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Injury has often prevented a jockey from winning the National; Andrew Adams should have ridden Party Politics and, in 1969, a broken elbow prevented Owen McNally from riding Highland Wedding.
Injury has often prevented a jockey from winning the National; Andrew Adams should have ridden Party Politics and, in 1969, a broken elbow prevented Owen McNally from riding Highland Wedding.
The man chosen to replace him was E. P. Harty (Eddie) who had won the Topham Trophy on the opening day of the Liverpool meeting (on the favourite, Hopkiss).
The man chosen to replace him was E. P. Harty (Eddie) who had won the Topham Trophy on the opening day of the Liverpool meeting (on the favourite, Hopkiss).
That Highland Wedding would stay the National course was beyond question; the horse had won Newcastle's four-mile one furlong Eider Chase no less than three times. With both horse and jockey in such devastating mood, many saw the combination as a good thing to win - and so it proved, Highland Wedding romping home twelve lengths clear and unchallenged. Highland Wedding had recently won the four-mile Eider Chase at Newcastle for the third time and his credentials were there for all to see.
That Highland Wedding would stay the National course was beyond question; the horse had won Newcastle's four-mile one furlong Eider Chase no less than three times. With both horse and jockey in such devastating mood, many saw the combination as a good thing to win - and so it proved, Highland Wedding romping home twelve lengths clear and unchallenged. Highland Wedding had recently won the four-mile Eider Chase at Newcastle for the third time and his credentials were there for all to see.
On December 11, 1971, Eddie Harty took a heavy fall from Viroy at Cheltenham. Such were his injuries, which included a badly damaged nerve in his right arm, he was compelled to retire from the saddle.
On December 11, 1971, Eddie Harty took a heavy fall from Viroy at Cheltenham. Such were his injuries, which included a badly damaged nerve in his right arm, he was compelled to retire from the saddle.
Eddie turned to training, and enjoyed a second successful career.
Eddie turned to training, and enjoyed a second successful career.
Born on June 10, 1937, he was the son of Captain Cyril Hardy who, like his son, had started out as a brilliant amateur before becoming a trainer. When, in the early twenties, the Irish Free State was gaining footholds across Ireland, Captain Hardy was an officer of the Free State Army. Somewhat ironically, riding as Captain Hardy, he won the 1922 Grand Military Cup at Punchestown in April on Santos, owned by Colonel Bingham of the British Army.
Born on June 10, 1937, he was the son of Captain Cyril Hardy who, like his son, had started out as a brilliant amateur before becoming a trainer. When, in the early twenties, the Irish Free State was gaining footholds across Ireland, Captain Hardy was an officer of the Free State Army. Somewhat ironically, riding as Captain Hardy, he won the 1922 Grand Military Cup at Punchestown in April on Santos, owned by Colonel Bingham of the British Army.
Hardy Senior was some trainer, sending out Knight's Crest to win the 1944 Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
Hardy Senior was some trainer, sending out Knight's Crest to win the 1944 Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
Eddie's early career in the saddle mirrored his father's. He won his first hurdle race when just fourteen before going on to win over fifty point-to-points. Aged fourteen, he won his first race in England, September 1953 - or say some books and articles on him. I can find no evidence of him riding in England before November 1953.
Eddie's early career in the saddle mirrored his father's. He won his first hurdle race when just fourteen before going on to win over fifty point-to-points. Aged fourteen, he won his first race in England, September 1953 - or say some books and articles on him. I can find no evidence of him riding in England before November 1953.
In what would these days be known as a gap-year, Eddie took himself off to America and spent some time there as a young cowboy, returning two years later.
In what would these days be known as a gap-year, Eddie took himself off to America and spent some time there as a young cowboy, returning two years later.
He first encountered Aintree's Grand National fences when falling on Knoxtown at Becher's first time round in 1960 (the first televised National - Merryman ll).
He first encountered Aintree's Grand National fences when falling on Knoxtown at Becher's first time round in 1960 (the first televised National - Merryman ll).
Apart from his father, for whom he was retained as an amateur, Eddie also had the distinction of riding for such great trainers as Fred Winter, Toby Balding & Fred Rimell.
Apart from his father, for whom he was retained as an amateur, Eddie also had the distinction of riding for such great trainers as Fred Winter, Toby Balding & Fred Rimell.
It was for Fred Rimell that he rode Jupiter Boy to a thrilling short head victory over Specify in The Makeson Gold Cup.
It was for Fred Rimell that he rode Jupiter Boy to a thrilling short head victory over Specify in The Makeson Gold Cup.
E.P. Harty
E.P. Harty
Grand National winner: Highland Wedding (1969)
Grand National winner: Highland Wedding (1969)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1965: Topham Trophy – Hopkiss
1965: Topham Trophy – Hopkiss
1968: Welsh Grand National – Glenn
1968: Welsh Grand National – Glenn
1968: Mackeson Gold Cup – Jupiter Boy
1968: Mackeson Gold Cup – Jupiter Boy
1969: Topham Trophy – Dozo
1969: Topham Trophy – Dozo
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