The son of an ostler, he was born at Colchester on October 2, 1857 and, on September 21, 1869, became apprenticed to Alec Taylor, having entered his services a month previously. His debut mount was Decoration at Stockbridge in 1874 in which he wore the scarlet jacket of Mr Crawford. He was unplaced. He had other rides that season but failed to win.
Alma registered his first victory the following spring: having finished second on Decoration behind Thunder in the Great Warwickshire Spring Handicap, he rode Manton in the Flying Handicap Sweepstakes at the First Spring Meeting at Newmarket and won easily. Then, riding at Royal Ascot for the first time, he finished unplaced on Decoration in the Royal Hunt Cup. His second win came at Windsor on Simon in the Windsor Handicap.
Later, at the Newmarket July Meeting, he rode a very fine race on Inglemere to win the Third Welter. He rode 10 winners in 1875. One came at the September Meeting at Warwick when he won the Leamington Stakes on old friend Simon. Inglemere was made favourite for Doncaster's Cleveland Handicap, but despite Alma's best efforts, ran unplaced.
Alma also finished nowhere in the Portland Plate. He then partnered Royal George in the Cesarewitch, but the horse ran disappointingly. Alma finished the season at Warwick, where each of his nine mounts failed to gain a place.
When Alma Cook had first begun as a stable lad, he was able to ride at 5st 7lb. Unfortunately, though still a young man, his weight was rocketing - he had gained over a stone since the commencement of the season. A long-term career in the saddle was always going to be a struggle after that.
