Alec McAleer
1932 - 2014
1932 - 2014
Alexander McAleer, known as 'Alec' or 'Mac', was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on March 14, 1932, but spent his childhood in Billingham-on Tees.
Alexander McAleer, known as 'Alec' or 'Mac', was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on March 14, 1932, but spent his childhood in Billingham-on Tees.
He left school aged 14 and, as he was a member of the Billingham Synthonia Boxing Club, owned by the ICI, and schoolboy boxing champion of the north of England, he was earmarked for a job with the ICI, eventually being employed as an office boy to Youth Welfare officer Bruno Davies.
He left school aged 14 and, as he was a member of the Billingham Synthonia Boxing Club, owned by the ICI, and schoolboy boxing champion of the north of England, he was earmarked for a job with the ICI, eventually being employed as an office boy to Youth Welfare officer Bruno Davies.
Alec was so unhappy at the ICI - his sole interest being in becoming a jockey - that his boss took the matter up with his Father who agreed that, should Alex fail his exams, he would allow him to go into racing.
Alec was so unhappy at the ICI - his sole interest being in becoming a jockey - that his boss took the matter up with his Father who agreed that, should Alex fail his exams, he would allow him to go into racing.
Alec, to his glee, failed by two marks, and went off to be apprenticed to Harry Kitchen for 5 shillings (25p) a week and paid for digs at 30 shillings (ÂŁ1.50).
Alec, to his glee, failed by two marks, and went off to be apprenticed to Harry Kitchen for 5 shillings (25p) a week and paid for digs at 30 shillings (ÂŁ1.50).
He remained with Harry Kitchen for 3 years and rode a number of winners, the first of which was Avocado at Pontefract in 1948, before his indentures were transferred to George Colling at Newmarket.
He remained with Harry Kitchen for 3 years and rode a number of winners, the first of which was Avocado at Pontefract in 1948, before his indentures were transferred to George Colling at Newmarket.
This move was a big mistake as there were already 3 top-class stable jockeys, Charlie Elliot, Doug Smith and Manny Mercer, and 5 apprentices, including L.G.Brown, Frank Morby and Cliff Parkes, all of whom became successful after they had moved on to others trainers following the death of George Colling.
This move was a big mistake as there were already 3 top-class stable jockeys, Charlie Elliot, Doug Smith and Manny Mercer, and 5 apprentices, including L.G.Brown, Frank Morby and Cliff Parkes, all of whom became successful after they had moved on to others trainers following the death of George Colling.
Frustration got the better of Alec and he went briefly to Jack Weymes: however, he wasn't there very long before he was called up to do National Service where he served most of his time in Egypt.
Frustration got the better of Alec and he went briefly to Jack Weymes: however, he wasn't there very long before he was called up to do National Service where he served most of his time in Egypt.
He returned to the UK in October 1954 and, after many job applications, was employed by Ronnie Robson, Gosforth Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He was told that he would get his jockey's licence on condition that he did his horses and drove the box. He rode a number of winners for the stable but after 3 years felt that it was time to move on.
He returned to the UK in October 1954 and, after many job applications, was employed by Ronnie Robson, Gosforth Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He was told that he would get his jockey's licence on condition that he did his horses and drove the box. He rode a number of winners for the stable but after 3 years felt that it was time to move on.
Buster Fenningworth, who was training at Yetholm, Roxboroughshire, made a lot of promises to Alec which never actually materialized. The only good thing that came out of the move was that he met Sheena Davidson, his future wife.
Buster Fenningworth, who was training at Yetholm, Roxboroughshire, made a lot of promises to Alec which never actually materialized. The only good thing that came out of the move was that he met Sheena Davidson, his future wife.
When Buster moved his stable to Richmond, Yorkshire, Alec went with him on a freelance basis. It gave him the opportunity to at least go to any of the Northern racecourses, which led to him being befriended by senior jockeys Alec Russell, Frankie Durr and Ted Larkin. They were always at the end of a telephone and would arrange to pick him up at Scotch Corner and take him to any race meetings where they were riding.
When Buster moved his stable to Richmond, Yorkshire, Alec went with him on a freelance basis. It gave him the opportunity to at least go to any of the Northern racecourses, which led to him being befriended by senior jockeys Alec Russell, Frankie Durr and Ted Larkin. They were always at the end of a telephone and would arrange to pick him up at Scotch Corner and take him to any race meetings where they were riding.
