The Thoroughbred Racing Industry is today mourning the loss of Mr Alan ‘Jock’ Gollogly who passed away overnight following a long illness, aged 72.
“Jock Gollogly was a unique character who was well known and respected throughout the industry,” said Racing NSW’s Chief Executive, Mr Peter V’landys AM.
“You would not find a more passionate racing person who possessed a fantastic sense of humour and was a master storyteller.
“Alan’s passing is a great loss as he touched so many with his sincerity and compassion. We send our sincere condolences to his family and many friends.”
Alan ‘Jock’ Gollogly hailed from Queensland and was the son of a successful jockey of the same name who also carried a similar nickname.
After finishing five years boarding at Nudgee College in 1968, he was apprenticed to his grandfather Fred Best who won 17 Brisbane Trainers’ Premierships and was an Australian Hall of Fame inductee.
Alan went on to have a very successful career in the saddle in Queensland winning the 1970-71 Brisbane Apprentices’ Premiership and riding Bengalla Lad to victory in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 in 1972.
In 1975, Alan spent eight months in Hong Kong with George Moore then the following year ventured to the popular Grafton Carnival where he rode several winners for the big betting stable of Hunter Kilner.
It was there that trainer Eric Sandford convinced Alan to base himself in Newcastle for a onemonth trial and he never left the city.
Gollogly didn’t mind travelling and rode the winner of the Port Moresby Cup in between winning jockeys’ premierships at Newcastle.
In later years Alan was involved in the media with stints at the Newcastle Herald, Prime TV, Sky Racing Radio and was a reporter for a local radio station.
His last gig was the official track clocker for top Newcastle trainer Kris Lees after being made redundant as clocker for the Sportsman in 2020.
He told John Tapp recently: “I’m at the track at 4:30 each morning – Kris Lees starts working 100-plus horses between 5:30am and 8am and I clock the lot.”
Australian Turf Club will name a race in Mr Gollogly’s honour at Royal Randwick this Saturday.
Mr Alan ‘Jock’ Gollogly is survived by long-time partner Lindsay.
More horse racing news
