Alexander Heard
Alexander Heard
Alexander Heard
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
National Hunt jockey Alexander Heard rode four winners in 1907 and one in 1908, returning more than a decade later to add seven more between 1921 and 1924.
National Hunt jockey Alexander Heard rode four winners in 1907 and one in 1908, returning more than a decade later to add seven more between 1921 and 1924.
He made the perfect start to his career by winning on his first ride in public. At Uttoxeter on October 17, 1907, his mount Rampart won the Hartington Chase. The four-year-old was owned by successful amateur rider Adam Scott, who had ridden him three times that year without being placed.
He made the perfect start to his career by winning on his first ride in public. At Uttoxeter on October 17, 1907, his mount Rampart won the Hartington Chase. The four-year-old was owned by successful amateur rider Adam Scott, who had ridden him three times that year without being placed.
Rampart won by two lengths, scoring again under Alexander over the same course the following day when beating two rivals to claim the Byrkley Lodge Chase. Bob Wall, beaten six lengths on the runner-up Mystic Circle, objected to the winner on the grounds of ‘crossing and boring’ but this was overruled, giving Alexander his second winner.
Rampart won by two lengths, scoring again under Alexander over the same course the following day when beating two rivals to claim the Byrkley Lodge Chase. Bob Wall, beaten six lengths on the runner-up Mystic Circle, objected to the winner on the grounds of ‘crossing and boring’ but this was overruled, giving Alexander his second winner.
He then rode a double at Hawthorn Hill in November, including another success on Rampart in the Windsor Chase. Despite that promising start, Alexander had only one win the following year.
He then rode a double at Hawthorn Hill in November, including another success on Rampart in the Windsor Chase. Despite that promising start, Alexander had only one win the following year.
In April 1908 he finished unplaced on Loch Ken in the Scottish Grand National and on Rampart in the West of Scotland Handicap Chase at Bogside. Although he held a licence until 1911, he was not seen in the winner’s enclosure again until after the First World War.
In April 1908 he finished unplaced on Loch Ken in the Scottish Grand National and on Rampart in the West of Scotland Handicap Chase at Bogside. Although he held a licence until 1911, he was not seen in the winner’s enclosure again until after the First World War.
His second ride in the Scottish Grand National ended in a fall from Lady Passmore in 1922. The same fate befell him on Fitzrush in the Stanley Chase the same year, his only attempt over the fearsome Liverpool fences.
His second ride in the Scottish Grand National ended in a fall from Lady Passmore in 1922. The same fate befell him on Fitzrush in the Stanley Chase the same year, his only attempt over the fearsome Liverpool fences.
He lost his right to claim an allowance when riding his tenth winner, Command at Uttoxeter on May 9, 1922. He ended the year by winning on Dutch Doll at Sedgefield on Boxing Day.
He lost his right to claim an allowance when riding his tenth winner, Command at Uttoxeter on May 9, 1922. He ended the year by winning on Dutch Doll at Sedgefield on Boxing Day.
Following a blank year in 1923, his last win came on New Year’s Day 1924, when Happy won the Castle Selling Hurdle at Manchester, just three days after finishing unplaced at Newbury. The six-year-old was sold at the post-race auction, so Alexander had no further chances on him. His final ride ended when Royal Wedding refused in the Tredegar Handicap hurdle at Newport on April 10, 1924.
Following a blank year in 1923, his last win came on New Year’s Day 1924, when Happy won the Castle Selling Hurdle at Manchester, just three days after finishing unplaced at Newbury. The six-year-old was sold at the post-race auction, so Alexander had no further chances on him. His final ride ended when Royal Wedding refused in the Tredegar Handicap hurdle at Newport on April 10, 1924.
Alexander Heard’s British wins were, in chronological order:
Alexander Heard’s British wins were, in chronological order:
1. Rampart, Uttoxeter, October 17, 1907
1. Rampart, Uttoxeter, October 17, 1907
2. Rampart, Uttoxeter, October 18, 1907
2. Rampart, Uttoxeter, October 18, 1907
3. Perigeux, Hawthorn Hill, November 5, 1907
3. Perigeux, Hawthorn Hill, November 5, 1907
4. Rampart, Hawthorn Hill, November 5, 1907
4. Rampart, Hawthorn Hill, November 5, 1907
5. Kenley, Leicester, March 3, 1908
5. Kenley, Leicester, March 3, 1908
6. Thornton III, Hexham, May 14, 1921
6. Thornton III, Hexham, May 14, 1921
7. Hectic, Hexham, May 15, 1921
7. Hectic, Hexham, May 15, 1921
8. Command, Kelso, May 24, 1921
8. Command, Kelso, May 24, 1921
9. Harrimsmith, Rothbury, April 12, 1922
9. Harrimsmith, Rothbury, April 12, 1922
10. Command, Uttoxeter, May 9, 1922
10. Command, Uttoxeter, May 9, 1922
11. Dutch Doll, Sedgefield, December 26, 1922
11. Dutch Doll, Sedgefield, December 26, 1922
12. Happy, Manchester, January 1, 1924
12. Happy, Manchester, January 1, 1924
Alex's double on November 5 1907
Alex's double on November 5 1907