Noel Harris, also known as "Harry" or "NGH", is a former jockey in Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand.[1] He is notable for having ridden 2,167 raceday winners in New Zealand which is the fourth highest total behind Chris Johnson, David Walsh and Lance O'Sullivan[2] and he has won the jockeys' premiership in both New Zealand and Singapore.
| Noel Harris | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Jockey |
| Born | New Zealand |
| Significant horses | |
| Castletown, Kingdom Bay, Poetic Prince | |
In 2018 Harris was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.
Riding career edit
Noel Harris was apprenticed at Woodville to his father, John William (Jock) Harris who was a leading jockey both on the flat and over jumps before becoming a horse trainer. Noel rode his first winner at Foxton on 16 May 1970 and took out the 1971–72 apprentice jockeys' premiership at 18-years-old before sharing the national jockeys' premiership with David Peake the following year.[3]
Harris achieved 34 Group One wins, including almost all of the major races, in New Zealand.[4]
Amongst his total is:
- three Wellington Cups on Castletown
- four New Zealand Cups
- three Auckland Cups
With eight 3200 metre cup wins in New Zealand, Harris shares the record with Bob Skelton.
As an 18 year old Noel rode the Jock Harris-trained Glengowan to a close second behind Gala Supreme in the 1973 Melbourne Cup. 34 years later he rode Princess Coup in the 2007 Cup.[5] His other rides on the first Tuesday in November included Kiwi's 4th placing in the 1986 Melbourne Cup and Castletown's 3rd in 1992.
His biography Harry, The Ride Of My Life by Wally O'Hearn was released in August 2012.
Noel retired in 2015 and became a National Riding mentor for apprentice jockeys.
Family edit
Noel's two oldest siblings, John and Des, were leading apprentice jockeys. Noel's three other siblings Peter, Karen and Jenny, were also jockeys.[6]
John, Des and Peter would go on to be horse trainers.
Noel's son Troy Harris is a successful jockey.
Notable victories edit
The following are some of the major races Noel has won.
| Year |
Race |
Horse |
Trainer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | WRC George Adams Handicap | Egmont Park | Brain Deacon |
| 1976 | New Zealand 1000 Guineas | Porsha | Bill & Graeme Sanders |
| 1984 | New Zealand 2000 Guineas | Kingdom Bay | J G Taylor |
| 1987 | Ormond Memorial | Secret Seal | Jeff Lynds |
| 1988 | Cox Plate | Poetic Prince | John Wheeler |
| 1990 | Bayer Classic | Eagle Eye | Murray Baker |
| 1990 | Sydney Cup | King Aussie | John Harris |
| 1991 | Wellington Cup | Castletown | Patrick Busuttin |
| 1991 | Ormond Memorial | Castletown | Patrick Busuttin |
| 1992 | Auckland Cup | Castletown | Patrick Busuttin |
| 1992 | Wellington Cup | Castletown | Patrick Busuttin |
| 1994 | Wellington Cup | Castletown | Patrick Busuttin |
| 1995 | New Zealand 1000 Guineas | Clear Rose | Laurie Laxon |
| 1999 | Thorndon Mile | Surface | Noel Eales |
| 1999 | New Zealand Cup | Wake Forest | Gus Clutterbuck |
| 1999 | Auckland Cup | Irish Chance | Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill |
| 2000 | New Zealand Derby | Hail | Bruce Marsh |
| 2001 | Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes | San Luis | Chris McNab |
| 2002 | New Zealand 2000 Guineas | Hustler | Paul Harris |
| 2002 | New Zealand Cup | Mike | Paul Harris |
| 2003 | Auckland Cup | Bodie | Neil Connors |
| 2006 | New Zealand Cup | Pentathon | John Wheeler |
| 2007 | Kelt Capital Stakes | Princess Coup | Mark Walker |
| 2007 | New Zealand Cup | Everswindell | John Sargent |
| 2008 | Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes | Il Quello Veloce | John Sargent |
| 2014 | Awapuni Gold Cup | Soriano | Graeme & Debbie Rogerson |
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Noel Harris / Jockey Profile / RaceInfo / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "Jockeys With More Than 100 New Zealand Wins". www.racebase.co.nz.
- ^ "A - Z of New Zealand greats - Noel Harris". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "Noel Harris hopes to net world record in farewell performance". Stuff. 3 April 2015.
- ^ "Racing: Veteran jockey has waited 34 years for Cup redemption". NZ Herald.
- ^ Desk, NZ Racing. "Farewell to a great racing contributor | NZ Racing News".
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