Jessica Harrington
Jessica Jane Harrington (née Fowler, born 12 February 1947)[1] is an Irish professional horse trainer. Harrington specialises in National Hunt racing but has also had success in Flat racing.
Personal life
Harrington was born in London. Her father was Brigadier Bryan Fowler, an officer in the British Army, and her mother was Mary Walford. Brian Fowler was originally from Kells, County Meath and served with the Royal Artillery in both World Wars, and married Mary, who was a widow, in 1944. She had two children from her previous marriage.[1] Harrington had an older brother, John Fowler, who was also a racehorse trainer and died in an accident in 2008.[2] Brian Fowler left the army in 1949 and returned with his family to Ireland where Harrington spent her childhood. She did not go to school until she was aged twelve, being tutored. She then went to school at Hatherop in England for four years before going to a Finishing school in France.[1]
Jessica and her husband Johnny Harrington both shared a love for horses. She was married to him until his death from cancer in April 2014. Johnny owned a racehorse and was a bloodstock agent.[3] Together the couple had four children: James and Tara and Johnny’s from a previous relationship; Emma and Kate. As well, Jessica and Johnny had three sons-in-law, a daughter-in-law and seven grandchildren.[4]
Professional life
Even before Jessica got her training permit in 1989,[5] she had earned a reputation for being one of Ireland's top three-day event riders. She represented her country with credit on three levels: European, World and Olympic. In 1994, Jessica’s horse Oh So Grumpy earned himself (and indirectly Jessica) a “landmark success” at the Galway Hurdle. A couple of years later Dance Beat picked up Leopardstown's Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle.[6] By 1996 Jessica had earned a reputation for being linked to high profile horses. She then went on to enjoy six Cheltenham Festival victories, rendering her "one of the most successful current Irish trainers at the meeting." Her claims to fame include: he Moscow Flyer (which Jessica’s daughter Kate rode), Curtain Call, Bible Belt, Pathfork and Laughing Lashes.[7]
Wins
Over the years Harrington earned a reputation on the Flat. In September 2010 Pathfork won (National Stakes) .[8]
Major National Hunt wins
| Date | Venue | Race | Grade | Horse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Apr | Punchestown | Herald Champion Novice Hurdle | Grade 1 | Jezki |
| 13 Apr | Fairyhouse | Weatherbys Ireland GSB Hurdle | Grade 3 | One Fine Day |
| 12 Dec | Leopardstown | Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle | Grade 1 | Jezki |
| 12 Nov | Fairyhouse | Royal Bond Novice Hurdle | Grade 1 | Jezki |
| 12 Nov | Naas | Fishery Lane Hurdle | Grade 3 | Jezki |
| 11 Mar | Cheltenham | RSA Chase | Grade 1 | Boston's Angel |
| 11 Feb | Leopardstown | Deloitte Novice Hurdle | Grade 1 | Oscars Well |
| 11 Feb | Leopardstown | Dr P J Moriaty Novice Chase | Grade 1 | Boston's Angel |
| 11 Feb | Navan | Flying Bolt Novice Chase | Grade 2 | Saludos |
| 10 Dec | Leopardstown | Fort Leny Novice Chase | Grade 1 | Boston's Angel |
| 10 Dec | Navan | Navan Novice Hurdle | Grade 1 | Oscars Well |
| 10 Apr | Punchestown | Motivate Challenge | Grade A | Chasing Cars |
| 10 Feb | Doncaster | Bluesquare.com Mare's Hurdle | Grade 2 | Zarinava |
| 10 Feb | Navan | Johnstown Novice Hurdle | Grade 2 | Coole River |
| 10 Jan | Leopardstown | Synergy Security Novice Hurdle | Grade 2 | Coole River |
| 10 Jan | Leopardstown | MCR Novice Chase | Grade 2 | Roberto Goldback |
| 9 Jan | Leopardstwon | Synergy Security Novice Hurdle | Grade 2 | Roberto Goldback |
| 8 Feb | Leopardstown | betchronicle.com Spring Juvenile Hurdle | Grade 2 | Personal Column |
| 7 Mar | Cheltenham | Weatherbys Champion Bumper | Grade 1 | Cork All Star |
| 7 Apr | Fairyhouse | Dan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase | Grade A | Gemini Lucy |
| 7 Nov | Cheltenham | Champion Bumper | Grade 1 | Cork All Star |
| 6 Nov | Fairyhouse | Royal Bond Novice Hurdle | Grade 1 | Hide The Evidence |
| 6 Apr | Punchestown | ACC Bank Champion Hurdle | Grade 1 | Macs Joy |
| 6 Feb | Gowran Park | Red Mills Trial Hurdle | Grade 2 | Macs Joy |
| 6 Jan | Leopardstown | Pierse Hurdle | Grade B | Studmaster |
| 5 Apr | Aintree | Mumm Melling Chase | Grade 1 | Moscow Flyer |
