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I’m trying to find out information about an old friend of my father called Alec McAleer (probably about 75 – 80 years of age) a former jockey. Alec lived in Billingham,Teesside. Dad last saw him riding at Redcar in the laste 1940’s riding a horse called Massif.
He was an apprentice to to Mr Kitchin, Mr Golling and Mr Weymes in the 1950’s and then was licensed to ride in Kenya. Information from the Kenyan Jockey Club said he was successful and returned to the UK in the 1970’s unfortunaterly they had no up to date re his whereabouts or his career after Kenya.Dad is 88 and I would love to be able to bring any information on Alec.
Thanks to anybody who could provide any more information.
Best Wishes
Teesside.
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Your request for information regarding my whereabouts has been passed to me through a friend who happened to pick it on the Racing forum.
I could go into great detail regarding my history of racing in Kenya but it would take too long as I was there from 1959 to 1978 riding approximately 600 winners I now live in Evenley Northamptonshire. Should your father wish to contact me I would be more than pleased to hear from him via e-mail or telephone.
I await your reply with interest.
Alexander (Alec) McAleerWould be a shame if this drops off the bottom. Any chance of emailing the original contributor Corm to let them know their initial query has belatedly been answered.
Alec
My name is Kevin Flanagan (my father is Tom Flanagan). You probably knew his brothers Chris and Tim better (Dad is older 88). Sadly Chris and Tim passed away a number of years ago. Dad also had a number of sisters. Dad lives in Normanby, Middlesbrough.
Talking about the old times dad mentioned you (the last time he saw you was at Redcar in the late 40’s riding a horse call Massif). I got a copy of the race result from Wetherbys. I contacted Mary Binks(a coupleof years ago) in Kenya who told me you had returned to the UK but the trail went cold. So I posted on the Racing Post.
Dad is hard of hearing. However I would love the opportunity to talk to you and relay the information to dad.
He was delighted when I told him that you are living in Northamptonshire – he passes on his best wishes and hopes you are in good health.
Please email me on kevin.flanagan@ntlworld.com
We can then exchange phone numbers/email addresses and I will contact you.
Best wishes.
Kevin
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Racing Forum for being the conduit that enabled me (and more importantly my father) to contact Alex.
An incredible occurence resulted in the contact.
From Alex’s post (on the forum) he said he lived in Evenley, Northamptonshire. I looked up the village and rang the village Post Office with the intention of sending a letter to Alex c/o the Post Office. Incredibly Alex walked into the Post Office whilst I was on the phone to the Post Mistress!
We exchanged telephone numbers and last night we had a long telephone call. Dad was ‘over the moon’. It had been 63 years since they had last spoken at Redcar.
Again if it wasn’t for the Racing Forum it would never of happened.
Best wishes.
Kevin
What a heart-warming story, and what a fantastic coincidence too (the Post Office bit!).
This is such a brilliant thread!
I’ve had an absolutely horrible time of things recently (personal -not horse related) but this story has impacted my heart.
Just goes to show that with hope, perseverance and a little bit of luck, the seemingly impossible can be turned into anything but.
Immense kudos to the forum and to Kevin. I couldn’t be happier for you mate
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