Harry – The ‘hands-on’ trainer

Now flying through his eighth season as a trainer, Harry Whittington has always had racing in his blood.  His Grandfather, the late Colin Nash, was a very successful point-to-point and Hunter Chase owner/breeder/trainer and is most famous for giving Richard Dunwoody his first winner. Harry learnt his trade under top pre-trainer/consigner and ex-jockey Malcolm Bastard.  These important years gave him the grounding and knowledge in the discipline of caring for racehorses, as well as how to select quality thoroughbreds at bloodstock sales internationally. After gaining valuable experience with Malcolm, in 2007 Harry set up his own breaking-in and pre-training business at Hill Barn Stables.  During a 5 year period, support came from owner-breeders, as well as trainers Tom Dascombe and latterly Nicky Henderson. In 2010,  Nicky Henderson gave Harry the opportunity to set up a satellite yard at Hill Barn.  This not only gave Harry and his team the opportunity to handle quality young racehorses, including the likes of My Tent Or Yours and Finian's Rainbow but also the understanding of how to run a successful business. During these years Harry put his experience to good use, buying and selling young stock.  He showed he was an excellent judge of a horse when buying John’s Spirit as a 3yo store horse, which he sold to Jonjo O'Neill at the breeze up sales in 2010. So after a successful spell as a satellite/pre training yard, Harry chose to take out a licence to train in September 2012 and hasn’t looked back.  He is an outstanding horseman and an excellent judge of a horse.  Buying quality for value is central to his philosophy.  When sourcing horses, Harry will attend various sales throughout the year, attempting to buy those that tick all the necessary boxes and strengthen the depth of the yard.  Harry is committed to buying quality horses and, with plenty of space for expansion, the future is bright.