| 5 Mar | Cheltenham | Queen Mother Champion Chase | Grade 1 | Moscow Flyer |
| 5 Feb | Leopardstown | AIG Champion Hurdle | Grade 1 | Macs Joy |
| 5 Feb | Leopardstown | Dr P J Moriaty Novice Chase | Grade 1 | Carigeen Victor |
| 5 Feb | Leopardtown | Irish Arkle Trophy | Grade 1 | Ulaan Bataar |
| 4 Dec | Leopardstown | December Festival Hurdle | Grade 1 | Macs Joy |
| 4 Dec | Sandown | Tingke Creek Chase | Grade 1 | Moscow Flyer |
| 4 Nov | Navan | Fortria Chase | Grade 2 | Moscow Flyer |
| 4 Apr | Punchestown | BETDAQ.com Champion Chase | Grade 1 | Moscow Flyer |
| 4 Apr | Aintree | Mumm Melling Chase | Grade 1 | Moscow Flyer |
| 4 Apr | Fairyhouse | Menolly Homes Handicap Hurdle | Grade A | Macs Joy |
| 3 Dec | Sandown | Tingke Creek Chase | Grade 1 | Moscow Flyer |
| 3 Nov | Navan | Fortria Chase | Grade 2 | Moscow Flyer |
| 3 Mar | Cheltenham | Queen Mother Champion Chase | Grade 1 | Moscow Flyer |
| 3 Mar | Uttoxeter | Midlands Grand National | Listed | Intelligent |
| 3 Mar | Cheltenham | County Hurdle | Grade 3 | Spirit Leader |
| 3 Feb | Newbury | Tote Gold Trophy | Grade 3 | Spirit Leader |
| 2 Dec | Sandown | William Hill Handicap Hurdle | Listed | Spirit Leader |
| 2 Apr | Punchestown | Swordlestown Cup | Grade 1 | Moscow Flyer |
| 2 Mar | Cheltenham | Arkle Trophy Chase | Grade 1 | Moscow Flyer |
| 1 Dec | Leopardstown | Denny Gold Medal Novice Chase | Grade 1 | Moscow Flyer |
| 1 Apr | Punchestown | ACC Bank Champion Hurdle | Grade 1 | Moscow Flyer |
| 1 Apr | Gowran Park | Kinloch Brae Chase | Grade 2 | Slaney Native |
| Nov 00 | Punchestown | Morgiana Hurdle | Grade 2 | Moscow Flyer |
| Apr 00 | Punchestown | Champion Novice Hurdle | Grade 1 | Moscow Flyer |
| Marc 99 | Cheltenham | Grand Annual Handicap Chase | Class B | Space Trucker |
| Mar 98 | Uttoxeter | Midlands Grand National | Listed | Miss Orchestra |
| Apr 96 | Punchestown | Champion Novice Hurdle | Grade 1 | Dance Beat |
| Apr 94 | Galway | Galway Hurdle | Grade 2 | Oh So Grumpy |
Major Flat wins
| Date | Venue | Race | Group | Horse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Sep | Curragh | Vincent O'Brien National Stakes | Group 1 | Pathfork |
| 10 Aug | Curragh | Futurity Stakes | Group 2 | Pathfork |
| 10 Aug | Curragh | Debutante Stakes | Group 2 | Laughing Lashes |
| 9 Jun | Curragh | Ballygallon Stud Stakes | Listed | Long Lashes |
| 9 Apr | Navan | Navan Sprint Stakes | Listed | Jumbajukiba |
| 8 Sep | Curragh | Ascon Rohcon Solonaway Stakes | Group 3 | Jumbajukiba |
| 8 Jul | Curragh | Keeneland Minstrel Stakes | Group 3 | Jumbajukiba |
| 8 Jun | Down Royal | Specsavers Ulster Derby | Premier H'Cap | Fantoche |
| 8 Apr | Curragh | Castlemartin Galdness Stakes | Group 3 | Jumbajukiba |
| 7 Oct | Curragh | Irish Cesarewitch | Premier H'Cap | Sandymount Earl |
| 7 Sep | Curragh | Juddmonte Beresford Stakes | Group 2 | Curtain Call |
| 7 Sep | Curragh | Ladbrokes.com Solonaway Stakes | Group 3 | Jumbajukiba |
| 7 Aug | Cork | Platinum Stakes | Listed | Jumbajukiba |
| 7 Jul | Curragh | Budweiser Premier Handicap | Premier H'Cap | Jumbajukiba |
| 5 Jun | Curragh | Balanchine Stakes | Listed | Sahara Princess |
| 4 Oct | Curragh | C.L Weld Park Stakes | Group 3 | Jazz Princess |
| 2 May | Curragh | Tote Premier Handicap | Premier H'Cap | Evening Scent |
| 2 May | Curragh | Betdaq Premier Handicap | Premier H'Cap | Private Ben |
References
- 1 2 3 Clower, Michael (2007). Kings of the Turf. London: Aurum. pp. 191–205. ISBN 1845132793.
- ↑ Mathieson, Amy. "Irish racehorse trainer John Fowler killed by falling tree". horseandhound.co.uk. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
- ↑ O'Hehir, Tony. "Henderson leads tributes to Johnny Harrington". Racing Post. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
- ↑ Anderson, Nicola. "World of horse racing comes out in force to pay respects to two stalwarts". Irish News. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
- ↑ "Jessica Harrington". British Champions Series. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
- ↑ "Meet Jessica Harrington". Jessica Harrington Racing. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
- ↑ "Juvenile Filly Laughing Lashes Captures Group 2 stakes". Runnymede Farm. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
- ↑ "Jessica Harrington". British Champions Series. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
- ↑ "Major Wins". Jessica Harrington Racing. Retrieved 13 January 2015.