Alan Flood
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
The south-west jump jockey had begun his career as an amateur rider, notching his first winner on a nine-year-old handicap hurdler named Picayune at Buckfastleigh’s final meeting under National Hunt rules on August 27, 1960.
The south-west jump jockey had begun his career as an amateur rider, notching his first winner on a nine-year-old handicap hurdler named Picayune at Buckfastleigh’s final meeting under National Hunt rules on August 27, 1960.
Picayune was trained by permit holder John Klinkenberg, who combined training with farming and running a riding stable at Ilsington, near Newton Abbot. Klinkenberg had ridden Picayune four times unplaced in the first fortnight of the season but invariably had to put up several pounds overweight, being unable to ride at less than 11st 7lb. When he handed over the reins to Alan, the transformation was dramatic, for Picayune went on to win five of his next six starts – at five different courses, beginning with a 20/1 shock victory at Buckfastleigh – all with Alan on board, getting his rider’s career off to a flying start. He rode just one more winner that season, Weensland Lad in the Totnes Hunters’ Chase at Newton Abbot in May 1961.
Picayune was trained by permit holder John Klinkenberg, who combined training with farming and running a riding stable at Ilsington, near Newton Abbot. Klinkenberg had ridden Picayune four times unplaced in the first fortnight of the season but invariably had to put up several pounds overweight, being unable to ride at less than 11st 7lb. When he handed over the reins to Alan, the transformation was dramatic, for Picayune went on to win five of his next six starts – at five different courses, beginning with a 20/1 shock victory at Buckfastleigh – all with Alan on board, getting his rider’s career off to a flying start. He rode just one more winner that season, Weensland Lad in the Totnes Hunters’ Chase at Newton Abbot in May 1961.
Buoyed by his early success, Alan turned professional the following season, 1961/62, and rode a respectable eight winners, all for small local trainers or permit holders. However, his score halved to four the following season and halved again to just two in the one after that.
Buoyed by his early success, Alan turned professional the following season, 1961/62, and rode a respectable eight winners, all for small local trainers or permit holders. However, his score halved to four the following season and halved again to just two in the one after that.
Newton Abbot trainer-rider Billy Williams put Alan up on an early season winner at Newton Abbot at the commencement of the 1964/65 campaign. His next winner was on a three-year-old novice hurdler named Balus Boy at Taunton for another local permit holder. His third winner that term came on the veteran selling chaser Soudox in late January 1965 for Billy Williams.
Newton Abbot trainer-rider Billy Williams put Alan up on an early season winner at Newton Abbot at the commencement of the 1964/65 campaign. His next winner was on a three-year-old novice hurdler named Balus Boy at Taunton for another local permit holder. His third winner that term came on the veteran selling chaser Soudox in late January 1965 for Billy Williams.
Though only just turned four, Balus Boy made his chasing debut at Plumpton on January 10, 1965, falling at the first fence, ridden on that occasion by 7lb claiming Neil Kernick. Alan rode a horse for Billy Williams, Sialettar, in the same race and also fell, getting injured in the process.
Though only just turned four, Balus Boy made his chasing debut at Plumpton on January 10, 1965, falling at the first fence, ridden on that occasion by 7lb claiming Neil Kernick. Alan rode a horse for Billy Williams, Sialettar, in the same race and also fell, getting injured in the process.
Undaunted by his first fence exit, Balus Boy’s owner-trainer entered him to run at Taunton three days later, February 13, 1965. Alan would have had the mount but was out of action following his Plumpton fall, so a 35-year-old 5lb claimer named Trevor Pink accepted the spare ride. Balus Boy fell again, Pink received serious head injuries and was rushed to hospital, where he died the following morning.
Undaunted by his first fence exit, Balus Boy’s owner-trainer entered him to run at Taunton three days later, February 13, 1965. Alan would have had the mount but was out of action following his Plumpton fall, so a 35-year-old 5lb claimer named Trevor Pink accepted the spare ride. Balus Boy fell again, Pink received serious head injuries and was rushed to hospital, where he died the following morning.
Alan Flood rode no more winners and hung up his boots and saddle at the end of that season. His final rides appear to have been at Newton Abbot on Easter Monday, April 19, 1965, the last being on King Arthur, who finished fourth in a maiden hurdle.
Alan Flood rode no more winners and hung up his boots and saddle at the end of that season. His final rides appear to have been at Newton Abbot on Easter Monday, April 19, 1965, the last being on King Arthur, who finished fourth in a maiden hurdle.
Alan Flood’s winners were, in chronological order:
Alan Flood’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Picayune at Buckfastleigh, August 27, 1960
1. Picayune at Buckfastleigh, August 27, 1960
2. Picayune, Newton Abbot, August 31, 1960
2. Picayune, Newton Abbot, August 31, 1960
3. Picayune, Devon & Exeter on September 8, 1960
3. Picayune, Devon & Exeter on September 8, 1960
4. Picayune, Taunton, October 8, 1960
4. Picayune, Taunton, October 8, 1960
5. Picayune, Wincanton, November 2, 1960
5. Picayune, Wincanton, November 2, 1960
6. Weensland Lad, Newton Abbot, May 13, 1961
6. Weensland Lad, Newton Abbot, May 13, 1961
7. Soudox, Devon & Exeter, August 24, 1961
7. Soudox, Devon & Exeter, August 24, 1961
8. Weensland Lad, Newton Abbot, September 22, 1961
8. Weensland Lad, Newton Abbot, September 22, 1961
9. Weensland Lad, Taunton, October 7, 1961
9. Weensland Lad, Taunton, October 7, 1961
10. Pharamineux II, Wincanton, April 5, 1962
10. Pharamineux II, Wincanton, April 5, 1962
11. Honey Harvest, Newton Abbot, April 21, 1962
11. Honey Harvest, Newton Abbot, April 21, 1962
12. Cash, Newton Abbot, May 25, 1962
12. Cash, Newton Abbot, May 25, 1962
13. Pharamineux II, Newton Abbot, May 26, 1962
13. Pharamineux II, Newton Abbot, May 26, 1962
14. Birthday Present, Devon & Exeter, June 11, 1962
14. Birthday Present, Devon & Exeter, June 11, 1962
15. Devon Orchid, Taunton, November 10, 1962
15. Devon Orchid, Taunton, November 10, 1962
16. Devon Orchid, Newton Abbot, April 15, 1963
16. Devon Orchid, Newton Abbot, April 15, 1963
17. Magnopere, Taunton, April 18, 1963
17. Magnopere, Taunton, April 18, 1963
18. Just Liz, Newton Abbot, June 4, 1963
18. Just Liz, Newton Abbot, June 4, 1963
19. Golden Forest, Taunton, March 14, 1964
19. Golden Forest, Taunton, March 14, 1964
20. Weensland Lad, Newton Abbot, March 28, 1964
20. Weensland Lad, Newton Abbot, March 28, 1964
21. Flying Steel, Newton Abbot, August 26, 1964
21. Flying Steel, Newton Abbot, August 26, 1964
22. Balus Boy, Taunton, November 28, 1964
22. Balus Boy, Taunton, November 28, 1964
23. Soudox, Windsor, January 29, 1965
23. Soudox, Windsor, January 29, 1965