Harry Gordon
Harry Gordon
Harry Gordon
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Harry Gordon had no success on the Flat in the early 1920s but fared better over jumps with ten wins.
Harry Gordon had no success on the Flat in the early 1920s but fared better over jumps with ten wins.
He had his first ride under National Hunt rules at Cardiff on Easter Monday, April 5, 1920, when Caustic Sosa finished a distant third in the Windsor Optional Selling Hurdle. Eighteen days later at Bungay, he had his first, somewhat hollow, victory when Splinter walked over for the Rendlesham Optional Selling Chase. The gelding had fallen at the same course the previous day for his new owner, Mr Hotblack. It can only be conjectured that the jockey may have been hurt in the fall, which would explain why he was not on board when the horse was granted a walkover the following day.
He had his first ride under National Hunt rules at Cardiff on Easter Monday, April 5, 1920, when Caustic Sosa finished a distant third in the Windsor Optional Selling Hurdle. Eighteen days later at Bungay, he had his first, somewhat hollow, victory when Splinter walked over for the Rendlesham Optional Selling Chase. The gelding had fallen at the same course the previous day for his new owner, Mr Hotblack. It can only be conjectured that the jockey may have been hurt in the fall, which would explain why he was not on board when the horse was granted a walkover the following day.
Just seven days after their Bungay walkover, Harry and Splinter had to work much harder to land the Soberton Handicap Chase at the Hambledon Hunt fixture. Next time out, they were beaten in a match at the Isle of Wight’s May meeting by the great jockey Fred ‘Dick’ Rees on Poor Willy. Splinter was then sold, and Harry rode him no more.
Just seven days after their Bungay walkover, Harry and Splinter had to work much harder to land the Soberton Handicap Chase at the Hambledon Hunt fixture. Next time out, they were beaten in a match at the Isle of Wight’s May meeting by the great jockey Fred ‘Dick’ Rees on Poor Willy. Splinter was then sold, and Harry rode him no more.
In November that year, Harry gained his revenge on Rees for his third victory, when his mount, Jacquerie, beat Dick on Winfrith by a head in the Wye Selling Hurdle at that East Kent venue.
In November that year, Harry gained his revenge on Rees for his third victory, when his mount, Jacquerie, beat Dick on Winfrith by a head in the Wye Selling Hurdle at that East Kent venue.
Thereafter, Harry had the occasional winner, with a career-best four in 1921. His last was a half-length success on the four-year-old Morose in the Punch Bowl Selling Hurdle at Plumpton on December 13, 1926. Plumpton was also the course at which he had his final ride, when finishing eighth of ten on Constant in the Hurstpierpoint Selling Hurdle on February 21, 1927.
Thereafter, Harry had the occasional winner, with a career-best four in 1921. His last was a half-length success on the four-year-old Morose in the Punch Bowl Selling Hurdle at Plumpton on December 13, 1926. Plumpton was also the course at which he had his final ride, when finishing eighth of ten on Constant in the Hurstpierpoint Selling Hurdle on February 21, 1927.
Harry Gordon’s winners were, in chronological order:
Harry Gordon’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Splinter, Bungay, April 23, 1920 (walkover)
1. Splinter, Bungay, April 23, 1920 (walkover)
2. Splinter, Hambledon Hunt, April 30, 1920
2. Splinter, Hambledon Hunt, April 30, 1920
3. Jacquerie, Wye, November 10, 1920
3. Jacquerie, Wye, November 10, 1920
4. The Badger, Hurst Park, January 14, 1921
4. The Badger, Hurst Park, January 14, 1921
5. Glatz, Gatwick, January 26, 1921
5. Glatz, Gatwick, January 26, 1921
6. Konky, Manchester, February 3, 1921
6. Konky, Manchester, February 3, 1921
7. Tower Square, Wye, November 9, 1921
7. Tower Square, Wye, November 9, 1921
8. Greenwell, Plumpton, December 12, 1922
8. Greenwell, Plumpton, December 12, 1922
9. Shanghai, Kempton Park, December 17, 1924
9. Shanghai, Kempton Park, December 17, 1924
10. Morose, Plumpton, December 13, 1926
10. Morose, Plumpton, December 13, 1926
Harry's fourth win: The Badger, Hurst Park, January 14, 1921
Harry's fourth win: The Badger, Hurst Park, January 14, 1921