Michael Harpur
Michael Harpur
Michael Harpur
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Northern-based National Hunt jockey Michael Harpur rode four winners during the 1950s, beginning with Stirling Prince for Linlithgow trainer John Craig Brown in the Ashley Handicap Chase at Newcastle on November 10, 1952, beating Greenore, the mount of Dick Curran, by four lengths.
Northern-based National Hunt jockey Michael Harpur rode four winners during the 1950s, beginning with Stirling Prince for Linlithgow trainer John Craig Brown in the Ashley Handicap Chase at Newcastle on November 10, 1952, beating Greenore, the mount of Dick Curran, by four lengths.
He had to wait more than two years for his next victory but then rode three in the space of 33 days, all of them on novice hurdler Buttercleugh, owned and trained by St Boswells, Roxburghshire permit holder Alastair Paton.
He had to wait more than two years for his next victory but then rode three in the space of 33 days, all of them on novice hurdler Buttercleugh, owned and trained by St Boswells, Roxburghshire permit holder Alastair Paton.
Buttercleugh had already been placed in three of his four starts that season, partnered by Michael each time, before they finally reaped their reward in the Martnaham Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Ayr on January 3, 1955, beating the odds-on favourite Niagara Falls by five lengths. They followed up in the Duchy Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Manchester on January 28, once again beating Niagara Falls into second place, this time by two lengths. The hat-trick was completed at in the Stockton Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) at Sedgefield on February 5, although the winning margin was only half a length.
Buttercleugh had already been placed in three of his four starts that season, partnered by Michael each time, before they finally reaped their reward in the Martnaham Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Ayr on January 3, 1955, beating the odds-on favourite Niagara Falls by five lengths. They followed up in the Duchy Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Manchester on January 28, once again beating Niagara Falls into second place, this time by two lengths. The hat-trick was completed at in the Stockton Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) at Sedgefield on February 5, although the winning margin was only half a length.
They next appeared in the more prestigious Lancashire Hurdle at Liverpool on March 25 but could only finish eleventh of the thirteen finishers. After that they moved into handicap company in hurdle races at Carlisle, Bogside and Kelso, but were unplaced each time.
They next appeared in the more prestigious Lancashire Hurdle at Liverpool on March 25 but could only finish eleventh of the thirteen finishers. After that they moved into handicap company in hurdle races at Carlisle, Bogside and Kelso, but were unplaced each time.
Michael rode Buttercleugh for the final time when finishing last of four at Kelso on October 21, 1955, after which the horse was sold.
Michael rode Buttercleugh for the final time when finishing last of four at Kelso on October 21, 1955, after which the horse was sold.
He held a licence until the 1957/58 season but rode no more winners.
He held a licence until the 1957/58 season but rode no more winners.
Michael Harpur’s wins were, in chronological order:
Michael Harpur’s wins were, in chronological order:
1. Stirling Prince, Newcastle, November 10, 1952
1. Stirling Prince, Newcastle, November 10, 1952
2. Buttercleugh, Ayr, January 3, 1955
2. Buttercleugh, Ayr, January 3, 1955
3. Buttercleugh, Manchester, January 28, 1955
3. Buttercleugh, Manchester, January 28, 1955
4. Buttercleugh, Sedgefield, February 5, 1955
4. Buttercleugh, Sedgefield, February 5, 1955
Michael's third win came on Buttercleugh at Manchester, January 28, 1955
Michael's third win came on Buttercleugh at Manchester, January 28, 1955