Brian Harding
Photo courtesy Mary Pitt
Photo courtesy Mary Pitt
Brian Harding won the inaugural running of Cheltenham's cross-country chase. Riding McGregor The Third, Brian came home a worthy winner of the sporting Index Chase, but the race was marred by tragedy when that grand 13-year-old servant, Leagaune, dropped his hind legs into the ditch, pitched forward and broke his back on top of the bank.
Brian Harding won the inaugural running of Cheltenham's cross-country chase. Riding McGregor The Third, Brian came home a worthy winner of the sporting Index Chase, but the race was marred by tragedy when that grand 13-year-old servant, Leagaune, dropped his hind legs into the ditch, pitched forward and broke his back on top of the bank.
Reduced to tears, his jockey, Simon McNeill, said: 'It could have happened at any fence, anywhere.' Simon was anxious not to blame the new course.
Reduced to tears, his jockey, Simon McNeill, said: 'It could have happened at any fence, anywhere.' Simon was anxious not to blame the new course.
Brian Harding's own day of tears came on Friday, April 3, 1998.
Brian Harding's own day of tears came on Friday, April 3, 1998.
He was on board that most popular of horses, the grey One Man, and bowling along in front in the Mumm Melling Chase at Aintree.
He was on board that most popular of horses, the grey One Man, and bowling along in front in the Mumm Melling Chase at Aintree.
Then - disaster! One Man misjudged the ninth and took a horrendous, fatal fall.
Then - disaster! One Man misjudged the ninth and took a horrendous, fatal fall.
Brian said later: 'It was the worst day of my life. Horses fall with you all the time but One Man was very upsetting.'
Brian said later: 'It was the worst day of my life. Horses fall with you all the time but One Man was very upsetting.'
His death also shattered his cancer-ridden Greystoke trainer, Gordon Richards, who died just a few months later.
His death also shattered his cancer-ridden Greystoke trainer, Gordon Richards, who died just a few months later.
Brian Patrick Harding was born on 26 September 1972, in Castletownroche, County Cork, the same village as Jonjo O'Neill.
Brian Patrick Harding was born on 26 September 1972, in Castletownroche, County Cork, the same village as Jonjo O'Neill.
Brian's father, a dairy farmer, was also a point-to-point trainer. Hence Brian's passion for horses, which saw him join trainer Kevin Prendergast and ride five winners on the flat for him.
Brian's father, a dairy farmer, was also a point-to-point trainer. Hence Brian's passion for horses, which saw him join trainer Kevin Prendergast and ride five winners on the flat for him.
Increasing weight dictated that Brian was never going to be a Flat jockey: having left Prendergast he joined Gordon Richards and, on Saturday, 17 October 1992, rode his first winner, the 5/2 shot Palm House at Kelso.
Increasing weight dictated that Brian was never going to be a Flat jockey: having left Prendergast he joined Gordon Richards and, on Saturday, 17 October 1992, rode his first winner, the 5/2 shot Palm House at Kelso.
Brian went on lose his claim when riding 30 winners the next season (95-96) but then, on Monday, 16 December, he took a career-threatening fall from Show Your Hand at Newcastle, fracturing his skull.
Brian went on lose his claim when riding 30 winners the next season (95-96) but then, on Monday, 16 December, he took a career-threatening fall from Show Your Hand at Newcastle, fracturing his skull.
Brian's first recollection after the accident was seeing his girlfriend on Christmas morning and, after that, watching One Man's success in the King George Vl Chase at Kempton.
Brian's first recollection after the accident was seeing his girlfriend on Christmas morning and, after that, watching One Man's success in the King George Vl Chase at Kempton.
Brian saw a consultant just before Cheltenham, expecting clearance for his return to the saddle. Instead, he was told that - since a 30-second tremor in one of his legs after the fall had been construed as a 'fit' - he would be banned from racing for twelve months.
Brian saw a consultant just before Cheltenham, expecting clearance for his return to the saddle. Instead, he was told that - since a 30-second tremor in one of his legs after the fall had been construed as a 'fit' - he would be banned from racing for twelve months.
Brian said at the time: 'It came as a total shock. Since then, I sometimes thought the year would never end. Apart from cursing the doctors, I have been working as a stable lad during the summer and riding out trying to get fit.'
Brian said at the time: 'It came as a total shock. Since then, I sometimes thought the year would never end. Apart from cursing the doctors, I have been working as a stable lad during the summer and riding out trying to get fit.'
That June Brian married his girlfriend: they spent their honeymoon in the Dominican Republic. He also went back to his home in Co Cork.
That June Brian married his girlfriend: they spent their honeymoon in the Dominican Republic. He also went back to his home in Co Cork.
Twelve months is a long time away from a racecourse and Brian was grateful that he worked for Gordon Richards. Had he been at a smaller stable he could have found himself out in the cold, but Richards remained loyal.
Twelve months is a long time away from a racecourse and Brian was grateful that he worked for Gordon Richards. Had he been at a smaller stable he could have found himself out in the cold, but Richards remained loyal.
On December 16, 1997 - exactly a year to the day that he had fractured his skull - he returned to racing, taking rides at Musselburgh.
On December 16, 1997 - exactly a year to the day that he had fractured his skull - he returned to racing, taking rides at Musselburgh.
