South Africa’s Alec Laird, who hails from one of the greatest racing legacies in South African history and is steeped in tradition, learnt his skills from his father, the great Syd Laird who was a student, in turn, of his own uncle, the legendary Syd Garrett.

Alec has saddled well over 1600 winners, including 17 G1s and 40 other Graded winners), with dozens of big names on the stable’s honour roll including Mill Hill, London News, Sacred Jungle, Crimson Waves, Malteme, Royal Bencher, Forest Indigo, Bezanova, Bouclette Top, Amazing Strike, Smart Call, Romi’s Boy.

He’s always been modest and lives by an expression picked up from his dad, “You learn from someone else every day” and while Alec seems to prefer moving under the radar, he believes a “personable demeanour” is important for any trainer. “One has to market yourself,” he says.

Alec has won all the major feature races in South Africa such as the Durban July, The Met and The Summer Cup.

In 1997 Alec did the unthinkable at the time, taking his already very successful London News to Hong Kong to run in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup which he won, breaking the course record. In doing this, he was a pioneer in paving the way for other South African trainers to take horses to race in other parts of the world.

Alec always has his horses’ interest at heart above all else and is a hands-on trainer with a keen eye for talent. He currently trains Billy Bowlegs for the IRC and partners.

Here is our Q&A with Alec Laird:

1. Full name?    Alexander Garrett Laird.

2. Date of Birth?   13/07/1960.

3. Steak or sushi?  Steak.

4. Superstitions?  None.

5. Fav Holiday Destination?   Beach.

6. Which: BMW or Merc?   Merc.

7. Who inspires you the most?  My owners, all of them.

8. Big night out or quiet night in?  Depends.

9. Left-handed or right-handed?  Right-handed.

10. Personal attitude to life?  Every day is a blessing. Work hard, reap the rewards!

11. What annoys you the most?  City traffic.

12. Best horse trained?  That’s between Crimson Waves, London News and Smart Call.

13. Best horse race watched, live?
You choose:

  –Dancing Brave running 2nd to Shahrastani, Epsom Derby 1986

   -Octagonal defeating Saintly in the AJC Derby at Randwick 1996

   -Horse Chestnut winning the J&B Met by 8 lengths 1999

   -London News 1996 July/ 1997 QE2 in Hong Kong

14. Funniest person you have ever met? Can’t choose

15. Best day in racing? Between London News in Hong Kong or Smart Call in the Met.

16. Whips or no whips? Whips with limits.

17. What is your biggest phobia? Acrophobia. 

18. Most embarrassing moment? Too many to mention.

19. Biggest influence on your career? My father.

20. Should racing’s proud traditions be preserved? Definitely.

21. What lies at the heart of your success with thoroughbreds? Patience, both from me and my long-suffering owners.

22. Proudest Achievement? All my G1 wins.

23. Economy or business class?  Do I have a choice?

24. One thing to make racing better for everyone? Public gallops with more interaction and worthwhile information such as timed workouts.

25. Colts or fillies? Both.

26. Bath or shower? Shower.

27. Read or Netflix?  Netflix.

28. Best jockey worked with? Doug Whyte.

29. Any ambitions to fulfil? To win a Group 1 in UK/ France or USA.

30. Would you rather ask for permission or ask for forgiveness? Forgiveness.

Nominate someone for our Q&A next?  Colin Gordon.

Nominate two horses to follow for the rest of this season:  
Atticus Finch and Quantum

Chosen charity for readers to donate to: Any orphanage  -IRC.