Harry: The Ride of My Life

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When Noel Harris - aka 'Handbrake Harry' - saluted the judge after the fourth race at Te Rapa in July 2008, he became just the fifth New Zealand jockey to join the exclusive 2000 winners club. Now, after 40 years in the saddle and a 'ride' that just keeps on keeping on, Harry has decided to tell his story. He first came to prominence back in the early 1970s when apprenticed to his legendary trainer-father, Jock Harris. He gained a deal of notoriety amongst the unforgiving Australian public early in his career for his ride on Glengowan in the 1973 Melbourne Cup when he was labelled a 'certainty beaten'. Since then, however, he has stamped his mark in New Zealand, Australia and Asia, picking up some of the biggest prizes in racing. He has won Premierships in New Zealand and Singapore and scored memorable wins in races like the Cox Plate in Australia and the Auckland and Wellington Cups. Noel Harris is the senior pro amongst the New Zealand jockey colonies and his trademark 'down the outside' rides continue to reap success. On top of that, he is one of the racing's great characters and, in a career which now spans five decades, this book promises to delight all followers of the Sport of Kings.

Author Bio

As a journalist, initially with Best Bets/Sunday News then later with the New Zealand Herald, Auckland Sun and, for 18 years, the Friday Flash, Wally O'Hearn often came into contact with the Harris family and he and Noel have been friends for many years.