James Harrison
1876 - 1903
1876 - 1903
James Harrison was born in Morpeth in 1876. His family then moved to Yorkshire.
James Harrison was born in Morpeth in 1876. His family then moved to Yorkshire.
He was apprenticed to William Sanderson at Malton and won the 1894 Royal Hunt Cup, run that year in exceptionally heavy ground, on 50-1 outsider Victor Wild.
He was apprenticed to William Sanderson at Malton and won the 1894 Royal Hunt Cup, run that year in exceptionally heavy ground, on 50-1 outsider Victor Wild.
The race was run in a blinding storm, and it was quite impossible to distinguish the colours worn by the jockeys until the horses had run some distance. A furlong out Avingion worked his way into second place, but he failed to reach Victor Wild who won by half-a-length. These two were four lengths clear of the third, Maundy Money.
The race was run in a blinding storm, and it was quite impossible to distinguish the colours worn by the jockeys until the horses had run some distance. A furlong out Avingion worked his way into second place, but he failed to reach Victor Wild who won by half-a-length. These two were four lengths clear of the third, Maundy Money.
Victor Wild had freely offered at 100-8 to gain a place, with few takers.
Victor Wild had freely offered at 100-8 to gain a place, with few takers.
His other major win was the 1894 Ayr Gold Cup on Mimram.
His other major win was the 1894 Ayr Gold Cup on Mimram.
In the early 1900s, he moved to France to ride for Baron de Rothschild. However, his life ended tragically not long afterwards when he committed suicide with a shotgun at Lamorlaye on February 26, 1903.
In the early 1900s, he moved to France to ride for Baron de Rothschild. However, his life ended tragically not long afterwards when he committed suicide with a shotgun at Lamorlaye on February 26, 1903.