Alex Shedden
Alex Shedden
Alex Shedden
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Alexander Richard Shedden was the brother of Tommy Shedden (1902-1977), the northern-based trainer who achieved his most important success in the 1969 Cesarewitch with 20-1 shot Floridian. Both brothers rode professionally under National Hunt rules in the 1920s, Alex being the more successful of the two with eleven wins against Tommy’s three.
Alexander Richard Shedden was the brother of Tommy Shedden (1902-1977), the northern-based trainer who achieved his most important success in the 1969 Cesarewitch with 20-1 shot Floridian. Both brothers rode professionally under National Hunt rules in the 1920s, Alex being the more successful of the two with eleven wins against Tommy’s three.
Alex had one of his first rides on Golden Age, trained by his father, William Shedden, at Erdington, on the outskirts of Birmingham, when finishing third in the Long Ditton Selling Hurdle at Sandown Park on December 8, 1922. Just a month later he had his first win when Wee Mon, also trained by his father, landed the Maiden Hurdle at Birmingham on January 9, 1923.
Alex had one of his first rides on Golden Age, trained by his father, William Shedden, at Erdington, on the outskirts of Birmingham, when finishing third in the Long Ditton Selling Hurdle at Sandown Park on December 8, 1922. Just a month later he had his first win when Wee Mon, also trained by his father, landed the Maiden Hurdle at Birmingham on January 9, 1923.
Alex rode two more winners that year and three the next. He started 1925 well with success in the second race of the year at Manchester on New Year’s Day. Clearly the career highlight was his win on Waterford Glass II in the Bredon Selling Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting on March 12. The ten-year-old, trained like all but two of Alex’s winners by William Shedden, beat Miss Contrary by two lengths and was bought in for 165 guineas at the post-race auction.
Alex rode two more winners that year and three the next. He started 1925 well with success in the second race of the year at Manchester on New Year’s Day. Clearly the career highlight was his win on Waterford Glass II in the Bredon Selling Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting on March 12. The ten-year-old, trained like all but two of Alex’s winners by William Shedden, beat Miss Contrary by two lengths and was bought in for 165 guineas at the post-race auction.
Another ten-year-old, Morning Star, was Alex’s last winner when taking the Pendleton Selling Handicap Hurdle by half a length at Manchester on Easter Monday, April 13. He had his final ride when Bachelor’s Lady finished fifth of six runners in the Shifnal Selling Chase at Wolverhampton on December 29, 1925.
Another ten-year-old, Morning Star, was Alex’s last winner when taking the Pendleton Selling Handicap Hurdle by half a length at Manchester on Easter Monday, April 13. He had his final ride when Bachelor’s Lady finished fifth of six runners in the Shifnal Selling Chase at Wolverhampton on December 29, 1925.
Alex Shedden’s winners were, in chronological order.
Alex Shedden’s winners were, in chronological order.
1. Wee Moon, Birmingham, January 9, 1923
1. Wee Moon, Birmingham, January 9, 1923
2. Bold Chap, Southwell, May 19, 1923
2. Bold Chap, Southwell, May 19, 1923
3. Little England, Wetherby, November 2, 1923
3. Little England, Wetherby, November 2, 1923
4. Wee Mon, Manchester, April 21, 1924
4. Wee Mon, Manchester, April 21, 1924
5. Fortune, Uttoxeter, October 30, 1924
5. Fortune, Uttoxeter, October 30, 1924
6. Stream, Leicester, December 1, 1924
6. Stream, Leicester, December 1, 1924
7. Wee Mon, Manchester, January 1, 1925
7. Wee Mon, Manchester, January 1, 1925
8. Mah-Jongg, Hurst Park, February 20, 1925
8. Mah-Jongg, Hurst Park, February 20, 1925
9. Mah-Jongg, Manchester, March 6, 1925
9. Mah-Jongg, Manchester, March 6, 1925
10. Waterford Glass II, Cheltenham, March 12, 1925
10. Waterford Glass II, Cheltenham, March 12, 1925
11. Morning Star, Manchester, April 13, 1925
11. Morning Star, Manchester, April 13, 1925
Alex Shedden's most important winner