John Harty (born 1941)
John Harty
John Harty
1941-1990
1941-1990
John Patrick Harty was born on March 9, 1941, the younger brother of ‘Buster’ and Eddie. Their father, Captain Cyril B. Harty, had trained Knight’s Crest to win the 1944 Irish Grand National.
John Patrick Harty was born on March 9, 1941, the younger brother of ‘Buster’ and Eddie. Their father, Captain Cyril B. Harty, had trained Knight’s Crest to win the 1944 Irish Grand National.
Descended from generations of jockeys and trainers, John rode his first winner on Springfield Lad, owned and trained by his father, in the Sportsman’s Maiden Plate for amateur riders at Powerstown Park (now known as Clonmel) on March 12, 1963. On Easter Monday 1964 he rode the same horse to win the Percy Maynard Memorial Challenge Cup Hurdle for amateurs at Fairyhouse on Irish Grand National day.
Descended from generations of jockeys and trainers, John rode his first winner on Springfield Lad, owned and trained by his father, in the Sportsman’s Maiden Plate for amateur riders at Powerstown Park (now known as Clonmel) on March 12, 1963. On Easter Monday 1964 he rode the same horse to win the Percy Maynard Memorial Challenge Cup Hurdle for amateurs at Fairyhouse on Irish Grand National day.
He represented Ireland in the Three-Day Event at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, prior to taking silk and becoming a barrister, although he never actually got around to pursuing his law career at the bar.
He represented Ireland in the Three-Day Event at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, prior to taking silk and becoming a barrister, although he never actually got around to pursuing his law career at the bar.
John turned professional comparatively late in life and recorded his first major victories on Gypsando in the 1969 Leopardstown Chase and Persian Lark in the 1972 Galway Plate. He also won the 1976 Sweeps Hurdle on Master Monday.
John turned professional comparatively late in life and recorded his first major victories on Gypsando in the 1969 Leopardstown Chase and Persian Lark in the 1972 Galway Plate. He also won the 1976 Sweeps Hurdle on Master Monday.
He was 39 when achieving his finest hour in the saddle, bringing home 11-1 chance Daletta, trained by Guy St John Williams at Tullamore, Co. Offaly, in the 1980 Irish Grand National. The next day he rode Paddy Bouler to success in the Power Gold Cup.
He was 39 when achieving his finest hour in the saddle, bringing home 11-1 chance Daletta, trained by Guy St John Williams at Tullamore, Co. Offaly, in the 1980 Irish Grand National. The next day he rode Paddy Bouler to success in the Power Gold Cup.
John finished fifth on Senator Maclacurry in the 1981 Grand National at Aintree. He retired from race-riding and began training in 1983, landing a notable success with Dotis Dictio in the Naas November Handicap.
John finished fifth on Senator Maclacurry in the 1981 Grand National at Aintree. He retired from race-riding and began training in 1983, landing a notable success with Dotis Dictio in the Naas November Handicap.
However, his greatest challenge lay ahead when he was struck down by incurable motor neurone disease. He devoted the rest of his life and all his remaining physical resources to publicising the plight of fellow sufferers. He died in Armagh in December 1990, aged 49.
However, his greatest challenge lay ahead when he was struck down by incurable motor neurone disease. He devoted the rest of his life and all his remaining physical resources to publicising the plight of fellow sufferers. He died in Armagh in December 1990, aged 49.
Major wins
Major wins
1969: Leopardstown Chase – Gypsando
1969: Leopardstown Chase – Gypsando
1972: Galway Plate – Persian Lark
1972: Galway Plate – Persian Lark
1976: Sweeps Hurdle – Master Monday
1976: Sweeps Hurdle – Master Monday
1979: Victor Ludorum Hurdle – Exalted
1979: Victor Ludorum Hurdle – Exalted
1980: Embassy Chase Final – Daletta
1980: Embassy Chase Final – Daletta
1980: Irish Grand National – Daletta
1980: Irish Grand National – Daletta
1980: Power Gold Cup – Paddy Bouler
1980: Power Gold Cup – Paddy Bouler
