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Alan Green
Alan Green
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Born 1932, Alan Derek Green rode two winners on the Flat but enjoyed far greater success over jumps with 16 wins between 1952 and 1957. Apprenticed to Epsom trainer Staff Ingham, Alan had his first success when Bardsey took the Hampton Court Selling Handicap at Hurst Park on July 27, 1951. It was the only time he rode the three-year-old, who was running his last race. Just ten days later, he doubled his score when Baladorius, trained like Bardsey by Staff Ingham, won the Sprinters’ Selling Handicap at Wolverhampton on August Bank Holiday Monday.
Born 1932, Alan Derek Green rode two winners on the Flat but enjoyed far greater success over jumps with 16 wins between 1952 and 1957. Apprenticed to Epsom trainer Staff Ingham, Alan had his first success when Bardsey took the Hampton Court Selling Handicap at Hurst Park on July 27, 1951. It was the only time he rode the three-year-old, who was running his last race. Just ten days later, he doubled his score when Baladorius, trained like Bardsey by Staff Ingham, won the Sprinters’ Selling Handicap at Wolverhampton on August Bank Holiday Monday.
He had no more winners on the Flat and it may have been rising weight that convinced him to go over jumps. He was having only his second ride on the three-year-old Happy Ruler, also trained by Staff Ingham, when winning the Ferring Novices’ Hurdle at Fontwell Park by two lengths on November 5, 1952, giving him his first success under National Hunt rules.
He had no more winners on the Flat and it may have been rising weight that convinced him to go over jumps. He was having only his second ride on the three-year-old Happy Ruler, also trained by Staff Ingham, when winning the Ferring Novices’ Hurdle at Fontwell Park by two lengths on November 5, 1952, giving him his first success under National Hunt rules.
A full year elapsed before his second jumps win, but when it came it was arguably his best riding performance, when steering Neasdon Lane to land the Esher Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park, with hurdle race specialist Harry Sprague only a neck behind on Eynsford, Dick Francis another neck further away in third on Oscar, and Bryan Marshall, Johnny Gilbert and Johnny Bullock among the also-rans.
A full year elapsed before his second jumps win, but when it came it was arguably his best riding performance, when steering Neasdon Lane to land the Esher Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park, with hurdle race specialist Harry Sprague only a neck behind on Eynsford, Dick Francis another neck further away in third on Oscar, and Bryan Marshall, Johnny Gilbert and Johnny Bullock among the also-rans.
Thereafter, Alan rode the occasional winner, recording five in both 1953/54 and 1954/55, all over hurdles, mostly for Epsom-based trainers, including three in a row on Grecian Prince. He did have one big race ride, when partnering the four-year-old Marston Magna in the 1954 Imperial Cup, but they finished unplaced in a field of 26.
Thereafter, Alan rode the occasional winner, recording five in both 1953/54 and 1954/55, all over hurdles, mostly for Epsom-based trainers, including three in a row on Grecian Prince. He did have one big race ride, when partnering the four-year-old Marston Magna in the 1954 Imperial Cup, but they finished unplaced in a field of 26.
His last win was on Rough, which won the Novices’ Hurdle (Division II) at Wye on March 4, 1957.
His last win was on Rough, which won the Novices’ Hurdle (Division II) at Wye on March 4, 1957.
Alan Green’s winners were, in chronological order:
Alan Green’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Bardsey, Hurst Park, July 27, 1951
1. Bardsey, Hurst Park, July 27, 1951
2. Beladorius, Wolverhampton, August 6, 1951
2. Beladorius, Wolverhampton, August 6, 1951
3. Happy Ruler, Fontwell Park, November 5, 1952
3. Happy Ruler, Fontwell Park, November 5, 1952
4. Neasdon Lane, Sandown Park, November 21, 1953
4. Neasdon Lane, Sandown Park, November 21, 1953
5. Eightsome, Lingfield Park, December 4, 1953
5. Eightsome, Lingfield Park, December 4, 1953
6. Francette, Newton Abbot, December 26, 1953
6. Francette, Newton Abbot, December 26, 1953
7. Sassanian Monarch, Wolverhampton, December 28, 1953
7. Sassanian Monarch, Wolverhampton, December 28, 1953
8. Sassanian Monarch, Sandown Park, January 16, 1954
8. Sassanian Monarch, Sandown Park, January 16, 1954
9. Grecian Prince, Fontwell Park, October 5, 1954
9. Grecian Prince, Fontwell Park, October 5, 1954
10. Grecian Prince, Sandown Park, December 15, 1954
10. Grecian Prince, Sandown Park, December 15, 1954
11. Grecian Prince, Newbury, January 22, 1955
11. Grecian Prince, Newbury, January 22, 1955
12. Falk, Towcester, May 30, 1955
12. Falk, Towcester, May 30, 1955
13. Snowdon, Wye, October 17, 1955
13. Snowdon, Wye, October 17, 1955
14. Rocamadour, Wincanton, November 5, 1955
14. Rocamadour, Wincanton, November 5, 1955
15. Snowdon, Wye, March 19, 1956
15. Snowdon, Wye, March 19, 1956
16. Rodgers II, Plumpton, September 26, 1956
16. Rodgers II, Plumpton, September 26, 1956
17. Rodgers II, Wye, October 1, 1956
17. Rodgers II, Wye, October 1, 1956
18. Rough, Wye, March 4, 1957
18. Rough, Wye, March 4, 1957
18-year-old Alan rode a confident race to win. There was a plunge on Bardsey from 2-1 to 4-6 and those who had backed him never had an anxious moment. Alan, then, could not go to scale at less than 8st. 5lb. He eventually switched to riding over the sticks. NB: Lester Piggott finished unplaced in this race.
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