Alfred M. Robertson

Biography

A native of Scotland, Alfred Robertson became a jockey in 1927, riding in his first race at Mount Royal Park in Canada. Robertson’s initial contract employer was his father, Ross, an owner and trainer. Robertson rode 116 winners in 1928 to finish fourth in the North American standings. He climbed to third the following year with 124 wins and finished in the top 10 in wins seven times and in earnings 10 times.

Robertson rode for Hall of Fame member Harry Payne Whitney in the late 1920s and then for his son, Hall of Fame member Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, throughout the 1930s. He won the 1929 Travers for the elder Whitney aboard Beacon Hill and won it again in 1941 aboard Hall of Fame member Whirlaway for Calumet Farm. Along with the Travers, Robertson rode Whirlaway to victory that year in the Saranac, American Derby, and Lawrence Realization.

Other top horses ridden by Robertson included Hall of Famer Top Flight, as well as Riverland, Sky Larking, Case Ace, Level Best, Caballero II, and Mate.

Robertson twice rode six winners in a single day, accomplishing the feat at Cuba’s Oriental Park in 1928 and at the Jamaica track in New York in 1941. Overall, he won 1,865 races.

Achievements

Won the Travers Stakes — 1929, 1941
Won the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes — 1930, 1931
Won the Remsen Stakes — 1933, 1940
Won the Arlington Classic — 1931
Won the Suburban Handicap — 1931
Wo the Hopeful Stakes — 1937
Won the Kentucky Oaks — 1937
Won the American Derby — 1941