'We have been overwhelmed by the messages from all over the world' - racing pays its respects at the funeral of trainer Alan Bailey

There were plenty of laughs as well as tears at the funeral of trainer Alan Bailey in Newmarket on Thursday when a full house of nearly 400 mourners congregated at St Mary’s Church.

Bailey, who was nicknamed the Captain and died on July 24 at the age of 86, held a licence for 40 years until his retirement in 2020 and is best remembered for winning two Chester Cups and an Ayr Gold Cup, the successful horses all carrying his shrewd money.

His Ayr Gold Cup winner Not So Silly was ridden by Gary Bardwell, who was among many from the weighing room to pay their respects. Franny Norton, John Egan, Adam Kirby, Liam Jones, Michael Tebbutt, Michael Hills, Freddy Tylicki, Allan Mackay, Philip Robinson, Jimmy Quinn, Dale Gibson and Willie Ryan were also in attendance. Former female apprentice Melody Town, whose late father Fred was a longtime associate of Bailey’s, travelled from Australia to attend.

The order of service at Alan Bailey's funeral

Originally from Lancashire, Bailey first trained in Newmarket and he returned to the town after spells in Cheshire and Scotland. Trainers and former trainers came from all over Britain to pay their respects including Mick Channon, Geoff Huffer, David Elsworth, John Ryan, Peter Chapple-Hyam and Chris Dwyer. Jock Brown, Charlie Johnston’s traveling head lad, made the trip from North Yorkshire.

Bailey’s grandson, trainer Joe Parr, was one of the pall-bearers at the service, fittingly conducted by the Reverend Jeremy Lind, who is also a clerk of the scales. 

Bailey’s daughter Laraine Moody gave a moving address. She said: “We have been overwhelmed by the messages we have received from all over the world about Dad. Messages of sorrow, yes, but mostly messages and stories about how much pleasure people had from knowing him.”

She added: “There are so many stories and some of them are actually true. My personal favourite was about a horse of Dad’s that unfortunately died in its stall before a race. Dad got a call to the stewards’ room and asked to explain what had happened and why. Dad’s response was that he didn’t know how it had happened but he did assure the stewards that the horse had never done it before and it wouldn’t happen again.

Michael Tebbutt and Mick Channon at St Mary's Church

“Dad was famous for his colourful language and most of his sentences would begin and end with an ‘F’, but in reality his favourite F words were family and friends. Later on, he was so chuffed that Joe followed him as a trainer.”

Bailey is survived by Jan, his wife of 60 years, Laraine, Joe and granddaughter Roxanne, who gave a reading entitled The Last Race.

To the tune of The Gambler by Kenny Rogers, Bailey was then carried out to a private committal at West Suffolk Crematorium and later there was a gathering at the Bedford Lodge Hotel, one of his former haunts.

Donations can be made to Racing Welfare or My Wish Charity at West Suffolk Hospital.

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