This week brought the news that one of the most popular hurdlers of the 21st Century had set sail for the pastures in the sky, following the death of Harchibald at the grand old age of 25.
Undoubtedly talented, what set Harchibald apart was the effortless manner in which he travelled through his races, with the majority of his successes featuring a near-motionless Paul Carberry in the saddle.
Labelled enigmatic in some quarters, Harchibald simply liked to do things his own way – appearing to live by the motto, “Why win under a vigorous ride when you can win on the bridle?”. Here, we look back at the career of this hurdling great, including his biggest wins and the glorious defeat for which he will forever be remembered.
Hail the King, our King is dead….Harchi was my favourite horse of all time. I know on occasions he annoyed people and for sure he annoyed me but we had great days together, @paulcarberry Harchi & myself…never to be forgotten & I’d like to thank Johnny & Danielle Hurley for… https://t.co/BsUjwm1ckd
— Noel Meade Racing (@tuvastables) May 14, 2024
Spectacular in Victory
Racing for the last time in an all-weather flat contest at Dundalk in November 2009, Harchibald retired with a record of 14 wins from 48 career starts and a prize money haul of over £500,000. That tally included four flat successes, but Harchibald shone brightest when sent over hurdles.
From his base at the County Meath yard of Noel Meade, Harchibald took his electric jumping and silky smooth style to the biggest and best of the British and Irish events. Despite belonging to the same era as the likes of Newmill, Punjabi, Katchit, Brave Inca, and Rooster Booster, the lovable bay finished in the first three in 10 of 16 starts in Grade 1 company, including the following five headline-grabbing wins.
- 2004 Fighting Fifth Hurdle – Never off the bridle in proving 2l too good for three-time Stayers’ Hurdle champ Inglis Drever
- 2004 Christmas Hurdle – More than 20 lengths behind on the turn for home, Harchibald sauntered into contention, for once having to be pushed along to pull clear of Champion Hurdle king Rooster Booster
- 2005 John James McManus Memorial Hurdle – Harchibald’s task was made easier with the final fence departure of Solerina, but, as ever, he appeared well on top at the time and comfortably held off Galway Plate hero Ansar
- 2007 Fighting Fifth Hurdle – Without a win in two years, Harchibald bounced right back to his best at Gosforth Park, with Champion Hurdle winner Katchit and Grade 1 star Al Eile no match for his late finishing burst
- 2008 Christmas Hurdle – Harchibald’s final Grade 1, and the last win of his career, proved an emphatic rebuttal to those who claimed he found nothing off the bridle. Bumped by a faller and uncharacteristically clattering the last, the nine-year-old was all heart on the run-in to deny the surging Snap Tie
Memorable in Defeat
Despite so much success, when most punters think of Harchibald, it is a defeat which comes to mind – namely that which occurred in the 2005 edition of the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
In a stacked field, Harchibald arrived in his customary manner, cantering all over his rivals as they made the turn for home. Watching the race back, we still think he is going to win as he takes the last under a motionless Paul Carberry, but of course, he didn’t. No victory on the day, but Harchibald earned himself a place in racing folklore to complement his Grade 1 highlights reel.