Background
Robertson was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, the son of Georgina Watson and her husband Ross Robertson. His father became a Thoroughbred racehorse owner/trainer and Alfred began his professional career in 1927 riding for his father.
Robertson was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, the son of Georgina Watson and her husband Ross Robertson. His father became a Thoroughbred racehorse owner/trainer and Alfred began his professional career in 1927 riding for his father.
The Robertson family emigrated to the United States when Alfred was young. Alexander"s son, Bobby Watson, was a Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame jockey who "absolutely dominated horse racing in Ontario in the 1940s". 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 New York
Remarkably, his six wins at the Jamaica Racetrack were all aboard long shots. He competed twice in the Preakness Stakes, finishing third on Snowflake in 1930 and second in 1932 on Tick On.
In 1942 he was named best rider by the New York Turf Writers" Association. He retired from competitive riding the following year and in 1971 his career was honored with induction in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
Alfred Robertson died in 1975 at age sixty-three in Hialeah, Florida.
Robertson was one of the founding members of the Jockeys" Guild on its formation in 1940.