Ernest Harding
Ernest Augustus Harding was born at Sidmouth, Devon, and, at the age of nine, became apprenticed to trainer William Dilly, then at Littleton, Winchester.
Ernest Augustus Harding was born at Sidmouth, Devon, and, at the age of nine, became apprenticed to trainer William Dilly, then at Littleton, Winchester.
Aged twelve, he won the 1852 Cambridgeshire Handicap on Knight of the Shire.
Aged twelve, he won the 1852 Cambridgeshire Handicap on Knight of the Shire.
In 1857, he joined the Malton trainer William I'Anson at Highfield House where he looked after the Derby and Oaks winner Blink Bonny at the nearby Spring Cottage Stables. He stayed with I'Anson for two years before moving to Whitewall to look after The Marquis as the horse was prepared for the Two Thousand Guineas and St Leger, both of which it won.
In 1857, he joined the Malton trainer William I'Anson at Highfield House where he looked after the Derby and Oaks winner Blink Bonny at the nearby Spring Cottage Stables. He stayed with I'Anson for two years before moving to Whitewall to look after The Marquis as the horse was prepared for the Two Thousand Guineas and St Leger, both of which it won.
In 1867, Ernest went back Highfield where William I'Anson Jr had taken charge following the retirement (then death) of his father. At that time William had a good string at Highfield, including Agglethorpe and Beauclere.
In 1867, Ernest went back Highfield where William I'Anson Jr had taken charge following the retirement (then death) of his father. At that time William had a good string at Highfield, including Agglethorpe and Beauclere.
Ernest retired in 1901, living out his final years quietly in Malton. He died there on September 21, 1910, aged 71, leaving £1,000.
Ernest retired in 1901, living out his final years quietly in Malton. He died there on September 21, 1910, aged 71, leaving £1,000.
The first recorded trainer at Highfield House was George Searle, who began training there in 1780 whilst still a jockey. George rode three St Leger winners in the next ten years. The next trainer of note was Will Scott, a hard-drinking jockey and younger brother of legendary trainer John Scott.
The first recorded trainer at Highfield House was George Searle, who began training there in 1780 whilst still a jockey. George rode three St Leger winners in the next ten years. The next trainer of note was Will Scott, a hard-drinking jockey and younger brother of legendary trainer John Scott.
