Harry Grant
Harry Grant
Harry Grant
1912-1985
1912-1985
Although Herbert John Grant, known as Harry, held a licence to ride on the Flat for almost 30 years, he only had two wins. He was more successful over jumps, with 19 victories on either side of World War Two.
Although Herbert John Grant, known as Harry, held a licence to ride on the Flat for almost 30 years, he only had two wins. He was more successful over jumps, with 19 victories on either side of World War Two.
Born in 1912, he was apprenticed to Captain John Renwick at Malton and began by finishing unplaced on Etheenic in a field of 27 for the Danum Selling Nursery Handicap at Doncaster on September 10, 1926. He had to wait until August 1, 1929 for his first win when Forest Dance, owned and trained by Captain Renwick, beat three rivals to take the Duchy Apprentice Plate at Pontefract by four lengths. Harry had lost the right to claim an apprentice allowance by the time of his second – and final – success on the Flat, when Latoi won the Montrose Handicap ay Ayr on April 20, 1934. The five-year-old’s previous race had been an unplaced effort in the Lincolnshire Handicap when partnered by Tommy Weston.
Born in 1912, he was apprenticed to Captain John Renwick at Malton and began by finishing unplaced on Etheenic in a field of 27 for the Danum Selling Nursery Handicap at Doncaster on September 10, 1926. He had to wait until August 1, 1929 for his first win when Forest Dance, owned and trained by Captain Renwick, beat three rivals to take the Duchy Apprentice Plate at Pontefract by four lengths. Harry had lost the right to claim an apprentice allowance by the time of his second – and final – success on the Flat, when Latoi won the Montrose Handicap ay Ayr on April 20, 1934. The five-year-old’s previous race had been an unplaced effort in the Lincolnshire Handicap when partnered by Tommy Weston.
While still riding occasionally on the Flat, Harry became far more involved over jumps. He was retained by Yorkshire trainer Henry Dobson Peacock at Hurgill Lodge, Richmond, and could ride at 8st 9lb. It was his partner on the Flat, Latoi, who provided him with his first success in that sphere when taking the Arkwright Handicap Hurdle at Manchester on October 31, 1935, by a head from Ardglass, the mount of John Walsh. Latoi carried top weight and was running over hurdles for the first time since finishing unplaced earlier in the year in the Champion Hurdle, when ridden by Jack Fawcus.
While still riding occasionally on the Flat, Harry became far more involved over jumps. He was retained by Yorkshire trainer Henry Dobson Peacock at Hurgill Lodge, Richmond, and could ride at 8st 9lb. It was his partner on the Flat, Latoi, who provided him with his first success in that sphere when taking the Arkwright Handicap Hurdle at Manchester on October 31, 1935, by a head from Ardglass, the mount of John Walsh. Latoi carried top weight and was running over hurdles for the first time since finishing unplaced earlier in the year in the Champion Hurdle, when ridden by Jack Fawcus.
Harry began 1936 with wins on Isthmus at Manchester on New Year’s Day and Haydock three days later, but he then endured a gap of more than two years before riding four winners in the 1937/38 season. He won nine races in the 1938/39 campaign, including four over the Easter period with wins at Carlisle, Market Rasen at Wetherby on consecutive racing days, followed by another the following week at the annual Rothbury fixture. Unfortunately for Harry, war then intervened, just when he appeared to have reached the peak of his career. His service career took him away from racing and he spent six and a half years with D.L.I. Maritime A.A., R.A., and R.A.V.C.
Harry began 1936 with wins on Isthmus at Manchester on New Year’s Day and Haydock three days later, but he then endured a gap of more than two years before riding four winners in the 1937/38 season. He won nine races in the 1938/39 campaign, including four over the Easter period with wins at Carlisle, Market Rasen at Wetherby on consecutive racing days, followed by another the following week at the annual Rothbury fixture. Unfortunately for Harry, war then intervened, just when he appeared to have reached the peak of his career. His service career took him away from racing and he spent six and a half years with D.L.I. Maritime A.A., R.A., and R.A.V.C.
