Alfred Linegar

Alfred Linegar

Article by Alan Trout

Born in 1896. Alfred Linegar had well over 100 rides over the course of two seasons at the end of the 1920s, winning nine races. 

His first ride under National Hunt rules was at Fontwell Park on October 10, 1928, when Aim High, also making his debut over obstacles, finished third in the Eartham Novices’ Hurdle. Less than a month later, on November 5, he gained his first success, when Flyline won the Juvenile Selling Hurdle at Wye, beating Disposition, the mount of Tony Escott, by a neck. 

His second winner may not have been that spectacular but the quality of jockeys who followed him home when Ballyrag landed the Trespasser Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield Park on February 9, 1929, is hard to surpass. Beaten five lengths into second place was Beau du Ghent, ridden by champion jockey Billy Stott; in third was Grandene, the mount of former champion jockey Fred ‘Dick’ Rees; while down the field was Toreador, ridden by Billy Speck, one of the best jockeys never to be crowned champion – he was runner-up six times. 

Alfred registered seven wins in the 1929/30 season, the last coming at Newport on May 24 when Star Boy won the Priory Novices’ Hurdle, beating Harpooner, partnered by Dick Matthews, by three lengths. 

Sadly, he could not add a tenth winner, his final ride being on Wait And See, who finished unplaced in a field of 26 for the Pirbright Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park on October 20, 1932.

Alfred Linegar’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Flyline, Wye, November 5, 1928

2. Ballyrag, Lingfield Park, February 9, 1929

3. Final Choice, Wye, October 14, 1929

4. Tower Hill, Nottingham, October 28, 1929

5. Tower Hill, Hawthorn Hill, November 21, 1929

6. Polyphonia, Hawthorn Hill, November 22, 1929

7. Hard Court, Newbury, November 27, 1929

8. Hard Court, Newbury, December 28, 1929

9. Star Boy, Newport, May 24, 1930