In the late 1960s, no one's potential matched that of Alexander Macfarlane Barclay's, who had future champion jockey written all over him.
Born on June 13, 1948, in Ayr, Scotland, he was on the backs of ponies at the age of three and, by eight, he was out riding to the hounds. His meteoric rise to fame began in the Cree Lodge racing stables of Harry Whiteman, Ayr.
He first rode in public April 3, 1965 at Ayr (Indian Style); a month later he kicked home his first winner - Saronis, at Hamilton. In July that year he rode his first double, the owner of one of the horses, Secretive, being Charles Carlow, brother-in-law to Noel Murless.
Carlow immediately recognised Barclay's natural, outstanding talent, and recommended him to Murless. Barclay joined forces with Murless in 1966, his first ride for the stable coming at Goodwood in that July. He was champion apprentice that year with 71 winners, including the Manchester November Handicap on Polish Warrior; two years later he booted home 116 winners, his best-ever total. This was also the season he rode his first classic winner - Caergwrle in the One Thousand Guineas.
1968 was another good year. Barclay, now riding as Murless' number one jockey, won the Eclipse, the Coronation Cup, the Prince of Wales' Stakes and the King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Royal Palace.
Then, for no apparent reason, everything changed.
At the end of the 1970 season, he was replaced by Geoff Lewis. This resulted in him going to France where, for the next couple of seasons, he rode for the Francis Boutin stable. The family lived at Apartment 4, Du Parc, Chaffour, 60, Chantilly, Oise.
He returned to Britain in 1973, riding for Sam Hall in the North. In 1976 he became first jockey to Denys Smith. The very next year he broke his knee in two which put him out of racing for six months.
Having recovered, he tried his luck in India, riding for John Ciechanowski who was one of Sheikh Mohammed's trainers. Returning to Britain in 1983, he rode just six winners, his first successes in Britain since 1976.
In that year he also married Miranda. She gave him three children - Iona, Alexander and India.
He finally quit riding in 1990 after a 26-year career.
The family lived in a converted rectory at Blexhall in Suffolk. Its large grounds were also home to a variety of ponies, dogs, horses, cats and various other pets.
Barclay became involved with the language school for foreign students which Miranda organised.
Sandy Barclay died in Newmarket of cancer of the oesophagus and upper lungs on Saturday, February 20, 2021, aged 72. His wife, son and daughter were with him when he passed away.
His father, James Barclay, was a leading amateur jockey. James died in 1991.
Sandy's height was 5 ft 3 ins.
Classic winners:
One Thousand Guineas: Caegwrle (1968)
Oaks: Lupe (1970)
Irish Oaks: Celina (1968)
Other big wins include:
1966: Lanark Silver Bell – Parcel Post
1966: Portland Handicap – Audrey Joan
1966: November Handicap – Polish Warrior
1967: November Handicap – Bugle Boy
1968: Nell Gwyn Stakes – Abbie West
1968: Cheshire Oaks – Hardiesse
1968: Ormonde Stakes – Hopeful Venture
1968: Coronation Cup – Royal Palace
1968: Queen Anne Stakes – Virginia Gentleman
1968: Prince of Wales Stakes – Royal Palace
1968: King Edward VII Stakes – Connaught
1968: Windsor Castle Stakes – Hippiana
1968: Hardwicke Stakes – Hopeful Venture
1968: Eclipse Stakes – Royal Palace
1968: King George Vl & Queen Elizabeth Stakes – Royal Palace
1968: Nassau Stakes – Hill Shade
1968: Great Voltigeur Stakes – Connaught
1969: Lincoln Handicap – Foggy Bell
1969: Craven Stakes – Paddy’s Progress
1969: Free Handicap – Welsh Pageant
1969: Fred Darling Stakes – Sea Lavender
1969: Musidora Stakes – Lovers Lane
1969: Queen’s Vase – Tantivy
1969: July Stakes – Huntercombe
1969: Northern Goldsmith’s Handicap – Welsh Pageant
1969: Champagne Stakes – Saintly Song
1969: Royal Lodge Stakes – Domineering
1969: Cornwallis Stakes – Huntercombe
1970: Lincoln Handicap – New Chapter
1970: Nell Gwyn Stakes – Obelisk
1970: Victoria Cup – Welsh Pageant
1970: Chester Vase – Politico
1970: Cheshire Oaks – Lupe
1970: Yorkshire Cup – Rangong
1970: Lockinge Stakes – Welsh Pageant
1970: Henry II Stakes – Chicago
1970: Coronation Cup – Caliban
1970: Queen Anne Stakes – Welsh Pageant
1970: Prince of Wales Stakes – Connaught
1970: St James’s Palace Stakes – Saintly Song
1970: Ribblesdale Stakes – Parmelia
1970: Eclipse Stakes – Connaught
1970: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Prince Consort
1970: July Cup – Huntercombe
1970: Nunthorpe Stakes – Huntercombe
1970: Yorkshire Oaks – Lupe
1970: Park Hill Stakes – Parmelia
1970: Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – Welsh Pageant
1970: Cheveley Park Stakes – Magic Flute
1971: Prince of Wales Stakes – Connaught
1975: Ebor Handicap – Dakota
1976: Carlisle Bell – Prince of Light
