Guy Harwood
Guy Harwood was born in Pulborough, Sussex on June 10, 1939. His father, Wally made the family fortune with his garage business, founded in 1931.
Guy Harwood was born in Pulborough, Sussex on June 10, 1939. His father, Wally made the family fortune with his garage business, founded in 1931.
Guy began riding in races at the age of 18, going on to win 40 point-to-points and 14 under National Hunt rules. Wearing his distinctive colours of ‘yellow and red halved, black “H”, black and red halved sleeves, quartered cap’, Guy had his first success under NH rules on Sweetener, whom he also owned, in the Langport Selling Hurdle for three- and four-year-olds at Taunton on October 8, 1960.
Guy began riding in races at the age of 18, going on to win 40 point-to-points and 14 under National Hunt rules. Wearing his distinctive colours of ‘yellow and red halved, black “H”, black and red halved sleeves, quartered cap’, Guy had his first success under NH rules on Sweetener, whom he also owned, in the Langport Selling Hurdle for three- and four-year-olds at Taunton on October 8, 1960.
He rode seven winners during that first season, three of them on Incompatible, owned by his father. Bryan Marshall, to whom Guy was assistant at the time, trained five of the winners, the other two being hunter chasers trained by their permit holder owners.
He rode seven winners during that first season, three of them on Incompatible, owned by his father. Bryan Marshall, to whom Guy was assistant at the time, trained five of the winners, the other two being hunter chasers trained by their permit holder owners.
Guy won a brace of novice hurdles on another of his father’s horses, Scots Line, the following season, then lost his 7lb claim when winning on Marshall’s novice chaser Rannock Moor at Windsor in March 1962.
Guy won a brace of novice hurdles on another of his father’s horses, Scots Line, the following season, then lost his 7lb claim when winning on Marshall’s novice chaser Rannock Moor at Windsor in March 1962.
When racing resumed at Newbury on March 8, 1963 following the ‘big freeze’ that had wiped out all bar one meeting since before Christmas, Guy rode Scots Line in the very first ‘comeback’ race, division one of the Burford Novices’ Chase. Though only fourth that day, they won comfortably by five lengths at Worcester next time out.
When racing resumed at Newbury on March 8, 1963 following the ‘big freeze’ that had wiped out all bar one meeting since before Christmas, Guy rode Scots Line in the very first ‘comeback’ race, division one of the Burford Novices’ Chase. Though only fourth that day, they won comfortably by five lengths at Worcester next time out.
Having served his time working as assistant trainer for Bryan Marshall, Guy took out a permit in 1964, achieving the first training success of his career when riding his own horse Military Secret to victory in division three of the Bentinck Hurdle at Nottingham on March 23, 1964.
Having served his time working as assistant trainer for Bryan Marshall, Guy took out a permit in 1964, achieving the first training success of his career when riding his own horse Military Secret to victory in division three of the Bentinck Hurdle at Nottingham on March 23, 1964.
Guy owned, trained and rode Assad to win two races during the first month of the 1965/66 campaign, an amateur riders’ chase at Devon & Exeter and a Huntingdon novices’ chase on August Bank Holiday Monday. He took out a full licence in 1966, based at Coombelands Racing Stables in Pulborough. With that, he simultaneously retired from riding in races.
Guy owned, trained and rode Assad to win two races during the first month of the 1965/66 campaign, an amateur riders’ chase at Devon & Exeter and a Huntingdon novices’ chase on August Bank Holiday Monday. He took out a full licence in 1966, based at Coombelands Racing Stables in Pulborough. With that, he simultaneously retired from riding in races.
His 14 winners under National Hunt rules were, in chronological order:
His 14 winners under National Hunt rules were, in chronological order:
1. Sweetener, Taunton, October 8, 1960.
1. Sweetener, Taunton, October 8, 1960.
2. Incompatible, Uttoxeter, November 17, 1960
2. Incompatible, Uttoxeter, November 17, 1960
3. Fight Shy, Wincanton, January 12, 1961
3. Fight Shy, Wincanton, January 12, 1961
4. Incompatible, Fontwell Park, February 8, 1961
4. Incompatible, Fontwell Park, February 8, 1961
5. Starbar, Fontwell Park, March 22, 1961
5. Starbar, Fontwell Park, March 22, 1961
6. Incompatible, Wye, March 27, 1961
6. Incompatible, Wye, March 27, 1961
7. Domahoney, Folkestone, April 24, 1961
7. Domahoney, Folkestone, April 24, 1961
8. Scots Line, Nottingham, October 23, 1961
8. Scots Line, Nottingham, October 23, 1961
9. Scots Line, Lingfield Park, December 8, 1961
9. Scots Line, Lingfield Park, December 8, 1961
10. Rannock Moor, Windsor, March 1, 1962
10. Rannock Moor, Windsor, March 1, 1962
11. Scots Line, Worcester, March 20, 1963
11. Scots Line, Worcester, March 20, 1963
12. Military Secret, Nottingham, March 23, 1964
12. Military Secret, Nottingham, March 23, 1964
13. Assad, Devon & Exeter, August 19, 1965
13. Assad, Devon & Exeter, August 19, 1965
14. Assad, Huntingdon, August 30, 1965.
14. Assad, Huntingdon, August 30, 1965.
During the 1970s, Guy developed his stable to become one of the most modern in Britain, introducing such innovations as artificial gallops, American-style barns and a computerised office system.
