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Alfie McManus
Alfie McManus
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Alfie McManus was 18 years old when riding his first winner. Born at Monckton, near Ayr, he was apprenticed to Harry Whiteman and it was on a horse owned and trained by him that he had his initial success, at Hamilton Park on May 20, 1967.
Alfie McManus was 18 years old when riding his first winner. Born at Monckton, near Ayr, he was apprenticed to Harry Whiteman and it was on a horse owned and trained by him that he had his initial success, at Hamilton Park on May 20, 1967.
In the first race that afternoon Alfie rode another of Whiteman’s horses, the six-year-old Saronis, to finish second, beaten half a length by Willie McCaskill on One Moment in the Lowland Apprentice Handicap. The last race on the card was a better experience for the young Scot as he partnered the four-year-old Jean Armour to land the Netherton Handicap, taking the lead two furlongs out and staying on to score by a length and a half.
In the first race that afternoon Alfie rode another of Whiteman’s horses, the six-year-old Saronis, to finish second, beaten half a length by Willie McCaskill on One Moment in the Lowland Apprentice Handicap. The last race on the card was a better experience for the young Scot as he partnered the four-year-old Jean Armour to land the Netherton Handicap, taking the lead two furlongs out and staying on to score by a length and a half.
Despite having over 20 rides that season Alfie did not add to his total, and he failed to ride a winner in 1968. However, at Lanark on July 24, 1969 he had his final success on the Flat when Lindear, trained by Avril Vasey, held on to win the Cleghorn Apprentice Handicap by a short head. His apprenticeship at end, he held a professional jockey’s licence for both 1971 and 1972.
Despite having over 20 rides that season Alfie did not add to his total, and he failed to ride a winner in 1968. However, at Lanark on July 24, 1969 he had his final success on the Flat when Lindear, trained by Avril Vasey, held on to win the Cleghorn Apprentice Handicap by a short head. His apprenticeship at end, he held a professional jockey’s licence for both 1971 and 1972.
Alfie eventually turned his attention to the National Hunt scene, having his first outing at Wetherby on Whit Monday, May 28, 1973, when Galadon, owned and trained by George Wallace near Grantham, was fourth of five finishers in the Grange Selling Hurdle. The pair then finished second, beaten three lengths, at the final meeting of the season at Market Rasen.
Alfie eventually turned his attention to the National Hunt scene, having his first outing at Wetherby on Whit Monday, May 28, 1973, when Galadon, owned and trained by George Wallace near Grantham, was fourth of five finishers in the Grange Selling Hurdle. The pair then finished second, beaten three lengths, at the final meeting of the season at Market Rasen.
Galadon was kept busy at the beginning of the following campaign, and on his fifth start he and Alfie combined to land the Kinnoull Opportunity Handicap Hurdle by 20 lengths at Perth on September 26, 1973. Galadon was sold at the post-race auction for 660 guineas to a Mr Matthew Barrie, who send the horse to be trained by James Barclay. He duly won his next two races but not with Alfie aboard.
Galadon was kept busy at the beginning of the following campaign, and on his fifth start he and Alfie combined to land the Kinnoull Opportunity Handicap Hurdle by 20 lengths at Perth on September 26, 1973. Galadon was sold at the post-race auction for 660 guineas to a Mr Matthew Barrie, who send the horse to be trained by James Barclay. He duly won his next two races but not with Alfie aboard.
In fact, Alfie rode no more winners, having registered just three all told during his career. His final ride over jumps was when unseated from Entre Nous in the Dotland Handicap Chase at Hexham on Whit Monday, May 27, 1974.
In fact, Alfie rode no more winners, having registered just three all told during his career. His final ride over jumps was when unseated from Entre Nous in the Dotland Handicap Chase at Hexham on Whit Monday, May 27, 1974.
Reverting to the Flat, he rode as a freelance in 1974 and 1975 but had few opportunities and no wins.
Reverting to the Flat, he rode as a freelance in 1974 and 1975 but had few opportunities and no wins.
Alfie McManus' only NH winner
Alfie's first winner
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