Harvey Covey

Harvey Covey was born in Horsham, Surrey, on February 2, 1841.

Initially, he was apprenticed to Mr Drinkald. However, three years later, following the death of Drinkald, he moved on to complete his time with Matt Dawson.

Harvey won on his very first mount, Northern Light, owned by Mr Merry, in the Ampart Stakes at Stockbridge on June 21, 1860. His second win was gained on Aneurin in the Herefordshire Stakes at Hereford on July 19, 1860. 

He achieved his first major success on Lioness in the 1863 Cesarewitch and went on to win several more important races including the Ascot Gold Cup, Ebor Handicap, Doncaster Cup, Royal Hunt Cup (twice) and Lincolnshire. 

He was still riding when in his sixties and had his last ride in public in 1906.

Harvey Covey died at Findon on March 26, 1926, aged 85.

Big wins:

1863: Cesarewitch - Lioness

1864: Ascot Gold Cup - The Scottish Chief

1864: Doncaster Cup -General Peel

1864: Champagne Stakes - Zambesi

1865: Royal Hunt Cup - Gratitude

1866: Ebor Handicap - Westwick

1867: Lincolnshire Handicap - Vandervelde

1872: Royal Hunt Cup - Ripponden

1895: Great Metropolitan - Cornbury

His son, also Harvey, born in Newmarket, 1875, became a jockey - so, too, his brother James (c1831-1916) who finished second in the 1857 Derby on Black Tommy at 200-1