John Harty
When, in July 1929, John Harty won the July Plate on Gay Caprice, a local scribe wrote; 'Everyone was glad to see John Harty sufficiently recovered from his recent steeplechase accident to take the mount here. I should say that Harty is too good a flat race jockey to be taking the daily risks incidental to a steeplechase rider's career, and I should think he would be wise to leave the riding of steeplechases to his less fortunate rivals in future. Harty is one of the very best of present-day riders, and we can ill-afford to see him standing down even for a week, especially as he has so many stables that are anxious to have his services...'
When, in July 1929, John Harty won the July Plate on Gay Caprice, a local scribe wrote; 'Everyone was glad to see John Harty sufficiently recovered from his recent steeplechase accident to take the mount here. I should say that Harty is too good a flat race jockey to be taking the daily risks incidental to a steeplechase rider's career, and I should think he would be wise to leave the riding of steeplechases to his less fortunate rivals in future. Harty is one of the very best of present-day riders, and we can ill-afford to see him standing down even for a week, especially as he has so many stables that are anxious to have his services...'
What thoughts of irony must that scribe have entertained when, just eight short weeks later, John Harty was killed - in a flat race.
What thoughts of irony must that scribe have entertained when, just eight short weeks later, John Harty was killed - in a flat race.
John was riding Kirkurd at The Curragh on Wednesday, September 18, 1929, and had covered just a furlong when it tried to bolt, and in endeavouring to hold the horse, Harry struck one of the posts marking the course. Sustaining a fractured skull, he died that evening at Drogheda Memorial Hospital.
John was riding Kirkurd at The Curragh on Wednesday, September 18, 1929, and had covered just a furlong when it tried to bolt, and in endeavouring to hold the horse, Harry struck one of the posts marking the course. Sustaining a fractured skull, he died that evening at Drogheda Memorial Hospital.
A quiet, unassuming young man, John Hubert Harty first came into prominence in 1926, when he rode 22 winners. In 1928, with 48 successes, he finished second behind Morny Wing in the Jockeys' Table. John had already ridden 35 winners before his ghastly accident.
A quiet, unassuming young man, John Hubert Harty first came into prominence in 1926, when he rode 22 winners. In 1928, with 48 successes, he finished second behind Morny Wing in the Jockeys' Table. John had already ridden 35 winners before his ghastly accident.
He was the youngest son of Mr M. J. Harty, of Croom, Co Limerick, and was 24 years old. He came from a racing family. His brothers, Henry, George, and M. J. Harty Jr., were all well-known professional riders. His father and uncles (one of which also met with a fatal riding accident) were also all prominent jockeys.
He was the youngest son of Mr M. J. Harty, of Croom, Co Limerick, and was 24 years old. He came from a racing family. His brothers, Henry, George, and M. J. Harty Jr., were all well-known professional riders. His father and uncles (one of which also met with a fatal riding accident) were also all prominent jockeys.