Alf Warrington
Alf Warrington
Alf Warrington
1882-1965
1882-1965
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Alfred Warrington, known as Alf, rode over jumps in the first decade of the 20th century and had ten wins.
Alfred Warrington, known as Alf, rode over jumps in the first decade of the 20th century and had ten wins.
Born in 1882, he had his first ride at Torquay on Easter Monday, April 1, 1907 and almost got off to a perfect start. His mount, Morning Mail, was beaten a short head by Albert Parker on Fuzzy Common at the end of the Ladies’ Handicap Hurdle.
Born in 1882, he had his first ride at Torquay on Easter Monday, April 1, 1907 and almost got off to a perfect start. His mount, Morning Mail, was beaten a short head by Albert Parker on Fuzzy Common at the end of the Ladies’ Handicap Hurdle.
He did not have to wait long for compensation, for the following day he gained his first success when Yafford won the Plodders Selling Chase by a length and a half. The five-year-old had won at the course the previous day when ridden by top amateur Arthur ‘Stosher’ Wood.
He did not have to wait long for compensation, for the following day he gained his first success when Yafford won the Plodders Selling Chase by a length and a half. The five-year-old had won at the course the previous day when ridden by top amateur Arthur ‘Stosher’ Wood.
Despite having nearly 20 rides Alf did not win another race that year. The following year went better with five wins, four of them on the chaser Clandon Lad, including on successive days at Cheltenham. That horse was also responsible for three of Alf’s four wins in 1909.
Despite having nearly 20 rides Alf did not win another race that year. The following year went better with five wins, four of them on the chaser Clandon Lad, including on successive days at Cheltenham. That horse was also responsible for three of Alf’s four wins in 1909.
His last win, however, came on Island Chief, an easy winner of the Seaside Chase at Portsmouth Park on Easter Monday, April 12, 1909, coming home 15 lengths clear. It was his tenth win, meaning he lost his allowance after that success. Island Chief would also provide weighing room colleague James Terretta with the last win of his career at the same venue in November 1910.
His last win, however, came on Island Chief, an easy winner of the Seaside Chase at Portsmouth Park on Easter Monday, April 12, 1909, coming home 15 lengths clear. It was his tenth win, meaning he lost his allowance after that success. Island Chief would also provide weighing room colleague James Terretta with the last win of his career at the same venue in November 1910.
Appropriately, Alf’s final ride was on Clandon Lad, the horse responsible for six of his ten wins, at Torquay on Easter Monday, April 9, 1912. This time they could only finish second, beaten eight lengths by Frank Holman on Better Half in the Plodders Selling Chase, the race that had provided Alf with his first victory five years earlier.
Appropriately, Alf’s final ride was on Clandon Lad, the horse responsible for six of his ten wins, at Torquay on Easter Monday, April 9, 1912. This time they could only finish second, beaten eight lengths by Frank Holman on Better Half in the Plodders Selling Chase, the race that had provided Alf with his first victory five years earlier.
Alf Warrington died in 1965.
Alf Warrington died in 1965.
His winners were, in chronological order:
His winners were, in chronological order:
1. Yafford, Torquay, April 2, 1907
1. Yafford, Torquay, April 2, 1907
2. Didcot, Crewkerne, June 8, 1908
2. Didcot, Crewkerne, June 8, 1908
3. Clandon Lad, Cheltenham, October 22, 1908
3. Clandon Lad, Cheltenham, October 22, 1908
4. Clandon Lad, Cheltenham, October 23, 1908
4. Clandon Lad, Cheltenham, October 23, 1908
5. Little Garston, Hawthorn Hill, November 7, 1908
5. Little Garston, Hawthorn Hill, November 7, 1908
6. Clandon Lad, Folkestone, December 22, 1908
6. Clandon Lad, Folkestone, December 22, 1908
7. Clandon Lad, Gatwick, January 7, 1909
7. Clandon Lad, Gatwick, January 7, 1909
8. Clandon Lad, Windsor, February 18, 1909
8. Clandon Lad, Windsor, February 18, 1909
9. Clandon Lad, Hawthorn Hill, March 23, 1909
9. Clandon Lad, Hawthorn Hill, March 23, 1909
10. Island Chief, Portsmouth Park, April 12, 1909
10. Island Chief, Portsmouth Park, April 12, 1909
Alf's final winner: Island Chief, Portsmouth Park, April 12, 1909
Alf's final winner: Island Chief, Portsmouth Park, April 12, 1909