Alf Williams

Alf Williams

Article by Alan Trout

Alfred Charles Williams rode two winners under National Hunt rules, starting with victory by a neck in the Autumn Handicap Hurdle at Warwick on November 28, 1959. His mount, the seven-year-old Persian Cossack, took the lead two flights from home and just held the challenge of Cluniac, whose jockey Tim Brookshaw then objected on grounds of crossing after the last flight of hurdles. The objection was overruled and Alf had his first win.

Persian Cossack was trained at Newmarket by ‘Fiddler’ Goodwill, who also provided Alf with his only other winner when Lewes proved too good for 16 rivals in the Ripley Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park on January 9, 1960. The winner came with a strong late run to overhaul Gordios by a head in the final strides. The race was for novice riders, with future successful jump jockeys Paul Kelleway and Peter Jones among those in arrears that day. 

There were no more wins for Alf, although he did come close to a third when King Conkers was beaten a short head by Jeff King on Nizette at the end of the Hagley Selling Handicap Hurdle at Worcester on March 26, 1960. His final ride was on Plaid, unplaced in the Leominster Handicap Hurdle at Hereford on Whit Monday, May 22, 1961.