Alan David Brown was born at Newcastle on November 2, 1954, and served his time with Ian Jordan.
Alan learned to ride on a carthorse which pulled a coal wagon.
It was four years before he rode his first winner: Anna's Prince at Teeside Park on November 16, 1976.
Injury-wise, he was lucky - in a 15-year career from 2,000 mounts, he took less than 50 falls. His worst injury was a chipped bone in his left ankle.
He came second in the 1981 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Night Nurse. He also won the Arkle Chase twice: Clayside (1981) & Ryeman (1983).
He turned to training and became much bigger in size.
Biggest wins:
1979: Schweppes Gold Trophy - Within The Law
1979: Buchanan Whisky Gold Cup - Night Nurse
1980: Geoffrey Gilbey Memorial Handicap Chase - Bachelor Hall
1980: Racing Post Chase - Father Delaney
1980: Fighting Fifth Hurdle - Sea Pigeon
1981: Mackeson Gold Cup - Henry Kissinger
1981: Arkle Chase - Clayside
1983: Arkle Chase - Ryeman
1984: H & T Walker Goddess Handicap Chase - Cybrandian
Article courtesy Chas Hammond
