Alex Langham
Alexander Langham, from Thornaby-on-Sea, was apprenticed to R. W. Armstrong in 1905. One early winner which gave him great pleasure was Peterston in the 1909 Stockton Handicap, run on the course within a stone's throw of his home.
Alexander Langham, from Thornaby-on-Sea, was apprenticed to R. W. Armstrong in 1905. One early winner which gave him great pleasure was Peterston in the 1909 Stockton Handicap, run on the course within a stone's throw of his home.
Alexander rode many winners in this country before going to Italy in 1911, where he became champion jockey.
Alexander rode many winners in this country before going to Italy in 1911, where he became champion jockey.
In 1914 he accepted a month's engagement to ride in Austria for Baron de Rothschild: during that fatal month the first world war broke out, and Alexander was interned throughout its duration, returning home in 1919.
In 1914 he accepted a month's engagement to ride in Austria for Baron de Rothschild: during that fatal month the first world war broke out, and Alexander was interned throughout its duration, returning home in 1919.
By then he had become far too heavy to continue his career as a jockey; he went into the steelworks at his home on Teesside before starting a riding school at Thornaby with ex-jockey Maiden.
By then he had become far too heavy to continue his career as a jockey; he went into the steelworks at his home on Teesside before starting a riding school at Thornaby with ex-jockey Maiden.