This eventually led to what he considered to be the greatest piece of luck that he had ever encountered. He plucked up enough courage to approach Bill Rickaby (uncle to Lester Piggott and renowned for arranging for jockeys to ride abroad) with his plight and requested some help.
This eventually led to what he considered to be the greatest piece of luck that he had ever encountered. He plucked up enough courage to approach Bill Rickaby (uncle to Lester Piggott and renowned for arranging for jockeys to ride abroad) with his plight and requested some help.
He later received a telephone call via Buster Fenningworth saying that he should go to Liverpool as there was the possibility of a job in Bombay - however, on his arrival at Liverpool, he was told that Frankie Durr had got the job.
He later received a telephone call via Buster Fenningworth saying that he should go to Liverpool as there was the possibility of a job in Bombay - however, on his arrival at Liverpool, he was told that Frankie Durr had got the job.
Then luck took a hand. Harry Greenaway came into the weighing room and announced that there was a job going in Kenya if anyone was interested.
Then luck took a hand. Harry Greenaway came into the weighing room and announced that there was a job going in Kenya if anyone was interested.
Less nudging than pushing from Bill Rickaby, after getting the details from Harry Greenaway, he successfully applied for and got the job in Kenya.
Less nudging than pushing from Bill Rickaby, after getting the details from Harry Greenaway, he successfully applied for and got the job in Kenya.
The job was with Major and Mrs Walker who had a string of about 16 horses that Alec found to be wrongly fed and under-trained. After 3 months and 12 seconds, the horses started to show form, and Alec finished the season with 24 wins.
The job was with Major and Mrs Walker who had a string of about 16 horses that Alec found to be wrongly fed and under-trained. After 3 months and 12 seconds, the horses started to show form, and Alec finished the season with 24 wins.
He was then offered a first retainer with Beryl Markham who was renowned for her brilliance at training horses but who soon tired of her jockeys.
He was then offered a first retainer with Beryl Markham who was renowned for her brilliance at training horses but who soon tired of her jockeys.
Brian Jago, Derek Stansfield and Buster Parnell were all fired after short periods for no apparent reason, so Alec was prepared to take the job at an increased retainer and percentage of prize money.
Brian Jago, Derek Stansfield and Buster Parnell were all fired after short periods for no apparent reason, so Alec was prepared to take the job at an increased retainer and percentage of prize money.
He flew back to the UK to marry Sheena.
He flew back to the UK to marry Sheena.
At his first meeting on his return, he rode 5 winners, followed, at the next meeting, by another 4.
At his first meeting on his return, he rode 5 winners, followed, at the next meeting, by another 4.
However, as mentioned earlier, it didn't last long and 5 months later, again for no apparent reason, came the inevitable.
However, as mentioned earlier, it didn't last long and 5 months later, again for no apparent reason, came the inevitable.
Jack Ellis of Kikuyu offered Alec a position as jockey/trainer and he remained there for a very successful 3 years by which time he had built up quite a large stable of horses from outside owners.
Jack Ellis of Kikuyu offered Alec a position as jockey/trainer and he remained there for a very successful 3 years by which time he had built up quite a large stable of horses from outside owners.
However, Mr Ellis decided that he wanted to revert to training only his own horses as he wanted to concentrate on breeding.
However, Mr Ellis decided that he wanted to revert to training only his own horses as he wanted to concentrate on breeding.
For the next few years, Alec rode for various successful trainers, one of which, Vicky Jackman, had in her stable 15 horses owned by Mr Philip Tarsh, Chairman and Managing Director of Motor Mart in East Africa.
For the next few years, Alec rode for various successful trainers, one of which, Vicky Jackman, had in her stable 15 horses owned by Mr Philip Tarsh, Chairman and Managing Director of Motor Mart in East Africa.
Vicky mentioned to Philip Tarsh that Alec was becoming unsettled in Kenya due to the fact that race meetings only took place once a week and asked whether he could find him a job.
Vicky mentioned to Philip Tarsh that Alec was becoming unsettled in Kenya due to the fact that race meetings only took place once a week and asked whether he could find him a job.
Alec got a job as a clerk in the Renault franchise in Nairobi on the understanding that he should be free to ride early morning gallops before starting his office job.
