Harry Ward

National Hunt jockey Harry Ward rode his first winner on Village Joker in the Croxdale Hurdle at Shincliffe on May 13, 1909. He had partnered the five-year-old on his previous start when second at Rothbury the previous month. They had one more outing together when second at Hexham on May 31, that being Harry’s last ride of the year. 

He had no rides in 1910, just one in 1911, then was not seen again until after the war. 

Harry resumed his career in 1919 and rode eight winners during 1920. Three of those were in matches, while in two others he faced just two rivals each time.

He rode his comeback winner at Torquay on Easter Monday when Flying Simon, trained by Alex Law, saw off two rivals to win the Ladies’ Handicap Hurdle. They followed up over the same course and distance the next day in a match for the Torre Handicap Hurdle. 

At Bungay later that month, Harry rode Curraghgour, also trained by Alex Law, to win a match for the Novices’ Hurdle. He then registered a double on the second day of the meeting, winning a pair of handicap hurdles, beating two opponents on Flying Simon and finishing alone on Teddie Dear after their sole rival had fallen. 

He rode what proved to be his last winner when guiding Common Occurrence to a five-length success in the Wroughton Selling Handicap Hurdle at Newbury on New Year’s Eve 1920. 

Tragically, he broke his neck and was killed outright when his mount Sunny Lad fell in the Copthorne Selling Handicap Hurdle at Gatwick on February 19, 1921.

He was 40 years of age, single and left £302.

Harry Ward’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Village Joker, Shincliffe, May 13, 1909

2. Flying Simon, Torquay, April 5, 1920

3. Flying Simon, Torquay, April 6, 1920

4. Curraghgour, Bungay, April 22, 1920

5. Flying Simon, Bungay, April 23, 1920

6. Teddie Dear, Bungay, April 23, 1920

7. Speedy Cut, Cardiff, May 25, 1920

8. Suitus, Wolverhampton, September 20, 1920

9. Common Occurrence, Newbury, December 31, 1920