After the war he rode at southern courses, his last three wins being for Gerald Balding, and two of them owned by American businessman Jock Whiney. They were the combination behind Harry’s last winner, Paricutin, who landed the Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) by a distance at Wincanton on October 23, 1947. The five-year-old went on to win four more races that season but with other jockeys on board.
After the war he rode at southern courses, his last three wins being for Gerald Balding, and two of them owned by American businessman Jock Whiney. They were the combination behind Harry’s last winner, Paricutin, who landed the Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) by a distance at Wincanton on October 23, 1947. The five-year-old went on to win four more races that season but with other jockeys on board.
He continued to combine riding on the Flat and over jumps but his opportunities became ever fewer. For example, he had just ten rides, all unplaced, during the 1950 Flat season. He held a jumps licence until 1952/53, one of his last rides being when unplaced on juvenile hurdler Spencer Gate at Wincanton on Boxing Day 1952. He continued to ride on the Flat as a freelance until 1956 but had very few mounts.
He continued to combine riding on the Flat and over jumps but his opportunities became ever fewer. For example, he had just ten rides, all unplaced, during the 1950 Flat season. He held a jumps licence until 1952/53, one of his last rides being when unplaced on juvenile hurdler Spencer Gate at Wincanton on Boxing Day 1952. He continued to ride on the Flat as a freelance until 1956 but had very few mounts.
Harry Grant died of a perforated ulcer in October 1985, aged 73.
Harry Grant died of a perforated ulcer in October 1985, aged 73.
His winners were, in chronological order:
His winners were, in chronological order:
1. Forest Dance, Pontefract, August 1, 1929
1. Forest Dance, Pontefract, August 1, 1929
2. Latoi, Ayr, April 20, 1934
2. Latoi, Ayr, April 20, 1934
3. Latoi, Manchester, October 31, 1935
3. Latoi, Manchester, October 31, 1935
4. Isthmus, Manchester, January 1, 1936
4. Isthmus, Manchester, January 1, 1936
5. Isthmus, Haydock Park, January 4, 1936
5. Isthmus, Haydock Park, January 4, 1936
6. Agrippina, Catterick Bridge, March 4, 1938]
6. Agrippina, Catterick Bridge, March 4, 1938]
7. Filanzane, Carlisle, April 18, 1938
7. Filanzane, Carlisle, April 18, 1938
8. Triton, Hexham, April 27, 1938
8. Triton, Hexham, April 27, 1938
9. Filanzane, Cartmel, June 6, 1938
9. Filanzane, Cartmel, June 6, 1938
10. Triton, Leicester, December 5, 1938
10. Triton, Leicester, December 5, 1938
11. Brand, Nottingham, February 13, 1939
11. Brand, Nottingham, February 13, 1939
12. Gold Gainsglass, Catterick Bridge, March 4, 1939
12. Gold Gainsglass, Catterick Bridge, March 4, 1939
13. Brand, Wolverhampton, March 13, 1939
13. Brand, Wolverhampton, March 13, 1939
14. Prince Palette, Carlisle, April 8, 1939
14. Prince Palette, Carlisle, April 8, 1939
15. Brand, Market Rasen, April 10, 1939
15. Brand, Market Rasen, April 10, 1939
16. Hussar, Wetherby, April 11, 1939
16. Hussar, Wetherby, April 11, 1939
17. Gold Gainsglass, April 11, 1939
17. Gold Gainsglass, April 11, 1939
18. Beverley’s Old Tom, Rothbury, April 19, 1939
18. Beverley’s Old Tom, Rothbury, April 19, 1939
19. Battle Hymn, Hereford, April 7, 1947
19. Battle Hymn, Hereford, April 7, 1947
20. Dolly’s Love, Plumpton, October 20, 1947
20. Dolly’s Love, Plumpton, October 20, 1947
21. Paricutin, Wincanton, October 23, 1947
21. Paricutin, Wincanton, October 23, 1947