Albert Garnett

1903 - 1982

Article by Chas Hammond

Albert Garnett was born in Hull on February 26, 1903. He was apprenticed to Harvey Leader at Newmarket and rode his first winner on Church History at Newmarket on May 9, 1919. He went on to be crowned champion apprentice in 1920.

He had a successful end to the 1919 campaign, his wins including the Birmingham Handicap on Jupiter, and one on each of the last two days at Manchester season-ending fixture in November. Albert enjoyed a good month in May 1920, riding two winners at both the Chester and York meetings and landing the Haydock Park Handicap on Dola.

In 1921 he went to ride in South Africa and did well there. He also enjoyed success in Belgium and in Ireland. However, he found it tough going upon returning to England. Unable to re-establish his career on the Flat, he rode over jumps in 1927 and 1928, riding his last two winners in that discipline before retiring from the saddle.

He then went into a harness business which, sadly, was not a success. He didn’t thrive and apparently died in Cambridge in 1982.