Alfred M. Robertson

Who was Alfred M. Robertson?

Alfred Masson Robertson was a Hall of Fame jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.

Robertson was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, the son of Georgina Watson and her husband Ross Robertson. The Robertson family emigrated to the United States when Alfred was young. His father became a Thoroughbred racehorse owner/trainer and Alfred began his professional career in 1927 riding for his father. Alfred's mother's family emigrated to Toronto, Canada and her brother, Alexander Watson, was also involved in Thoroughbred racing. Alexander's son, Bobby Watson, was a Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame jockey who "absolutely dominated horse racing in Ontario in the 1940s".

Alfred Robertson rode for several top American stables including those of the Whitney family, Ethel V. Mars, Isabel Dodge Sloane and for Calumet Farm he rode U.S. Triple Crown champion Whirlaway to victories in the American Derby, Lawrence Realization Stakes, and the Travers Stakes. Twice during his career he rode six winners in a single day. The first happened in 1928 at Oriental Park Racetrack in Marianao, Havana, Cuba, then in 1941 in the United States at Jamaica Racetrack in Jamaica, New York.