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Harry Luke
Harry Luke
1847 - 1917
1847 - 1917
Born at Widdecombe, near Newton Abbot, on 14 March 1847, Henry (Harry) Luke was orphaned when aged 12.
Born at Widdecombe, near Newton Abbot, on 14 March 1847, Henry (Harry) Luke was orphaned when aged 12.
He was a leading lightweight jockey of the 1870s and 1880s. He was said to possess ‘manufactured’ rather than natural riding skills. He made up for this with perseverance, determination and exceptional strength. He was known as ‘The Evangelist’ and reportedly had a high opinion of himself.
He was a leading lightweight jockey of the 1870s and 1880s. He was said to possess ‘manufactured’ rather than natural riding skills. He made up for this with perseverance, determination and exceptional strength. He was known as ‘The Evangelist’ and reportedly had a high opinion of himself.
Initially he struggled to make an impression. After riding six winners in 1872, he had a single winner in 1873, three the following year, and just one in 1875. The turning point came in 1876 when he won the 2,000 Guineas on Lord Dupplin’s colt Petrarch, a 20/1 outsider, trained by John Dawson and the unconsidered stable’s second string. After that victory his riding career took off.
Initially he struggled to make an impression. After riding six winners in 1872, he had a single winner in 1873, three the following year, and just one in 1875. The turning point came in 1876 when he won the 2,000 Guineas on Lord Dupplin’s colt Petrarch, a 20/1 outsider, trained by John Dawson and the unconsidered stable’s second string. After that victory his riding career took off.
He rode several good winners including the 1876 Stewards’ Cup on Monaco and the 1878 Cesarewitch on Jester. He also won the 1879 Chester Cup on Reefer, the 1879 Northumberland Plate on Clearhead, the 1880 and the 1883 Cambridgeshire on Bendigo. Other notable successes included the Chesterfield Cup.
He rode several good winners including the 1876 Stewards’ Cup on Monaco and the 1878 Cesarewitch on Jester. He also won the 1879 Chester Cup on Reefer, the 1879 Northumberland Plate on Clearhead, the 1880 and the 1883 Cambridgeshire on Bendigo. Other notable successes included the Chesterfield Cup.
Harry Luke's career was ruined by rheumatism.
Harry Luke's career was ruined by rheumatism.
A conceited individual, he published his memoirs in 1911. He and his wife both ended up in workhouses, which did little for his conceited pride.
A conceited individual, he published his memoirs in 1911. He and his wife both ended up in workhouses, which did little for his conceited pride.
Harry died on December 27, 1917, from heart disease. He was 70.
Harry died on December 27, 1917, from heart disease. He was 70.
His son, Henry Luke, was also a jockey and won the 1898 Manchester Cup on King Crow. Luke died at Epsom on 22 February 1899.
His son, Henry Luke, was also a jockey and won the 1898 Manchester Cup on King Crow. Luke died at Epsom on 22 February 1899.
Information sourced from ‘A Biographical Dictionary of Racehorse Trainers in Berkshire 1850-1939’ by David Boyd, published in 1998.
Information sourced from ‘A Biographical Dictionary of Racehorse Trainers in Berkshire 1850-1939’ by David Boyd, published in 1998.
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