Noel Harris

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
OccupationJockey
BornNew Zealand
Significant horses
Castletown, Kingdom Bay, Poetic Prince

In 2018 Harris was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.

Riding career

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:

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 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

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

The following are some of the major races Noel has won.

Year
 Race
 Horse
 Trainer(s)
1984New Zealand 2000 GuineasKingdom BayJ G Taylor
1987Ormond MemorialSecret SealJeff Lynds
1988Cox PlatePoetic PrinceJohn Wheeler
1990Sydney CupKing AussieJohn Harris
1991Wellington CupCastletownPatrick Busuttin
1991Ormond MemorialCastletownPatrick Busuttin
1992Auckland CupCastletownPatrick Busuttin
1992Wellington CupCastletownPatrick Busuttin
1994Wellington CupCastletownPatrick Busuttin
1995New Zealand 1000 GuineasClear RoseLaurie Laxon
1999New Zealand CupWake ForestGus Clutterbuck
1999Auckland CupIrish ChanceColin Jillings & Richard Yuill
2000New Zealand DerbyHailBruce Marsh
2001Manawatu Sires Produce StakesSan LuisChris McNab
2002New Zealand 2000 GuineasHustlerPaul Harris
2002New Zealand CupMikePaul Harris
2003Auckland CupBodieNeil Connors
2006New Zealand CupPentathonJohn Wheeler
2007Kelt Capital StakesPrincess CoupMark Walker
2007New Zealand CupEverswindellJohn Sargent
2008Manawatu Sires Produce StakesIl Quello VeloceJohn Sargent

See also

References
  1. "Noel Harris / Jockey Profile / RaceInfo / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  2. "Jockeys With More Than 100 New Zealand Wins". www.racebase.co.nz.
  3. "A - Z of New Zealand greats - Noel Harris". loveracing.nz.
  4. "Noel Harris hopes to net world record in farewell performance". Stuff. 3 April 2015.
  5. "Racing: Veteran jockey has waited 34 years for Cup redemption". NZ Herald.
  6. Desk, NZ Racing. "Farewell to a great racing contributor | NZ Racing News".


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