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Harry Whiley
Harry Whiley
1884-1957
1884-1957
The National Hunt course at Picton, in North Yorkshire, had a brief existence in the period leading up to World War One. It lasted just six years but its opening meeting provided a milestone in the career of jockey Harry Whiley.
The National Hunt course at Picton, in North Yorkshire, had a brief existence in the period leading up to World War One. It lasted just six years but its opening meeting provided a milestone in the career of jockey Harry Whiley.
Harry Hewitt Whiley was born in 1884 and rode a total of 45 winners over jumps. He was originally based in the south and had his first ride in public when riding Myles-Na-Coppaleen to finish fourth of ten runners in the Westenhanger Handicap Hurdle at Folkestone on 19 March 1906.
Harry Hewitt Whiley was born in 1884 and rode a total of 45 winners over jumps. He was originally based in the south and had his first ride in public when riding Myles-Na-Coppaleen to finish fourth of ten runners in the Westenhanger Handicap Hurdle at Folkestone on 19 March 1906.
Just eight days later, 27 March, Myles-Na-Coppaleen became Harry’s first winner when dead-heating with John Hare’s mount Kineton Boy in the Forest Handicap Hurdle at Hawthorn Hill.
Just eight days later, 27 March, Myles-Na-Coppaleen became Harry’s first winner when dead-heating with John Hare’s mount Kineton Boy in the Forest Handicap Hurdle at Hawthorn Hill.
Harry rode three winners in 1906 but none the next. Seeking further opportunities, he headed north in 1908 and rode five winners that year.
Harry rode three winners in 1906 but none the next. Seeking further opportunities, he headed north in 1908 and rode five winners that year.
His banner year coincided with the opening of Picton, which staged its inaugural fixture on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 April 1909. The first race, the three-mile Inaugural Handicap Chase, was won by Ravenscliffe, the outsider of four, owned and trained by Bob Robson and partnered by well-known amateur rider Jack Foster.
His banner year coincided with the opening of Picton, which staged its inaugural fixture on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 April 1909. The first race, the three-mile Inaugural Handicap Chase, was won by Ravenscliffe, the outsider of four, owned and trained by Bob Robson and partnered by well-known amateur rider Jack Foster.
The second race on the card was the Committee Selling Hurdle, which fell to 5-2 chance Tarquinius Superbus, ridden by Harry Whiley, who went on to complete a double aboard 7-4 on favourite Breda in the Yarm Maiden Hurdle.
The second race on the card was the Committee Selling Hurdle, which fell to 5-2 chance Tarquinius Superbus, ridden by Harry Whiley, who went on to complete a double aboard 7-4 on favourite Breda in the Yarm Maiden Hurdle.
Day two of the opening fixture brought another double for Harry, annexing the Kirklevington Selling Handicap Hurdle on Tarquinius Superbus and finishing alone on Weather Eye in a match for the Teesdale Handicap Hurdle.
Day two of the opening fixture brought another double for Harry, annexing the Kirklevington Selling Handicap Hurdle on Tarquinius Superbus and finishing alone on Weather Eye in a match for the Teesdale Handicap Hurdle.
Next time out, at Hexham on 5 May 1909, Weather Eye provided Harry with his biggest success when winning the Northumberland National Handicap Chase by ten lengths, having been sent off the 2-1 favourite.
Next time out, at Hexham on 5 May 1909, Weather Eye provided Harry with his biggest success when winning the Northumberland National Handicap Chase by ten lengths, having been sent off the 2-1 favourite.
Harry was unable to replicate that level of success in 1910, which brought just one winner – he may have been out injured for part of the year – so he returned south to reignite his career.
Harry was unable to replicate that level of success in 1910, which brought just one winner – he may have been out injured for part of the year – so he returned south to reignite his career.
The move worked, for he rode a dozen winners in 1911, including a double at Pershore on Monday, 2 October. It was a desperate day’s sport with only twelve horses taking part, resulting in a walkover, four matches and one three-horse race. Both Harry’s winners came in match races, finishing alone on Hawthorn in the Pensham Selling Hurdle after their sole rival had fallen, then doing likewise aboard 11-2 on favourite Sporting Chance after their only rival had refused.
The move worked, for he rode a dozen winners in 1911, including a double at Pershore on Monday, 2 October. It was a desperate day’s sport with only twelve horses taking part, resulting in a walkover, four matches and one three-horse race. Both Harry’s winners came in match races, finishing alone on Hawthorn in the Pensham Selling Hurdle after their sole rival had fallen, then doing likewise aboard 11-2 on favourite Sporting Chance after their only rival had refused.
He rode four winners in 1912, five in 1913, then just one more before the First World War intervened, that coming on Rubber King in the Novices’ Hurdle at Folkestone on 13 March 1914. He had what was to prove his final mount the following month, finishing third on a horse named Borough in the Selling Handicap Chase at Moreton-in-Marsh on 17 April.
He rode four winners in 1912, five in 1913, then just one more before the First World War intervened, that coming on Rubber King in the Novices’ Hurdle at Folkestone on 13 March 1914. He had what was to prove his final mount the following month, finishing third on a horse named Borough in the Selling Handicap Chase at Moreton-in-Marsh on 17 April.
Moreton-in-Marsh outlasted Harry Whiley but not by much. It was one of a dozen racecourses that failed to reopen after World War One, its final meeting having taken place in April 1915, just a month after Picton had staged its last fixture.
Moreton-in-Marsh outlasted Harry Whiley but not by much. It was one of a dozen racecourses that failed to reopen after World War One, its final meeting having taken place in April 1915, just a month after Picton had staged its last fixture.
That inaugural meeting in April 1909 was the only two-day meeting staged at Picton, the remainder being single day affairs. The clay-based course suffered throughout its existence from a shortage of runners. It staged a total of 14 days racing between 1909 and its final meeting on 13 March 1915 yet only two races produced double-figure fields. Consequently, it never drew much of a crowd.
That inaugural meeting in April 1909 was the only two-day meeting staged at Picton, the remainder being single day affairs. The clay-based course suffered throughout its existence from a shortage of runners. It staged a total of 14 days racing between 1909 and its final meeting on 13 March 1915 yet only two races produced double-figure fields. Consequently, it never drew much of a crowd.
Though Picton’s loss may have been felt locally, its demise caused little impact in the world of National Hunt racing. But for Harry Whiley, it provided two of his best days in the saddle.
Though Picton’s loss may have been felt locally, its demise caused little impact in the world of National Hunt racing. But for Harry Whiley, it provided two of his best days in the saddle.
Harry Whiley died on 13 June 1957, aged 73.
Harry Whiley died on 13 June 1957, aged 73.
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