Alec got a job as a clerk in the Renault franchise in Nairobi on the understanding that he should be free to ride early morning gallops before starting his office job.
After 2 years, he was offered a position as Parts Manager at which he was so successful that 7 years later he was made Director of the Company. He remained there for a further 3 years before being promoted to Group Parts Director, at the same time continuing to ride.
After 2 years, he was offered a position as Parts Manager at which he was so successful that 7 years later he was made Director of the Company. He remained there for a further 3 years before being promoted to Group Parts Director, at the same time continuing to ride.
Then his luck ran out: he suffered a very bad accident in which a horse reared over on him, fracturing his pelvis in two places.
Then his luck ran out: he suffered a very bad accident in which a horse reared over on him, fracturing his pelvis in two places.
This ruled him out racing for some considerable time, and consequently lost him his job as first jockey to Vicky Jackman.
This ruled him out racing for some considerable time, and consequently lost him his job as first jockey to Vicky Jackman.
This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as he came back to racing with a bang: he was just as successful as he had been before the accident.
This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as he came back to racing with a bang: he was just as successful as he had been before the accident.
For the last 7 years that he was riding in Kenya he was with George Alexander at Naivasha.
For the last 7 years that he was riding in Kenya he was with George Alexander at Naivasha.
Sadly, Alec's wife died in 1977 after a sudden illness, leaving him with two young children.
Sadly, Alec's wife died in 1977 after a sudden illness, leaving him with two young children.
When, in 1978, he was forced to retire from racing due to another bad accident on the racecourse, he decided to return to the UK so that his children could complete their education.
When, in 1978, he was forced to retire from racing due to another bad accident on the racecourse, he decided to return to the UK so that his children could complete their education.
A wise decision, as his daughter Jaqueline is now a very successful businesswoman and his son Nicholas a senior executive with a Swiss oil company based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
A wise decision, as his daughter Jaqueline is now a very successful businesswoman and his son Nicholas a senior executive with a Swiss oil company based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
During his years of racing in Kenya he was Champion Jockey 4 times and 6 times runner-up, riding about 600 winners. Alec feels very lucky to have been based in Kenya during the vintage racing years, riding good horses such as:
During his years of racing in Kenya he was Champion Jockey 4 times and 6 times runner-up, riding about 600 winners. Alec feels very lucky to have been based in Kenya during the vintage racing years, riding good horses such as:
Belmo (14 winners) Kenya Derby, the Leger and most distance races,
Belmo (14 winners) Kenya Derby, the Leger and most distance races,
Endeavour (12 winners) Kenya Guineas, beaten a short head in the Kenya Derby as he didn't stay but went on to win many races from 6 furlongs to one and a quarter miles.
Endeavour (12 winners) Kenya Guineas, beaten a short head in the Kenya Derby as he didn't stay but went on to win many races from 6 furlongs to one and a quarter miles.
Ranjeet (10 winners) over 6 and 7 furlongs.
Ranjeet (10 winners) over 6 and 7 furlongs.
Secret Star (8 winners) over sprint distances.
Secret Star (8 winners) over sprint distances.
The list is endless - far too many to mention.
The list is endless - far too many to mention.
On his return to the UK, two prominent moor companies employed him for a total of 4 years. Eventually he branched out on his own and started a number of successful retail businesses.
On his return to the UK, two prominent moor companies employed him for a total of 4 years. Eventually he branched out on his own and started a number of successful retail businesses.
Alec finally retired at the age of 73. He remarried, and he and his lovely wife Eileen live in the idyllic village of Evenly near Brackley, Northamptonshire.
Alec finally retired at the age of 73. He remarried, and he and his lovely wife Eileen live in the idyllic village of Evenly near Brackley, Northamptonshire.
His hobbies include golf (Buckingham GC member for 35 years), gardening and cooking,
His hobbies include golf (Buckingham GC member for 35 years), gardening and cooking,
He has no complaints about his life except, like most jockeys, he suffers from aches and pains due to numerous falls during his racing career.
He has no complaints about his life except, like most jockeys, he suffers from aches and pains due to numerous falls during his racing career.
Alec died on Saturday, January 21, 2017. He left a widow, Eileen.
Alec died on Saturday, January 21, 2017. He left a widow, Eileen.