Walter Brownlee

Walter Brownlee was born in Stockton-on-Tees around 1900. He served his apprenticeship with Major William Renwick at Richmond, Yorkshire. His apprenticeship was interrupted by World War One, in which he became a driver for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. 

When the war ended, having failed to ride a winner in Britain, Walter departed for Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and first became noticed when riding in officers’ races there. He went on to ride successfully and finished second in the Ceylon jockeys table in 1922 with 15 winners.

He returned to England in February 1924, weighing 7st 1lb and hoping to secure a few mounts in the forthcoming season. He was granted a licence and appeared for the first time at Ayr on April 5, 1924. His mount, Clara B, finished sixth of the 14 runners in the Stewards’ Selling Handicap. 

Seven days later he got off the mark when Ald Lang Syne, owned and trained by leading northern amateur rider Adam Scott, won the Bogside Handicap Plate at that course. The even-money favourite, Karelia, ridden by Harry Wragg, could only finish third. Less than a year later, Adam Scott was killed in a fall at Kelso.

Walter doubled his score for the season when 7-2 favourite Last Crag took the White Lodge Selling Handicap at Haydock on May 24 by five lengths. 

He had over 20 rides that year but was not seen in Britain again until 1929, presumably having returned to ply his trade in Ceylon, or elsewhere. He had nearly 40 rides in 1929 but managed only one more victory, when Happy Gazelle won the Wolverton Welter Handicap at his home course of Stockton on April 27, beating Gordon Richards on Helvetic. 

His last ride in England was on May 23, 1929 at Manchester when Irish Chance finished seventh of the ten runners in the Stalybridge Selling Welter Handicap, the winner being Chris Adley on the 7-4 favourite Nuxford, who survived an objection to keep the race.

Walter Brownlee’s British winners were, in chronological order:

1. Ald Lang Syne, Bogside, April 12, 1924

2. Last Crag, Haydock Park, May 24, 1924

3. Happy Gazelle, Stockton, April 27, 1929