Since taking out a full licence in 2007, Kinneston, Perthshire based Nick Alexander has become one of the most successful trainers north of the border - his Lake View Lad took the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree in December and is a leading hope for next month’s Grand National.
He is also father to Kit, who has notched up nearly 70 winners in points and under Rules, and – of course – pioneering lady jockey Lucy. However, despite his focus now being mostly on the professional game, Nick holds a deep affinity for pointing – and has strong views on the state of the sport in the Northern area.
Jake Exelby talked to him the other day, to get the lockdown lowdown…
How did you get into point-to-pointing in the first place?
My father, Cyril, trained pointers and held a permit under Rules. He won the Aintree Foxhunters in 1966 with Subaltern – ridden by Lord Oaksey. That was my first memory and I’ve been addicted ever since.
I’ve always had pointers – I rode in a few races, but wasn’t very good and never rode a winner – then I took out a permit in 2002, followed by my licence. I came to training relatively late.
As well as Kit and Lucy, my brother Jamie’s ridden in points. He’s 55 now and can’t work out whether to ride again this season or retire. His horses are running under Rules at the moment, but may go back into points to give him one last shot at it.
Who’s inspired you most in the world of pointing?
I always looked up to my father’s generation. They were all owner-riders, on horses they’d hunted themselves and there was a tremendous camaraderie.
Which jockeys do you most admire?
Lots of good riders have come out of pointing and gone on to do better – the likes of Ryan Mania, Jamie and Tom Hamilton and Lucy of course.
Lucy was Area Novice Champion, then definitely broke barriers by turning professional when she did – there were hardly any female professionals at the time and, by becoming champion conditional (the only lady rider to do so), she opened doors. She rode 38 winners two seasons in a row.
Because she chose to stay in the north, it’s natural that she’s slipped out of the limelight as she’s not had the same opportunities to shine on the big stage. She’s also had a lot of injuries, so the last few years have been a bit stop-start.
Who have been your favourite horses?
We’ve had so much fun with our own horses. Wise Man helped Lucy win the novice riders title, Kit’s won plenty on our home-breds, including Native Coll, and most recently there was Racing Pulse – who we bought from Ireland – who won both the area feature point-to-point and hunter chase for Jamie.
Tell me about the pointing – and racing – in the north
There are just as many good trainers in the north but we've been left behind in the spending battle. Back in the day, a well-to-do farmer could afford a top horse, but even the likes of Peter Beaumont and Michael Dickinson wouldn’t spend £500,000 on one. Whereas now you’ve got a queue of agents lining up to pay that sort of money for the elite owners.
And I’m extremely worried about the state of pointing in the north. It’s an absolutely fantastic training ground for young horses, riders and trainers and a tremendous nursery for National Hunt racing but it was already under pressure, before COVID added more, and I hope it’s not in danger of extinction.
What they do at Alnwick is fantastic, there were loads of runners at the last meeting there and I’m desperate to get more fixtures on later this season – and will have two pointers of my own if so. But it’s a vicious circle. If there’s a doubt about fixtures, there won’t be the horses. And if there are doubts about the number of horses, who’s going to want to put on a fixture? If the issues are financial, it needs to be centrally funded.
Hunter chases are an anomaly – many are oversubscribed but there were only seven runners at Musselburgh the other day. It’s because if you run in a hunter chase, you can’t run in handicaps, so if they don't bring back pointing, you’re frozen out for the season. And Sunday appearance money has been difficult for pointing – trainers have been sending their horses under Rules instead.
What have been the highlights of your time in the sport?
It’s hard to pick just one. Maybe Kit riding a treble on our own horses (at Overton in 2015), Jamie winning at the last ever Balcormo Mains, or when the four Alexander brothers - me, Jamie, David and Michael - all rode in the Fife members race in 2002. Unfortunately, the fifth runner won!
What's your favourite course?
Alnwick’s very fair, the racing’s very competitive and horses come from all over. Balcormo Mains is our local track – we had many wonderful days there – and we have happy memories of Friars Haugh.
Unfortunately, too many tracks are being lost, but you can see why – a course needs three or four fixtures to make it work.
What changes have you seen in your time? For better, for worse
The cost has become prohibitive for young riders – registrations, hunter and rider qualification certificates and point-to-point subscriptions cost the best part of £1,000. We always try to have at least one horse for our staff to ride – to encourage them to have a go – but when I look at what they have to pay, it’s the best part of three weeks’ wages…
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
Peter Wright’s been doing a fantastic job during Covid in keeping everyone’s morale up.
Centrally controlling race conditions with a good programme is very important. We need to maximise opportunities and minimise restrictions, and leaving fixture planning with the meeting secretary doesn’t always work.
Who’s going to win the Cheltenham Foxhunters?
Willie Mullins, with Billaway, just like he’ll win every other race! I’d love to see a British point-to-point trainer win, but couldn’t tell you which one.
Have you enjoyed anything about lockdown?
I’ve enjoyed the fact that I didn't feel as busy – I still had plenty to do, just not quite as much. We turned out the horses and I got more balance into my life!
It’s also been nice to have my two grown-up sons – Kit and Johnny – back. They’re both working from home.
It’s been terrible for so many people, but if we become less consumerist and think about others more, that will be positive.
Tell me about a book, film, TV series or some music you've enjoyed?
Netflix has become part of our lives! It’s fantastic, and a great way to switch off. And I read during the first lockdown – normally I only do that when I go on holiday.
But we’ve had 50 horses in since July, so have been pretty busy since then.
What would you be doing if you weren’t involved in racing?
I’d probably still be a stockbroker. I’d love to have been a farmer – while we’ve got a farm, it’s all contracted out and everything’s designed around the horses, so I couldn’t describe myself as one!
Is there anything else you’d like to say?
I just hope we can get pointing back on a strong footing with crowds. It’s absurd that you can’t stand outside your own car watching horses race round a field.