James Harte
James Harte
James Harte
James Harte rode three winners in Ireland, the first being on Caulfield in the Kilbeggan Challenge Cup Chase on May 22, 1933, before crossing the Irish Sea and basing himself with Scottish owner-trainer A. M. Ainslie, who was based at Leith, near Edinburgh, and would provide him with all ten of his British wins between 1936 and 1938.
James Harte rode three winners in Ireland, the first being on Caulfield in the Kilbeggan Challenge Cup Chase on May 22, 1933, before crossing the Irish Sea and basing himself with Scottish owner-trainer A. M. Ainslie, who was based at Leith, near Edinburgh, and would provide him with all ten of his British wins between 1936 and 1938.
Mr Ainslie was a member of the Linlithgow and Stirlingshire Hunt and won a few races at their point-to-points in 1934 and 1935. His racing colours were ‘brown, oink sleeves and cap’.
Mr Ainslie was a member of the Linlithgow and Stirlingshire Hunt and won a few races at their point-to-points in 1934 and 1935. His racing colours were ‘brown, oink sleeves and cap’.
The first of James’s British victories was gained on the seven-year-old Clonmoy, who landed the Bowmont Hurdle at Kelso by four lengths on May 6, 1936. James went close to landing a double in the very next race when partnering Amulet, beaten a neck by leading amateur rider Reg Tweedie – later to achieve fame as the owner-trainer of dual Grand National runner-up Freddie – at the end of the Mellerstain Handicap Chase.
The first of James’s British victories was gained on the seven-year-old Clonmoy, who landed the Bowmont Hurdle at Kelso by four lengths on May 6, 1936. James went close to landing a double in the very next race when partnering Amulet, beaten a neck by leading amateur rider Reg Tweedie – later to achieve fame as the owner-trainer of dual Grand National runner-up Freddie – at the end of the Mellerstain Handicap Chase.
He soon had that second success when winning the Cark Chase at Cartmel’s annual Whit Monday fixture on June 1, aboard Old Edinburgh. The outsider in a field of four, the six-year-old had finished last and fallen in his previous two starts, but James had kept the ride despite those two disappointments and was rewarded with a three-length victory.
He soon had that second success when winning the Cark Chase at Cartmel’s annual Whit Monday fixture on June 1, aboard Old Edinburgh. The outsider in a field of four, the six-year-old had finished last and fallen in his previous two starts, but James had kept the ride despite those two disappointments and was rewarded with a three-length victory.
James had four wins in the 1936/37 campaign and equalled that total the following season. They included three more wins on Old Edinburgh, as well as three on the chaser Surefoot II. His final win came at Hexham on May 4, 1938, when Brigade landed the Hill Top Selling Handicap Chase. He held a licence for one more season and rode Brigade twice more but there were no further victories.
James had four wins in the 1936/37 campaign and equalled that total the following season. They included three more wins on Old Edinburgh, as well as three on the chaser Surefoot II. His final win came at Hexham on May 4, 1938, when Brigade landed the Hill Top Selling Handicap Chase. He held a licence for one more season and rode Brigade twice more but there were no further victories.
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James Harte’s British winners were, in chronological order:
James Harte’s British winners were, in chronological order:
1. Clonmoy, Kelso, May 1936
1. Clonmoy, Kelso, May 1936
2. Old Edinburgh, Cartmel, June 1, 1936
2. Old Edinburgh, Cartmel, June 1, 1936
3. Surefoot II, Kelso, October 9, 1936
3. Surefoot II, Kelso, October 9, 1936
4. Old Edinburgh, Haydock Park, January 8, 1937
4. Old Edinburgh, Haydock Park, January 8, 1937
5. Greek Girl, Carlisle, March 27, 1937
5. Greek Girl, Carlisle, March 27, 1937
6. Surefoot II, Bogside, April 9, 1937
6. Surefoot II, Bogside, April 9, 1937
7. Surefoot II, Kelso, October 9, 1937
7. Surefoot II, Kelso, October 9, 1937
8. Old Edinburgh, Catterick Bridge, November 20, 1937
8. Old Edinburgh, Catterick Bridge, November 20, 1937
9. Old Edinburgh, Carlisle, April 18, 1938
9. Old Edinburgh, Carlisle, April 18, 1938
10. Brigade, Hexham, June 4, 1938
10. Brigade, Hexham, June 4, 1938
James Harte's first win: Clonmoy, Kelso, May 1936
James Harte's first win: Clonmoy, Kelso, May 1936