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Born in 1870, National Hunt jockey Harry Garratt rode a total of 26 winners around the turn of the 20th century without ever achieving a double-figure score for a season.
Born in 1870, National Hunt jockey Harry Garratt rode a total of 26 winners around the turn of the 20th century without ever achieving a double-figure score for a season.
He made his debut on Yachtsman, finishing unplaced in the unimaginatively-titled Selling Hurdle at the South Notts National Hunt fixture at Hazleford Ferry on 13 May 1895.
He made his debut on Yachtsman, finishing unplaced in the unimaginatively-titled Selling Hurdle at the South Notts National Hunt fixture at Hazleford Ferry on 13 May 1895.
It was almost four years before Harry first visited the winner’s enclosure, that moment coming on a 7-2 chance named Sprig – obviously a different horse to the 1927 Grand National winner of that name – in the Grand Wynnstay Steeplechase at Bangor-on-Dee on 7 April 1899. It was an eventful contest in which all bar the first two runners either fell or refused, Sprig coming home 30 lengths clear of his sole surviving rival.
It was almost four years before Harry first visited the winner’s enclosure, that moment coming on a 7-2 chance named Sprig – obviously a different horse to the 1927 Grand National winner of that name – in the Grand Wynnstay Steeplechase at Bangor-on-Dee on 7 April 1899. It was an eventful contest in which all bar the first two runners either fell or refused, Sprig coming home 30 lengths clear of his sole surviving rival.
That first win launched what would prove to be Harry’s most successful year, recording a total of nine victories. They included a double at Tanat Side Hunt (later known as Oswestry & Llanymynech) on 25 April aboard Sprig in the Llandrinio Chase (by 10 lengths) and Baronet II (by 20 lengths) in the Maiden Chase.
That first win launched what would prove to be Harry’s most successful year, recording a total of nine victories. They included a double at Tanat Side Hunt (later known as Oswestry & Llanymynech) on 25 April aboard Sprig in the Llandrinio Chase (by 10 lengths) and Baronet II (by 20 lengths) in the Maiden Chase.
He achieved another double at Southwell later that same year, on 10 October, landing the Southwell Selling Hurdle on South Stafford and the Rainworth Hurdle on Issuant. (He had won the Three-Year-Old Hurdle there on Issuant the previous day.)
He achieved another double at Southwell later that same year, on 10 October, landing the Southwell Selling Hurdle on South Stafford and the Rainworth Hurdle on Issuant. (He had won the Three-Year-Old Hurdle there on Issuant the previous day.)
The following year brought only four wins; however, he enjoyed a decent season in 1903 with a score of eight, including an unusual double at Wye on 3 June when he won twice in the space of an hour on a horse named Rover II. Having won the Selling Handicap Chase, the second race on the card, Rover II was produced again for the fourth race, the Open Novices’ Chase, which he also won. (Harry had won a race on Rover II at Hall Green the previous month.)
The following year brought only four wins; however, he enjoyed a decent season in 1903 with a score of eight, including an unusual double at Wye on 3 June when he won twice in the space of an hour on a horse named Rover II. Having won the Selling Handicap Chase, the second race on the card, Rover II was produced again for the fourth race, the Open Novices’ Chase, which he also won. (Harry had won a race on Rover II at Hall Green the previous month.)
He rode what was to be the last winner of his career on 3-1 chance Balsarroch, who took the Moderate Steeplechase at Gatwick by four lengths on 28 January 1904.
He rode what was to be the last winner of his career on 3-1 chance Balsarroch, who took the Moderate Steeplechase at Gatwick by four lengths on 28 January 1904.
Harry’s career then went into decline – although he may not have had many rides – before his final ride on Bibby, who fell in the Wolsey Selling Handicap Chase at Hurst Park on 22 December 1914.
Harry’s career then went into decline – although he may not have had many rides – before his final ride on Bibby, who fell in the Wolsey Selling Handicap Chase at Hurst Park on 22 December 1914.
Wye. 3 June 1903. Harry wins twice on the same horse.
Wye. 3 June 1903. Harry wins twice on the same horse.
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