Anthony Harrison
Anthony ‘Chuck’ Harrison was born on March 21, 1937 and served his apprenticeship with Arthur Budgett at Whatcombe, near Wantage. He rode his first winner on Drusus, trained by Budgett, in a six furlong Worcester maiden handicap on August 2, 1952. That was his only winner of the season, and there was only one in 1953, on Budgett’s filly Lazy Brook in a nursery seller at Yarmouth on September 17.
Anthony ‘Chuck’ Harrison was born on March 21, 1937 and served his apprenticeship with Arthur Budgett at Whatcombe, near Wantage. He rode his first winner on Drusus, trained by Budgett, in a six furlong Worcester maiden handicap on August 2, 1952. That was his only winner of the season, and there was only one in 1953, on Budgett’s filly Lazy Brook in a nursery seller at Yarmouth on September 17.
Thereafter, however, Chuck’s career took off, with nine winners in 1954 (including three during Chepstow’s two-day August Bank Holiday fixture), 10 in ’55 and 15 in ’56.
Thereafter, however, Chuck’s career took off, with nine winners in 1954 (including three during Chepstow’s two-day August Bank Holiday fixture), 10 in ’55 and 15 in ’56.
Having ridden 40 winners up to 1958 as an apprentice, he struggled when competing on level terms without a claim and did not hold a licence for the next four years.
Having ridden 40 winners up to 1958 as an apprentice, he struggled when competing on level terms without a claim and did not hold a licence for the next four years.
Having renewed his licence in 1962, he rode primarily for Newmarket trainer Atty Corbett, who would provide him with all his remaining winners. The first of these was the two-year-old Pornic at Chepstow on June 11, 1962, his sole success that year.
Having renewed his licence in 1962, he rode primarily for Newmarket trainer Atty Corbett, who would provide him with all his remaining winners. The first of these was the two-year-old Pornic at Chepstow on June 11, 1962, his sole success that year.
He again rode just one winner in 1963, that being on three-year-old maiden Exaudi at Warwick on August Bank Holiday Monday. But his highlight of that year would surely have been riding Vakil-ul-Mulk in the Derby on May 29. The 100-1 outsider, owned and trained by John Meacock, who gave all his horse Persian names, stood absolutely no chance against Relko and company but did at least avoid the indignity of finishing last in the 26-runner field.
He again rode just one winner in 1963, that being on three-year-old maiden Exaudi at Warwick on August Bank Holiday Monday. But his highlight of that year would surely have been riding Vakil-ul-Mulk in the Derby on May 29. The 100-1 outsider, owned and trained by John Meacock, who gave all his horse Persian names, stood absolutely no chance against Relko and company but did at least avoid the indignity of finishing last in the 26-runner field.
Bank Holidays were the time to follow Chuck Harrison. The first of his two winners of 1964 came on Monday, August 4 – in those days the August Bank Holiday was on the first Monday of the month rather than the last – on Corbett’s two-year-old Maestoso. His second, the following Saturday – again at Chepstow – was on Prince Amber, the 5/2 outsider of two in a match against Nelson Guest’s mount Eros Boy, which Prince Amber won by half a length.
Bank Holidays were the time to follow Chuck Harrison. The first of his two winners of 1964 came on Monday, August 4 – in those days the August Bank Holiday was on the first Monday of the month rather than the last – on Corbett’s two-year-old Maestoso. His second, the following Saturday – again at Chepstow – was on Prince Amber, the 5/2 outsider of two in a match against Nelson Guest’s mount Eros Boy, which Prince Amber won by half a length.
Birmingham’s Easter Monday fixture was the venue for the first of Chuck’s two winners in 1965, on Fools Delight in the Fosse-Way Maiden Handicap. The second – the final victory of his career – came on Grecian Jet at Chepstow on Whit Monday, June 7, 1965.
Birmingham’s Easter Monday fixture was the venue for the first of Chuck’s two winners in 1965, on Fools Delight in the Fosse-Way Maiden Handicap. The second – the final victory of his career – came on Grecian Jet at Chepstow on Whit Monday, June 7, 1965.
Anthony Harrison had one more season as a jockey and did not ride in public after 1966. But, unlike most journeyman jockeys, he could at least claim to have ridden in the Epsom Derby, even if it was on a complete no-hoper.
Anthony Harrison had one more season as a jockey and did not ride in public after 1966. But, unlike most journeyman jockeys, he could at least claim to have ridden in the Epsom Derby, even if it was on a complete no-hoper.