Harry Watts
1892-1918
1892-1918
Lightweight jockey Harry Alexander Watts, formerly attached to the stable of Leopold de Rothschild, was killed by a shell on the Western Front while engaged in taking up ammunition.
Lightweight jockey Harry Alexander Watts, formerly attached to the stable of Leopold de Rothschild, was killed by a shell on the Western Front while engaged in taking up ammunition.
He had first ridden in 1906 and had met with a fair amount of success. Like his father, Jack Watts, he had had the honour of riding for King Edward VII. His elder brother, Newmarket trainer John Evelyn Watts (1887-1959), served with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force.
He had first ridden in 1906 and had met with a fair amount of success. Like his father, Jack Watts, he had had the honour of riding for King Edward VII. His elder brother, Newmarket trainer John Evelyn Watts (1887-1959), served with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force.
Harry achieved his two greatest successes in the saddle in 1907, winning the Wokingham Stakes on Forerunner II and the Stewards Cup on Romney.
Harry achieved his two greatest successes in the saddle in 1907, winning the Wokingham Stakes on Forerunner II and the Stewards Cup on Romney.
In addition to his victories on the Flat, he had some success under National Hunt rules between 1913 and 1915, with 14 winners in all. His first ride in that sphere was at Lingfield Park on November 1, 1913, when Scarlet Button was unplaced in the Shovelstrode Handicap Hurdle. Just ten days later he had his first win over jumps when Sulch beat eight rivals to take the Bordon Handicap Hurdle at Aldershot.
In addition to his victories on the Flat, he had some success under National Hunt rules between 1913 and 1915, with 14 winners in all. His first ride in that sphere was at Lingfield Park on November 1, 1913, when Scarlet Button was unplaced in the Shovelstrode Handicap Hurdle. Just ten days later he had his first win over jumps when Sulch beat eight rivals to take the Bordon Handicap Hurdle at Aldershot.
The racing papers were full of enthusiasm for the new recruit from the Flat, “Riding a well judged race” (The Sportsman), and “displayed fine judgement (The Sporting Life) being among the compliments.
The racing papers were full of enthusiasm for the new recruit from the Flat, “Riding a well judged race” (The Sportsman), and “displayed fine judgement (The Sporting Life) being among the compliments.
Harry had one more win before the end of the year, then nine in 1914, when he also finished third on Lilaline in one of the season’s big races, the Liverpool Hurdle.
Harry had one more win before the end of the year, then nine in 1914, when he also finished third on Lilaline in one of the season’s big races, the Liverpool Hurdle.
He rode three winners in 1915, the last of them on Sir Percy in the Portsmouth Handicap Chase at that course on Easter Monday. He returned there 12 days for what would be his final ride, when Marengo was unplaced in the Havant Maiden Hurdle.
He rode three winners in 1915, the last of them on Sir Percy in the Portsmouth Handicap Chase at that course on Easter Monday. He returned there 12 days for what would be his final ride, when Marengo was unplaced in the Havant Maiden Hurdle.
When World War One broke out, Harry had enlisted as a Private in the Army Service Corps, attached to Y Ammunition Park. Tragically, he was killed in action, aged 27, on January 3, 1918. He left £77 8s. 6d.
When World War One broke out, Harry had enlisted as a Private in the Army Service Corps, attached to Y Ammunition Park. Tragically, he was killed in action, aged 27, on January 3, 1918. He left £77 8s. 6d.
Harry Watts’ National Hunt winners were, in chronological order:
Harry Watts’ National Hunt winners were, in chronological order:
1. Sulch, Aldershot, November 11, 1913
1. Sulch, Aldershot, November 11, 1913
2. Prince San, Warwick, November 19, 1913
2. Prince San, Warwick, November 19, 1913
3. Major Jinks, Hurst Park, January 17, 1914
3. Major Jinks, Hurst Park, January 17, 1914
4. Londerry, Warwick, February 4, 1914
4. Londerry, Warwick, February 4, 1914
5. Bangor, Sandown Park, February 7, 1914
5. Bangor, Sandown Park, February 7, 1914
6. Londerry, Lingfield Park, February 12, 1914
6. Londerry, Lingfield Park, February 12, 1914
7. Scarlet Button, Kempton Park, February 21, 1914
7. Scarlet Button, Kempton Park, February 21, 1914
8. Scarlet button, Sandown Park, February 26, 1914
8. Scarlet button, Sandown Park, February 26, 1914
9. Eey Falo, Gatwick, March 4, 1914
9. Eey Falo, Gatwick, March 4, 1914
10. Quickford, Sandown Park, April 25, 1914
10. Quickford, Sandown Park, April 25, 1914
11. Coshma, Hurst Park, December 23, 1914
11. Coshma, Hurst Park, December 23, 1914
12. Londerry, Manchester, January 1, 1915
12. Londerry, Manchester, January 1, 1915
13. Portentous, Southwell, April 3, 1915
13. Portentous, Southwell, April 3, 1915
14. Sir Percy, Portsmouth, April 5, 1915
14. Sir Percy, Portsmouth, April 5, 1915
