The phrase Cock of the North (or Cock o’ the North) originated in connection with the Earls of Huntly, who were leaders of the Clan Gordon that ruled several other clans in the far northeast of Scotland, a long way from other forms of authority, Whatever the Duke of Gordon said or did was law.
Cock o’ the North is also a traditional Scottish song at least 300 years old. It is the regimental march of the Gordon Highlanders.
In a racing context the term refers to the leading jockey riding in the north of England and Scotland. Usually they are northerners; rarely are they individual champions of the whole country; as at 2023 there have been only three in the last 120 years. Kevin Darley (2000) and Paul Hanagan (2011) were the most recent.
In its time Great British Racing ran a Cock o’ the North competition for the flat race jockey with most winners at northern courses during the turf season. The title has been used for competitions organised in motor cycling and greyhound racing, and probably in other fields.
It’s apt that a race at one of the north’s premier tracks, Haydock, should have had this title. It began in July 1976. At the end of 1981 it was reported that in future the July fixture would combine this race with the old Rose of Lancaster Stakes (qv) – though the latter resumed in 1989. The Cock o’ the North title continued until 1999, when it was incongruously sponsored by the House of Roux.