Trainer Talk: Harry Brown
- pporacommittee
- 12 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Lucas Murphy (son of former top jockey Timmy) may have hit the headlines when winning on Bass Rock at Chaddesley Corbett on Sunday, but credit is definitely due to the horse’s young trainer – 20-year-old Harry Brown – who was also achieving a maiden success, having come so close to doing so with Magical Escape at Larkhill before Christmas. Harry, who trains a handful of pointers from Georgina Nicholls’ yard at Kingston Lisle near Lambourn, hopes to get off the mark in the saddle this season too, and Jake Exelby spoke to him about his background, the reasons behind his move to the South Midlands, and his dream of riding over the famous Aintree fences.
Talk me through your career in racing so far and how you got into point-to-pointing in the first place?
I grew up on my parents farm in Devon, just five minutes from Upcott Cross point-to-point course and I’ve ridden all my life, starting off in pony club.
I started pony racing aged nine, on my hunting pony, then bought Little Bull from the McCains – we won two races, at Wolverhampton and Buckfastleigh. When I got a bit heavy for that, I focused on showjumping.
My Mum, Sue, had a couple of pointers – Mountain Las and Exit Plan – around the time of Covid and I used to ride them out before school. Then, in 2021, I went to the British Racing School in Newmarket. After that, I worked as pupil assistant to Oliver Sherwood, then went to work for Georgie when she was still training pointers.
Talk me through your riding career to date
When I was 17, I moved back home and we bought a pointer called Ramble On from Luke Price – he’d won ten races. I rode him, along with Fitzburg, in the 2022/2023 season, then went to Syd Hosie’s to be his amateur jockey. I built up our string a bit and it was quite hectic, so I didn’t ride the next year – I couldn’t do the training and riding together, so Chad Bament rode most of my runners.
How did the connection with Charlotte Leary, who trained Ramble On for you, come about?
Charlotte’s a friend of my parents, and Mum was looking for someone to take over the training of her horses.
Why did you move from Devon to work for Tim Underwood last year?
I wanted to get back into riding and my friend Molly Landau, who had ridden for Tim, suggested I give him a call. I rode a few for him, although not as many as I’d hoped. He’s a great character!
And how did the opportunity to return to train from Georgina Nicholls’ base arise?
She was short-staffed last winter, and Tim’s based not far away, so I started riding out for Georgie. I knew that (her daughter) Olive was going back to Ditcheat to work for her Dad, so I became Georgie’s assistant and trainer of the pointers.
How many horses do you expect to run this season?
I’ve run three so far – Bass Rock, Magical Escape and the maiden Kanitamay. All Loved Up will be ridden by Hugh Lillingston, whose family own her, Arthur's Sixpence may run in points – although if he goes Hunter Chasing, he’ll run in Georgie’s name – and there might be a couple more youngsters.
What’s it like training for a high-profile owner like Raymond Anderson Green (who is Lucas Murphy’s grandfather)?
I don’t feel much pressure, to be honest. Most owners of the pointers have had horses with Georgie under rules and she’s very good – she helps me a lot, which makes things much easier.
What were your emotions on Sunday after training your first winner? Did it make it more difficult having Lucas – a novice, yet high profile due to his background, jockey – on board?
Bass Rock had been running well without winning for Georgie and, with Lucas having turned 16, we thought we’d have a go pointing with him. I thought he’d be bang there on his rules form, although I knew he could be cagey at his fences. It was only Lucas’ second ride, and the horse was quite burly, so I thought he’d come on for the run, but they bolted up.
It didn’t feel difficult. Lucas has been to ride out a lot – his family live just down the road – and is a nice lad. And Ray’s been a big supporter of Georgie since she started. I was really happy that Lucas had his first win in the family colours.
Which horse do you think is likely to give you your first win in the saddle?
It could well be Magical Escape – he ran so well at Larkhill. He’s owned by Willie and Mandy Bryan, who used to own Arthur’s Sixpence, and they’ve leased him to be for the season. He lost his way for Kim Bailey, so we went to Larkhill with a question mark, but he seemed to enjoy it, so onwards and upwards!
Arthur’s Sixpence – now owned by Georgie – is another talented horse who’s not far off a run.
When you started out, you admit you couldn’t train and ride at the same time. What’s changed?
In Devon, I was doing everything on my own. Now I’m part of a much bigger team, with more people to help. It works being based at Georgie’s, and near Lambourn.
What are you most looking forward to about the rest of the season?
It’s been a great start, with a winner and second from just three runners. Magical Escape can hopefully step up to Hunter Chases, and it would be good if Bass Rock can keep going to give Lucas more experience and pick up a couple more wins.
As a rider, I’m hoping to get my Category B licence (to ride against professionals). Arthur’s Sixpence is being aimed at Aintree, and it would be great to have a go over the big fences. I’d like to ride a winner for Georgie – I’ve only had one ride for her, coming second on the flat at Bath on Colinski.
What are your ambitions in pointing and racing – both as a jockey and trainer?
I prefer the riding side of things and would love to turn professional. While, as I said, I’m tall, my weight’s OK.
Which has been your favourite horse?
Ramble On. He’s just a legend.
Which horse (not one of your own mounts) would you most like to ride?
If I could ride anything tomorrow, it would be Shantou Flyer (who was placed three times in the Cheltenham Foxhunters, latterly for Olive Nicholls).
Which other jockeys do you admire? And which trainers?
It’s hard to look beyond Sean Bowen under rules, although I’m tall – six foot three inches – so I can’t ride like him! Of the taller jockeys, it would be Brendan Powell.
In pointing, Josh Newman, as both jockey and trainer. Everything of his seems to improve by two stone. And it would be rude not to say Georgie!
What's your favourite course?
Trebudannon. I’ve no idea why, as I’ve never ridden anything nice round there. But the viewing’s great and it’s like a Scalextric track – it’s so tight. The bend into the home straight is about 180 degrees!
What do you enjoy most about pointing?
I’ve been going pointing as long as I can remember, particularly to Upcott Cross. It’s a good day out, with lots of people you know, and you can get close to the horses.
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
I’d stop having so many fixtures over Easter and having fixtures in the same area on the same weekend. There are too many walkovers and match races.
What would you be doing if you weren’t involved with horses?
I’d be very bored! I used to play a lot of football – I was in the juniors at Exeter City – so suppose I’d do that.
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