Brian got his big chance after stable jockey Tony Dobbin broke a thumb and was unable to take the ride on One Man in the 1998 Queen Mother's Chase at Cheltenham.
Brian got his big chance after stable jockey Tony Dobbin broke a thumb and was unable to take the ride on One Man in the 1998 Queen Mother's Chase at Cheltenham.
Many top jockeys contacted Richards seeking to replace Dobbin, but the loyal trainer stuck with his stable's number two jockey.
Many top jockeys contacted Richards seeking to replace Dobbin, but the loyal trainer stuck with his stable's number two jockey.
In the event, One Man skated home over the two-mile track, so putting Brian firmly on the map.
In the event, One Man skated home over the two-mile track, so putting Brian firmly on the map.
After Gordon Richards had died, his son, Nicky, took over the licence and it was him that Brian first rode in the National, partnering Feels Like Gold in 1999.
After Gordon Richards had died, his son, Nicky, took over the licence and it was him that Brian first rode in the National, partnering Feels Like Gold in 1999.
Though 30 pound out of the handicap, Feel Like Gold put up a spirited run until fading two out.
Though 30 pound out of the handicap, Feel Like Gold put up a spirited run until fading two out.
Brian's first win over the fences in Ireland came in 2004 at Fairyhouse. Riding Granit d'Estruval in the Irish Grand National (Easter Monday) Brian sprung a 33/1 surprise, coming home an easy winner..
Brian's first win over the fences in Ireland came in 2004 at Fairyhouse. Riding Granit d'Estruval in the Irish Grand National (Easter Monday) Brian sprung a 33/1 surprise, coming home an easy winner..
He finished third on Simply Gifted in the 2005 Grand National won by Hedgehunter.
He finished third on Simply Gifted in the 2005 Grand National won by Hedgehunter.
He had his final ride under National Hunt rules at the age of 44 on Anyswaythewindblows in the Heineken ‘Closing Time’ National Hunt Flat Race at Perth on April 28, 2017. There was no fairytale ending to his career as a jockey, finishing sixth of the eight runners.
He had his final ride under National Hunt rules at the age of 44 on Anyswaythewindblows in the Heineken ‘Closing Time’ National Hunt Flat Race at Perth on April 28, 2017. There was no fairytale ending to his career as a jockey, finishing sixth of the eight runners.
There was, though, at Doncaster five months later, when Brian won the one-mile Leger Legends race, the traditional curtain-raiser to the St Leger meeting, aboard 5-1 shot Off Art.
There was, though, at Doncaster five months later, when Brian won the one-mile Leger Legends race, the traditional curtain-raiser to the St Leger meeting, aboard 5-1 shot Off Art.
In a 25-year career in the saddle, Brian rode a total of 625 winners over jumps, all bar one of them – that famous 2004 Irish Grand National victory on Granit D'Estruval – in Britain. He enjoyed his best season in 2015 with a score of 56 wins.
In a 25-year career in the saddle, Brian rode a total of 625 winners over jumps, all bar one of them – that famous 2004 Irish Grand National victory on Granit D'Estruval – in Britain. He enjoyed his best season in 2015 with a score of 56 wins.
Brian’s younger brother Richard is an amateur rider who has won three races at the Cheltenham Festival and the Foxhunters’ Chase at Aintree.
Brian’s younger brother Richard is an amateur rider who has won three races at the Cheltenham Festival and the Foxhunters’ Chase at Aintree.
Brian Harding’s biggest wins were:
Brian Harding’s biggest wins were:
Queen Mother Champion Chase: One Man (1998)
Queen Mother Champion Chase: One Man (1998)
Irish Grand National: Granit D'Estruval (2004)
Irish Grand National: Granit D'Estruval (2004)
Fighting Fifth Hurdle: The French Furze (2003)
Fighting Fifth Hurdle: The French Furze (2003)
Mildmay Novices’ Chase: Addington Boy (1996)
Mildmay Novices’ Chase: Addington Boy (1996)
Future Champion Novices’ Chase: Grey Abbey (2001), Eduard (2014)
Future Champion Novices’ Chase: Grey Abbey (2001), Eduard (2014)
Peter Marsh Chase: Samstown (2015)
Peter Marsh Chase: Samstown (2015)
Other notable winners: McGregor The Third (three Cheltenham cross-country races), Donnybrook (2000 Dipper Novices’ Chase), Glinger (2004 Summer Plate), Direct Access (2005 Rehearsal Chase), Harmony Brig (2007 Rehearsal Chase), Double Hit (2010 EBF Mares’ Novices’ Chase Final), Duke Of Navan (2013 Morebattle Hurdle, 2015 Scotty Brand Chase), Streams Of Whiskey (2014 Grassroots Chase Final), Glingerburn (2015 Morebattle Hurdle, Premier Kelso Novices’ Hurdle).
Other notable winners: McGregor The Third (three Cheltenham cross-country races), Donnybrook (2000 Dipper Novices’ Chase), Glinger (2004 Summer Plate), Direct Access (2005 Rehearsal Chase), Harmony Brig (2007 Rehearsal Chase), Double Hit (2010 EBF Mares’ Novices’ Chase Final), Duke Of Navan (2013 Morebattle Hurdle, 2015 Scotty Brand Chase), Streams Of Whiskey (2014 Grassroots Chase Final), Glingerburn (2015 Morebattle Hurdle, Premier Kelso Novices’ Hurdle).