockey to follow around the tight Newton Abbot circuit, riding a total of 24 winners there during his career. But it was on the Isle of Wight’s racecourse at Ashey that he achieved his last victory, winning the Ashey Hurdle by four lengths on evens favourite Redman. Redman was also his final ride, finishing unplaced in the Berkshire Selling Handicap Hurdle at Newbury on March 17, 1915.
Albert was a jockey to follow around the tight Newton Abbot circuit, riding a total of 24 winners there during his career. But it was on the Isle of Wight’s racecourse at Ashey that he achieved his last victory, winning the Ashey Hurdle by four lengths on evens favourite Redman. Redman was also his final ride, finishing unplaced in the Berkshire Selling Handicap Hurdle at Newbury on March 17, 1915.
Albert's treble at Newton Abbot. May 17, 1908. Old Kildare, Tenby & Swagger
Albert's treble at Newton Abbot. May 17, 1908. Old Kildare, Tenby & Swagger