Harry Wragg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harry Wragg |
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Harry Wragg, in the colours of Sir H. Cunliffe-Owen (Gallaher's cigarette card, 1936)
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| Occupation | Jockey Trainer |
| Born | 10 June 1902 Sheffield, England |
| Died | 20 October 1985 (aged 83) |
| Career wins | 1,762 as a jockey |
| Major racing wins | |
| British Classic Race wins as jockey: 2000 Guineas (1) 1000 Guineas (3) Epsom Derby (3) Epsom Oaks (4) St. Leger Stakes (2) British Classic Race wins as trainer: 2000 Guineas (1) 1000 Guineas (2) Epsom Derby (1) St. Leger Stakes (1) |
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| Racing awards | |
| British flat racing Champion Jockey (1941) | |
| Significant horses | |
| Felstead, Blenheim, Rockfel, Watling Street, Herringbone, Sun Stream, Garden Path, Darius, Psidium, Abermaid, Intermezzo, Teenoso. | |
Harry Wragg (born June 10, 1902 – died October 20, 1985) was a famous British jockey and racehorse trainer. People called him "The Head Waiter" because of his special riding style. He liked to let his horse stay behind and then rush forward at the very end to win!
During his 27 years as a jockey, Harry Wragg won over 1,700 races. These included three big wins in the Derby and ten other important British Classic Races. After he stopped riding, he became a very successful trainer for 36 years. He trained many winning horses, including five more classic race champions. Harry Wragg retired in 1982 and passed away three years later.
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Meet Harry Wragg: Early Life and Family
Harry Wragg was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, on June 10, 1902. Even though his family wasn't directly involved in horse racing, his father, Arthur, was a good amateur boxer and athlete.
Harry wasn't the only one in his family who loved horses. Two of his younger brothers also became successful jockeys! Sam Wragg (1909–1983) won three classic races, including the Derby. His other brother, Arthur Wragg (1912–1954), was also a top jockey.
Harry Wragg's Amazing Riding Career
Harry Wragg started riding horses when he was a young teenager. He moved to Newmarket, a famous horse racing town, and became an apprentice to trainer George Colling. He rode his very first winner in 1919. Soon, important people in horse racing noticed his talent.
In 1925, Harry had his first big win. He rode a horse named Polyphontes to victory in the Eclipse Stakes. This was just the start of his amazing career.
The "Head Waiter" Riding Style
Harry Wragg became known for his smart and tactical riding style. Back then, most jockeys liked to lead the race from the very beginning. But Harry had a different idea. He preferred to hold his horse back, saving its energy for a powerful burst at the end. This clever way of riding earned him his famous nickname, "The Head Waiter".
In 1928, Harry showed off his unique style in the Derby. He rode a horse called Felstead, which was a big underdog with odds of 33/1. The race started very fast, and many of the top horses got tired quickly. Harry kept Felstead calm and waited. Then, in the last part of the race, he made his move. Felstead surged forward and won easily, setting a new record time!
Big Wins and Challenges as a Jockey
After his Derby win, Harry Wragg became the main jockey for Felstead's trainer, Oswald "Ossie" Bell. In the 1930s, he also worked closely with trainer Jack Jarvis. For Jarvis, he won the St Leger race in 1931 and the 1000 Guineas in 1934.
In 1938, he rode a fantastic filly named Rockfel. Harry said she was the best horse he ever rode! Together, they won the Oaks and the Champion Stakes. Harry won his second Derby in 1930 on a horse called Blenheim.
Of course, not every race was perfect. In 1932, Harry broke his leg in a fall at Newcastle Racecourse. But he always came back strong.
Becoming Champion Jockey and Wartime Racing
From 1931 to 1953, another famous jockey, Gordon Richards, won almost every jockey championship. The only time he didn't win was in 1941. That year, Gordon was injured, and Harry Wragg stepped up! Harry rode 71 winners, including a special wartime Oaks race, and became the British flat racing Champion Jockey.
During World War II, Harry Wragg served in the Royal Artillery. He reached the rank of sergeant. In 1942, Harry won his third Derby on a horse named Watling Street. He used his "waiting tactics" again, taking the lead just 50 yards from the finish line. Before the war ended, he won more classic races on horses like Herringbone, Sun Stream, and Garden Path.
Harry Wragg stopped riding at the end of 1946. His last big win as a jockey was the Oaks on a horse called Steady Aim.
Harry Wragg's Successful Training Career
After retiring as a jockey, Harry Wragg started a new career as a horse trainer in 1947. His training stable was called Abington Place in Newmarket. In his very first year, his horses won 25 races!
His first major training win came in 1948. Then, in 1954, he trained his first classic winner, a horse named Darius, who won the 2000 Guineas.
Derby Wins and New Methods
In 1961, Harry trained his first Derby winner as a trainer. A horse named Psidium, who wasn't expected to win, surprised everyone at odds of 66/1! In 1962, Abermaid won the 1000 Guineas. Later, in 1969, Harry had a fantastic year, winning two classic races: the 1000 Guineas with Full Dress and the St Leger with Intermezzo.
Harry Wragg was always open to new ideas in training. He would weigh his horses and time their training runs. These methods were not common in Britain at the time, but Harry used them to help his horses perform their best. He also liked to race his horses in other countries, winning big races in Italy and Germany.
Retirement and Legacy
Harry Wragg retired from training in 1982. He passed his famous Abington Place stable to his son, Geoff. In his last year of training, Harry worked with a young horse named Teenoso. This horse went on to win the Derby in 1983 and another big race, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, in 1984!
Harry's other son, Peter, became a bloodstock agent, helping people buy and sell racehorses. His daughter, Susan, married jockey Manny Mercer. Sadly, Manny passed away in 1959 after a racing accident.
Harry Wragg passed away in October 1985 at 83 years old. He is buried in Newmarket Cemetery. In 1999, a special list ranked him as the 7th best jockey of the 20th century. People also remembered him as the only great flat jockey who also became a great trainer!
Popular Culture
Harry Wragg's name has even appeared in popular culture! The band The Kinks had a song called "Harry Rag" on their 1967 album. Also, the Scottish football team Partick Thistle F.C. are sometimes called The Harry Wraggs in rhyming slang.
Images for kids
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Harry Wragg, in the colours of Sir H. Cunliffe-Owen (Gallaher's cigarette card, 1936)
