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Harry Whiteman
Harry Whiteman
1896-1983
1896-1983
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Far better remembered as a trainer, Henry Edward Whiteman, always known as Harry, rode on the Flat before and after World War I without ever riding a winner. However, he fared better over jumps with 11 wins during a career inevitably compromised by the war.
Far better remembered as a trainer, Henry Edward Whiteman, always known as Harry, rode on the Flat before and after World War I without ever riding a winner. However, he fared better over jumps with 11 wins during a career inevitably compromised by the war.
Born on December 30, 1896, he was apprenticed to his father, Bill, and had his first ride at Manchester on September 23, 1911, when last of three runners on Vennmore in the Kersal Moor Three-Year-Old Plate. There was no shame in that as the first two jockeys were among the most outstanding of the period, ‘Skeets’ Martin and Frank Wootton.
Born on December 30, 1896, he was apprenticed to his father, Bill, and had his first ride at Manchester on September 23, 1911, when last of three runners on Vennmore in the Kersal Moor Three-Year-Old Plate. There was no shame in that as the first two jockeys were among the most outstanding of the period, ‘Skeets’ Martin and Frank Wootton.
His first ride under National Hunt rules was also on Vennmore and also ended in a third place finish, but at least he had two behind him when occupying that spot in the Grand Stand Selling Hurdle at Hereford on Easter Monday, April 8, 1912.
His first ride under National Hunt rules was also on Vennmore and also ended in a third place finish, but at least he had two behind him when occupying that spot in the Grand Stand Selling Hurdle at Hereford on Easter Monday, April 8, 1912.
It was at the corresponding Hereford Easter Monday fixture the following year that he had his first success when The Doctor V was too good for five rivals in the North and South Herefordshire Hunts Challenge Cup Chase, beating Whitfield, the only other finisher by a distance.
It was at the corresponding Hereford Easter Monday fixture the following year that he had his first success when The Doctor V was too good for five rivals in the North and South Herefordshire Hunts Challenge Cup Chase, beating Whitfield, the only other finisher by a distance.
Harry had one more win before the war, during which he served in the Shropshire Yeomanry from 1914-16 and the Royal Flying Corps 1916-19. On his return to racing he had four more wins, including three on the remarkable The Doctor V, one of them being the same race they had won at Hereford seven years earlier.
Harry had one more win before the war, during which he served in the Shropshire Yeomanry from 1914-16 and the Royal Flying Corps 1916-19. On his return to racing he had four more wins, including three on the remarkable The Doctor V, one of them being the same race they had won at Hereford seven years earlier.
There was then a six-year absence from British racing, during which he may have ridden winners abroad. While that is merely speculation, it is given credence by the fact that he was still claiming an allowance when riding his sixth winner (The Doctor V at Tenby in January 1921) but not when returning in the 1927/28 season.
There was then a six-year absence from British racing, during which he may have ridden winners abroad. While that is merely speculation, it is given credence by the fact that he was still claiming an allowance when riding his sixth winner (The Doctor V at Tenby in January 1921) but not when returning in the 1927/28 season.
After enduring a couple of winless seasons, the selling hurdlers Skipton and Miniver between them provided Harry with his last five wins. The latter gave him his eleventh and final victory when landing the Aston Selling Hurdle at Derby on January 19, 1932, beating Skrinkle Bay by a length and a half.
After enduring a couple of winless seasons, the selling hurdlers Skipton and Miniver between them provided Harry with his last five wins. The latter gave him his eleventh and final victory when landing the Aston Selling Hurdle at Derby on January 19, 1932, beating Skrinkle Bay by a length and a half.
He had his final ride 13 days later when Dime finished ninth of 17 starters in the Kilby Hurdle at Leicester. He began training later that year, launching a career that would last more than 30 years.
He had his final ride 13 days later when Dime finished ninth of 17 starters in the Kilby Hurdle at Leicester. He began training later that year, launching a career that would last more than 30 years.
He achieved his most important victories with Irish Dance in the 1949 Ayr Gold Cup, Grey Mairi in the 1962 Nunthorpe Stakes, and Rosie Wings in the inaugural running of Ayr’s Usher-Vaux Brewery Gold Tankard in 1962. Other significant successes included Goodwood’s Singleton Handicap and Manchester’s Salford Borough Handicap.
He achieved his most important victories with Irish Dance in the 1949 Ayr Gold Cup, Grey Mairi in the 1962 Nunthorpe Stakes, and Rosie Wings in the inaugural running of Ayr’s Usher-Vaux Brewery Gold Tankard in 1962. Other significant successes included Goodwood’s Singleton Handicap and Manchester’s Salford Borough Handicap.
Over jumps he won the National Trial Chase at Hurst Park and trained Gold Hyacinth to win nine races.
Over jumps he won the National Trial Chase at Hurst Park and trained Gold Hyacinth to win nine races.
He had two daughters, one of whom, Audrey, married jump jockey Sam McComb. They emigrated to Canada early in 1959, where Sam reinvented himself as a Flat jockey, enjoying plenty of success before taking up training, based at Fort Erie racecourse in Toronto.
He had two daughters, one of whom, Audrey, married jump jockey Sam McComb. They emigrated to Canada early in 1959, where Sam reinvented himself as a Flat jockey, enjoying plenty of success before taking up training, based at Fort Erie racecourse in Toronto.
Harry Whiteman died in 1983.
Harry Whiteman died in 1983.
His British winners as a jockey were, in chronological order:
His British winners as a jockey were, in chronological order:
1. The Doctor V, Hereford, March 24, 1913
1. The Doctor V, Hereford, March 24, 1913
2. Fair To Middling, Ludlow, February 18, 1914
2. Fair To Middling, Ludlow, February 18, 1914
3. Amnesty, Cheltenham, November 11, 1919
3. Amnesty, Cheltenham, November 11, 1919
4. The Doctor V, Hereford, April 5, 1920
4. The Doctor V, Hereford, April 5, 1920
5. The Doctor V, Cardiff, May 24, 1920
5. The Doctor V, Cardiff, May 24, 1920
6. The Doctor V, Tenby Hunt, January 13, 1921
6. The Doctor V, Tenby Hunt, January 13, 1921
7. Miniver, Shirley Park, September 4, 1929
7. Miniver, Shirley Park, September 4, 1929
8. Skipton, Warwick, February 4, 1930
8. Skipton, Warwick, February 4, 1930
9. Skipton, Leicester, February 24, 1930
9. Skipton, Leicester, February 24, 1930
10. Miniver, Ludlow, May 1, 1931
10. Miniver, Ludlow, May 1, 1931
11. Miniver, Derby, January 19, 1932
11. Miniver, Derby, January 19, 1932
Harry's first winner: The Doctor V, Hereford, March 24, 1913
Harry's final winner: Miniver, Derby, January 19, 1932
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