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Harry Sprague was born in Woodbury, near Salterton, Devonshire on July 27, 1920 and became apprenticed to Jack Reardon, weighing 5st 12lbs.
Harry Sprague was born in Woodbury, near Salterton, Devonshire on July 27, 1920 and became apprenticed to Jack Reardon, weighing 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.
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.
He was predominately a hurdle race jockey who rarely rode over fences, although he did win the 1952 Grand International Chase on legal Joy and the 1956 Grand Annual on Rosenkavalier. His most important victory was the 1956 Champion Hurdle on Doorknocker. He also won back-to-back Imperial Cups on High Point in 1952/53.
He was predominately a hurdle race jockey who rarely rode over fences, although he did win the 1952 Grand International Chase on legal Joy and the 1956 Grand Annual on Rosenkavalier. His most important victory was the 1956 Champion Hurdle on Doorknocker. He also won back-to-back Imperial Cups on High Point in 1952/53.
Harry’s last winner was one of his few over fences, Done Up in the 1959 Whitbread Gold Cup. Such were his exertions after the three-mile five-furlong marathon that was sick from exhaustion after winning the race.
Harry’s last winner was one of his few over fences, Done Up in the 1959 Whitbread Gold Cup. Such were his exertions after the three-mile five-furlong marathon that was sick from exhaustion after winning the race.
His last ever ride came at Wye when riding Two Royals, which finished third, in the Southover Hurdle on May 11, 1959.
His last ever ride came at Wye when riding Two Royals, which finished third, in the Southover Hurdle on May 11, 1959.
Harry rode a total of 245 National Hunt winners plus 70 on the Flat.
Harry rode a total of 245 National Hunt winners plus 70 on the Flat.
During his career he twice broke his neck, twice broke a leg, an arm, a wrist and an ankle.
During his career he twice broke his neck, twice broke a leg, an arm, a wrist and an ankle.
He rode once in the Derby, finishing unplaced on Larchfield in 1939.
He rode once in the Derby, finishing unplaced on Larchfield in 1939.
On retiring from the saddle he became a farmer, based in Devon, the county of his birth.
On retiring from the saddle he became a farmer, based in Devon, the county of his birth.
Harry Sprague died in September 2017, aged 97.
Harry Sprague died in September 2017, aged 97.
Biggest win:
Biggest win:
Champion Hurdle winner: Doorknocker (1956)
Champion Hurdle winner: Doorknocker (1956)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1952: Grand International Chase – Legal Joy
1952: Grand International Chase – Legal Joy
1952: Imperial Cup – High Point
1952: Imperial Cup – High Point
1953: Imperial Cup – High Point
1953: Imperial Cup – High Point
1956: Grand Annual Chase – Rosenkavalier
1956: Grand Annual Chase – Rosenkavalier
1957: Birdlip Handicap Hurdle – Buckingham
1957: Birdlip Handicap Hurdle – Buckingham
1958: Triumph Hurdle – Pundit
1958: Triumph Hurdle – Pundit
1959: Whitbread Gold Cup – Done Up
1959: Whitbread Gold Cup – Done Up
Harry Sprague on Done Up (far side) jumps the last fence alongside Mandarin #
Harry Sprague on Done Up (far side) jumps the last fence alongside Mandarin #
on the way to winning the 1959 Whitbread Gold Cup.
on the way to winning the 1959 Whitbread Gold Cup.
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