Christened John Alfred Aylin but known by his second name, Alfred Aylin was born in New Cross, London, in 1875, the oldest of four jockey brothers, the others being Arthur, Harry and Clyde.
He rode in Ireland for three seasons from 1895 to 1897, winning the 1896 Irish Derby on Gulsalberk, one of a select band of jockeys to win the race at their first attempt.
He also won the 1897 Irish Oaks on Dabchick and finished second in that year’s Irish Derby on White Hackle.
Rising weight obliged Alf to return to England at the end of 1897 and forge a new career over fences. His brother Clyde later followed him to Ireland and emulated Alf by winning the Irish Derby in 1906 on Killeagh. Clyde also became Irish champion jockey in 1922, the year of his death.
Alf plied his trade as a jump jockey for several years and finished third in the 1915 Grand National on Father Confessor.
He died in 1958.