During the 1970s, Guy developed his stable to become one of the most modern in Britain, introducing such innovations as artificial gallops, American-style barns and a computerised office system.
His first really good horse was Jan Ekels, with which he won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in 1973. But his career peaked in the 1980s, landing his first Classics in 1981 with To Agori Mou in the Two Thousand Guineas and Recitation in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains. They were followed by Eclipse and ‘King George’ winner Kalaglow, star milers Rousillon and Warning, dual Gold Ascot Gold Cup winner Sadeem and a host of other top-class performers.
His first really good horse was Jan Ekels, with which he won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in 1973. But his career peaked in the 1980s, landing his first Classics in 1981 with To Agori Mou in the Two Thousand Guineas and Recitation in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains. They were followed by Eclipse and ‘King George’ winner Kalaglow, star milers Rousillon and Warning, dual Gold Ascot Gold Cup winner Sadeem and a host of other top-class performers.
But of all the horses he trained during a distinguished career, Dancing Brave stands out as a true ‘great’. In 1986 he won the Two Thousand Guineas, Eclipse Stakes, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, resulting in him being voted European Horse of the Year.
But of all the horses he trained during a distinguished career, Dancing Brave stands out as a true ‘great’. In 1986 he won the Two Thousand Guineas, Eclipse Stakes, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, resulting in him being voted European Horse of the Year.
In 1990 Guy achieved two major American Grade 1 successes with Defensive Play in the Man o’ War Stakes and Cacoethes in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. His domestic flag-bearer in 1991 was Polish Patriot, whose victories included the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and the July Cup.
In 1990 Guy achieved two major American Grade 1 successes with Defensive Play in the Man o’ War Stakes and Cacoethes in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. His domestic flag-bearer in 1991 was Polish Patriot, whose victories included the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and the July Cup.
In 1996 Guy handed over the reins at Coombelands to his daughter Amanda Perrett who took over the training licence.
In 1996 Guy handed over the reins at Coombelands to his daughter Amanda Perrett who took over the training licence.
Guy Harwood remarried in 2010 and lives with his wife Jan in the village of Coldwaltham, a couple of miles south-west of Pulborough, the place of his birth.
Guy Harwood remarried in 2010 and lives with his wife Jan in the village of Coldwaltham, a couple of miles south-west of Pulborough, the place of his birth.
His major wins as a trainer were
His major wins as a trainer were
Two Thousand Guineas: To-Agori-Mou (1981), Dancing Brave (1986)
Two Thousand Guineas: To-Agori-Mou (1981), Dancing Brave (1986)
Eclipse Stakes: Kalaglow (1982), Dancing Brave (1986)
Eclipse Stakes: Kalaglow (1982), Dancing Brave (1986)
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes: Kalaglow (1982), Dancing Brave (1986)
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes: Kalaglow (1982), Dancing Brave (1986)
St James’s Palace Stakes: To-Agori-Mou (1981)
St James’s Palace Stakes: To-Agori-Mou (1981)
Queen Anne Stakes: Rousillon (1985), Warning (1989)
Queen Anne Stakes: Rousillon (1985), Warning (1989)
Ascot Gold Cup: Sadeem (1988, 1989)
Ascot Gold Cup: Sadeem (1988, 1989)
Diamond Jubilee Stakes: Indian King (1982), Polish Patriot (1991)
Diamond Jubilee Stakes: Indian King (1982), Polish Patriot (1991)
July Cup: Polish Patriot (1991)
July Cup: Polish Patriot (1991)
Sussex Stakes: Rousillon (1985), Warning (1986)
Sussex Stakes: Rousillon (1985), Warning (1986)
Nassau Stakes: Go Leasing (1981), Mamaluna (1989)
Nassau Stakes: Go Leasing (1981), Mamaluna (1989)
International Stakes: Ile de Chypre (1989)
International Stakes: Ile de Chypre (1989)
Queen Elizabeth Stakes: Jan Ekels (1973), To-Agori-Mou (1981), Sackford (1983), Warning (1988)
Queen Elizabeth Stakes: Jan Ekels (1973), To-Agori-Mou (1981), Sackford (1983), Warning (1988)
Racing Post Trophy: Alphabatim (1983), Bakharoff (1985)
Racing Post Trophy: Alphabatim (1983), Bakharoff (1985)
In France
In France
Poule d’Essai des Poulains: Recitation (1981)
Poule d’Essai des Poulains: Recitation (1981)
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: Dancing Brave (1986)
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: Dancing Brave (1986)
Prix Jean Prat: Young Generation (1979)
Prix Jean Prat: Young Generation (1979)
Prix Jacques le Marois: Lear Fan (1984)
Prix Jacques le Marois: Lear Fan (1984)
Prix du Moulin: Rousillon (1984)
Prix du Moulin: Rousillon (1984)
Prix Jean Luc Lagardére: Recitation (1980
Prix Jean Luc Lagardére: Recitation (1980
Prix de la Foret: Brocade (1985)
Prix de la Foret: Brocade (1985)
In Ireland
In Ireland
Tattersalls Gold Cup: Ile de Chypre (1989)
Tattersalls Gold Cup: Ile de Chypre (1989)
In America
In America
Man o’ War Stakes: Defensive Play (1990)
Man o’ War Stakes: Defensive Play (1990)
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes: Cacoethes (1990)
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes: Cacoethes (1990)