Harry Sprague

Harry was born in Devonshire on July 27, 1920 and became apprenticed to Jack Reardon. He weighed 5st 12lbs.

His first Flat winner was Jenner at Bogside on April 3, 1936: his first winner over the jumps was Bill Bulger at Leicester on November 21, 1939.

Harry's last winner was Done Up in the 1959 Whitbread Gold Cup. His last ever ride came at Wye when riding Two Royals , which finished third, in the Southover Hurdle on 11 May 1959.

Harry rode a total of 245 NH winners.

He twice broke his neck, twice broke a leg, an arm, a wrist and an ankle. He was sick from his exertions after winning on Done Up.

He once rode in the Derby, finishing unplaced on Larchfield in 1939.

Harry Sprague died in September, 2017 aged 97.

Biggest wins:

Champion Hurdle winner: Doorknocker (1956)

Other big winners:

1952: Grand International Chase – Legal Joy

1952: Imperial Cup – High Point

1953: Imperial Cup – High Point

1956: Grand Annual Chase – Rosenkavalier

1957: Birdlip Handicap Hurdle – Buckingham

1958: Triumph Hurdle – Pundit

1959: Whitbread Gold Cup – Done Up