Harry Cook

Harry Cook

Article by Alan Trout

Harold Charles Cook, known as Harry, rode two winners over jumps, albeit nearly four years apart.  

His first win was gained on May 7, 1935, officially at Pershore but actually at Cheltenham. He rode the seven-year-old Bedraggled, trained by Joseph Whiting, to land the Pensham Selling Handicap Hurdle by three lengths. 

The reason why Pershore’s May meeting took place at Cheltenham that year was that Pershore’s previous course, located at Weir Meadow, between Defford Road and the banks of the River Avon, was prone to flooding, and after the 1932 meeting had been abandoned due to a waterlogged course, it was decided to seek an alternative venue.  

A suitable site was found at the opposite end of the town, near the railway station. The last meeting at the Weir Meadow course took place in May 1934, but the new course was not ready for the 1935 May fixture – it finally opened in October that year – hence the temporary switch to Cheltenham. 

It was not until February 13, 1939, that Harry had his second, and final, winner, when Easta Hill, trained like Bedraggled by Joseph Whiting, won the Newark Selling Handicap Chase at Nottingham by a length. The 11-year-old was usually partnered by Tommy Isaac, who was back in the saddle when Easta Hill won a race at Devon & Exeter in May. Harry did not renew his licence for the 1939/40 season.