Alfred Smirke
1914 - 1994
1914 - 1994
Alfred David Smirke was born on December 30, 1914. He was the younger brother of Derby-winning jockey Charlie Smirke but was nothing like as successful. He rode both on the Flat and over jumps. His last year with a Flat licence was 1946 but he continued to ride over hurdles until 1950.
Alfred David Smirke was born on December 30, 1914. He was the younger brother of Derby-winning jockey Charlie Smirke but was nothing like as successful. He rode both on the Flat and over jumps. His last year with a Flat licence was 1946 but he continued to ride over hurdles until 1950.
After the war he rode for Bill Paton, who trained at Yetholm, in the Borders, winning two hurdle races in April 1947, on Rashiegrain at Carlisle’s Easter fixture and Tower Knowe at Bogside’s Scottish Grand National meeting. He won twice more on Tower Knowe the following season.
After the war he rode for Bill Paton, who trained at Yetholm, in the Borders, winning two hurdle races in April 1947, on Rashiegrain at Carlisle’s Easter fixture and Tower Knowe at Bogside’s Scottish Grand National meeting. He won twice more on Tower Knowe the following season.
He then moved south but rode only one winner in each of his last two seasons. The first of those was Cadency at Fontwell on September 20, 1948; the second, and final one of his career, was Taal Hina in a Buckfastleigh novices’ hurdle on August 6, 1949. It was one of only 15 rides he had that season and he hung up his boots at the end of it.
He then moved south but rode only one winner in each of his last two seasons. The first of those was Cadency at Fontwell on September 20, 1948; the second, and final one of his career, was Taal Hina in a Buckfastleigh novices’ hurdle on August 6, 1949. It was one of only 15 rides he had that season and he hung up his boots at the end of it.
Alfred Smirke died in Liverpool on June 19, 1994, aged 79.
Alfred Smirke died in Liverpool on June 19, 1994, aged 79.