Alvin Hill
Alvin Hill brings Troilus home a long-looking three lengths clear in the Apprentices' Handicap at Lincoln, the first race of the 1960 Flat seaso
Alvin and Troilus entering the winner's enclosure following the first race of the 1960 Flat season.
Alvin Hill was apprenticed to trainer Walter Wharton, who was at that time based at Wetherby. He rode his first winner at York on October 9, 1957 aboard 25-1 outsider Appilow, who dead-heated with Eddie Larkin’s mount Statfold in a dramatic race for the five-furlong Chesterfield Welter Handicap. Alvin and Appilow led practically throughout but were caught in the last stride by Larkin’s mount, with four others hard on their heels. Seldom had the Knavesmire witnessed a closer finish, with little more than half a length separating the first six, the distances being: dead-heat, short-head, neck, neck, head. That was Alvin’s sole success from 33 mounts that year.
Alvin Hill was apprenticed to trainer Walter Wharton, who was at that time based at Wetherby. He rode his first winner at York on October 9, 1957 aboard 25-1 outsider Appilow, who dead-heated with Eddie Larkin’s mount Statfold in a dramatic race for the five-furlong Chesterfield Welter Handicap. Alvin and Appilow led practically throughout but were caught in the last stride by Larkin’s mount, with four others hard on their heels. Seldom had the Knavesmire witnessed a closer finish, with little more than half a length separating the first six, the distances being: dead-heat, short-head, neck, neck, head. That was Alvin’s sole success from 33 mounts that year.
His second success was gained in less dramatic circumstances, taking the lead three furlongs out on 6-1 joint-favourite Troilus and coming home three lengths clear in the Apprentices’ Handicap at Lincoln on March 21, 1960, the first race of the new Flat season.
His second success was gained in less dramatic circumstances, taking the lead three furlongs out on 6-1 joint-favourite Troilus and coming home three lengths clear in the Apprentices’ Handicap at Lincoln on March 21, 1960, the first race of the new Flat season.
All bar two of Alvin’s 17 rivals that day claimed a 5lb allowance for not having ridden more than four winners, the exceptions being Des Cullen, who was placed fourth, and Hungarian-born Albert Klimscha, who finished ninth. Among the ‘also rans’ was 20-1 outsider Mighty Atom, an early race-riding opportunity for a young Willie Carson, who was still more than two years away from recording his first winner.
All bar two of Alvin’s 17 rivals that day claimed a 5lb allowance for not having ridden more than four winners, the exceptions being Des Cullen, who was placed fourth, and Hungarian-born Albert Klimscha, who finished ninth. Among the ‘also rans’ was 20-1 outsider Mighty Atom, an early race-riding opportunity for a young Willie Carson, who was still more than two years away from recording his first winner.
Alvin thus became leading jockey for half an hour until Scobie Breasley joined him by winning the next race. By the end of the afternoon, Eddie Larkin, Stan Smith, Edward Hide and Eph Smith had each ridden one winner to share the lead with Alvin and Scobie. When Eph Smith landed the Brocklesby Stakes on 7-4 favourite Indian Lad on the second day of the meeting, he went to the top of the table, a position he strengthened the following day by winning the Lincoln Two-Year-Old Plate on the odds-on shot Treasure Hunt. Half an hour later, Eph narrowly failed to extend his lead further when finishing second on Major General in the Lincolnshire Handicap, beaten by the well-backed Mustavon, partnered by Norman McIntosh.
Alvin thus became leading jockey for half an hour until Scobie Breasley joined him by winning the next race. By the end of the afternoon, Eddie Larkin, Stan Smith, Edward Hide and Eph Smith had each ridden one winner to share the lead with Alvin and Scobie. When Eph Smith landed the Brocklesby Stakes on 7-4 favourite Indian Lad on the second day of the meeting, he went to the top of the table, a position he strengthened the following day by winning the Lincoln Two-Year-Old Plate on the odds-on shot Treasure Hunt. Half an hour later, Eph narrowly failed to extend his lead further when finishing second on Major General in the Lincolnshire Handicap, beaten by the well-backed Mustavon, partnered by Norman McIntosh.
That opening day Lincoln success was Alvin’s only one from two dozen rides that season. He made just one more visit to the winner’s enclosure, guiding the Reg Hollinshead-trained Ballymiss to a comfortable one-length victory in the Palatine Apprentice Handicap at Liverpool on June 29, 1961.
That opening day Lincoln success was Alvin’s only one from two dozen rides that season. He made just one more visit to the winner’s enclosure, guiding the Reg Hollinshead-trained Ballymiss to a comfortable one-length victory in the Palatine Apprentice Handicap at Liverpool on June 29, 1961.
Troilus, meanwhile, had repeated his success in the Apprentice’ Handicap at Lincoln on the opening day of the Flat season, bestowing his young rider Eric Alston with the honour of being leading jockey for the first half-hour of the 1961 campaign.
Troilus, meanwhile, had repeated his success in the Apprentice’ Handicap at Lincoln on the opening day of the Flat season, bestowing his young rider Eric Alston with the honour of being leading jockey for the first half-hour of the 1961 campaign.
As for Alvin Hill, he took out a National Hunt jockey’s licence for the 1962/63 season and had a few rides over hurdles but without troubling the judge.
As for Alvin Hill, he took out a National Hunt jockey’s licence for the 1962/63 season and had a few rides over hurdles but without troubling the judge.
He is not to be confused with Alec Frederick Charles Hill who took out his NH licence in 1964/65 and rode for five seasons but did not ride a winner.
He is not to be confused with Alec Frederick Charles Hill who took out his NH licence in 1964/65 and rode for five seasons but did not ride a winner.
Alvin Hill’s winners were, in chronological order.
Alvin Hill’s winners were, in chronological order.
1. Appilow, York, October 9, 1957 (dead-heat)
1. Appilow, York, October 9, 1957 (dead-heat)
2. Troilus, Lincoln, March 21, 1960
2. Troilus, Lincoln, March 21, 1960
3. Ballymiss, Liverpool, June 29, 1961
3. Ballymiss, Liverpool, June 29, 1961