Albert Whalley
1885 - 1949
1885 - 1949
Born on Wednesday, March 25th 1885 and eternally known as Snowy, Whalley - the son of a barber - first showed his desperation and determination to succeed when, at just 13, he left St. Cuthbert’s Street (now known as Hollins Grove Street) to make his way to Palace House in Alfred Heyhoe’s Newmarket stables where he was to work for seven years without getting a ride.
Born on Wednesday, March 25th 1885 and eternally known as Snowy, Whalley - the son of a barber - first showed his desperation and determination to succeed when, at just 13, he left St. Cuthbert’s Street (now known as Hollins Grove Street) to make his way to Palace House in Alfred Heyhoe’s Newmarket stables where he was to work for seven years without getting a ride.
Then, in 1905, Heyhoe announced his retirement and Snowy was left with the choice of returning to the smoke-blackened terrace that was St. Catherine’s Street or pressing on against seemingly overwhelming odds. Once more he packed his bags, but this time headed for India where, he’d heard, English jockeys were much in demand. And so it was – soon he found himself much in demand and the winners began to flow.
Then, in 1905, Heyhoe announced his retirement and Snowy was left with the choice of returning to the smoke-blackened terrace that was St. Catherine’s Street or pressing on against seemingly overwhelming odds. Once more he packed his bags, but this time headed for India where, he’d heard, English jockeys were much in demand. And so it was – soon he found himself much in demand and the winners began to flow.
He won many of the big races there and was champion jockey for eight years in succession. Now having renewed confidence and, above all, valuable experience, he decided to have another in England, and returned there in 1910. It was a wise move – he was soon riding for many top owners, among them Lord Durham, Lord Anglesey and Lord Glanely. He finished third in the jockeys’ championship (for the second time) in 1913 behind the ill-fated Danny Maher and Wooton, having ridden 86 winners. Fellow Northerner Steve Donoghue, who had become a close friend, finished fourth.
He won many of the big races there and was champion jockey for eight years in succession. Now having renewed confidence and, above all, valuable experience, he decided to have another in England, and returned there in 1910. It was a wise move – he was soon riding for many top owners, among them Lord Durham, Lord Anglesey and Lord Glanely. He finished third in the jockeys’ championship (for the second time) in 1913 behind the ill-fated Danny Maher and Wooton, having ridden 86 winners. Fellow Northerner Steve Donoghue, who had become a close friend, finished fourth.
In 1913, riding in the Epsom Derby, he narrowly avoided hitting the suffragette Emily Davison who had run onto the course and, just a fortnight later, was riding Tracery in the Ascot Gold Cup (June 19th) when a man (Harold Hewitt) ran out in front of him waving a pistol and shouting ‘Stop. Stop. I will stop the race.’ Whalley swerved his horse to avoid running over Hewitt, but it was too late. Hewitt was knocked down. Tracery and Whalley were also thrown to the ground and the race was lost. Whalley was taken to hospital where he was treated for concussion of the brain. Hewitt suffered a fractured skull from which he recovered before being sent to an asylum. (He escaped, fled to British Columbia and became a farmer.)
In 1913, riding in the Epsom Derby, he narrowly avoided hitting the suffragette Emily Davison who had run onto the course and, just a fortnight later, was riding Tracery in the Ascot Gold Cup (June 19th) when a man (Harold Hewitt) ran out in front of him waving a pistol and shouting ‘Stop. Stop. I will stop the race.’ Whalley swerved his horse to avoid running over Hewitt, but it was too late. Hewitt was knocked down. Tracery and Whalley were also thrown to the ground and the race was lost. Whalley was taken to hospital where he was treated for concussion of the brain. Hewitt suffered a fractured skull from which he recovered before being sent to an asylum. (He escaped, fled to British Columbia and became a farmer.)
After the war, Whalley rode his first Classic winner when partnering Roseway in the 1,000 Guineas and followed this up with an Oaks win on Charlebelle the next year, 1920. In total, he won 608 races (in England) including the Eclipse, the Champion stakes and both legs of the Autumn Double.
After the war, Whalley rode his first Classic winner when partnering Roseway in the 1,000 Guineas and followed this up with an Oaks win on Charlebelle the next year, 1920. In total, he won 608 races (in England) including the Eclipse, the Champion stakes and both legs of the Autumn Double.
Whalley later set up as a trainer in Compton, but his small string of horses had limited success. He retired as WW2 broke out and lived at Revel Cottage, Falmouth Avenue, Newmarket which still stands today.
Whalley later set up as a trainer in Compton, but his small string of horses had limited success. He retired as WW2 broke out and lived at Revel Cottage, Falmouth Avenue, Newmarket which still stands today.
He died at his Newmarket home on Friday 7th January 1949, aged 63, having made an extraordinary journey from the bleakness of the Darwen Valley to the very top of his chosen profession. He left £21,263.
He died at his Newmarket home on Friday 7th January 1949, aged 63, having made an extraordinary journey from the bleakness of the Darwen Valley to the very top of his chosen profession. He left £21,263.
Albert was married on November 25 1913 at St Mary’s Parish Church, Swaffham, Bulbeck, Cambridgeshire to Doris May Smallwood, eldest daughter of Mr Alfred Smallwood, manager of Sir Robert Buchanan-Jardine’s recently built New England Stud at Bottisham, near Newmarket. The bride was given away by her father and the jockey, Henri Jelliss, acted as best man. The reception, attended by a large number of racing and other friends was held at the residence of the bride’s parents. Later the couple left London for Paris and Nice.
Albert was married on November 25 1913 at St Mary’s Parish Church, Swaffham, Bulbeck, Cambridgeshire to Doris May Smallwood, eldest daughter of Mr Alfred Smallwood, manager of Sir Robert Buchanan-Jardine’s recently built New England Stud at Bottisham, near Newmarket. The bride was given away by her father and the jockey, Henri Jelliss, acted as best man. The reception, attended by a large number of racing and other friends was held at the residence of the bride’s parents. Later the couple left London for Paris and Nice.
Albert rode his first winner when a 23-year-old.
Albert rode his first winner when a 23-year-old.
He rode a total of 608 winners.
He rode a total of 608 winners.
The night before Tracery’s Gold Cup, Albert dreamt that there would be an accident and that they would both fall. And so it proved.
The night before Tracery’s Gold Cup, Albert dreamt that there would be an accident and that they would both fall. And so it proved.
Albert’s parents were Thomas Whalley (born 1862) and Martha Ann Ramsbotham (1865-1939)
Albert’s parents were Thomas Whalley (born 1862) and Martha Ann Ramsbotham (1865-1939)
He was baptised in St Cuthbert’s Church, Darwen on 14th April 1886
He was baptised in St Cuthbert’s Church, Darwen on 14th April 1886
Albert Whalley left £21,263 7s 11d.
Albert Whalley left £21,263 7s 11d.
Harold Hewitt returned to England in 1921 and gave himself up to the police.
Harold Hewitt returned to England in 1921 and gave himself up to the police.
He was tried at Reading Assizes by Mr Justice Darling and sentenced to two days' imprisonment.
He was tried at Reading Assizes by Mr Justice Darling and sentenced to two days' imprisonment.
Hewitt died in June, 1936, at Brean, near Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, aged 63.
Hewitt died in June, 1936, at Brean, near Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, aged 63.