09 August 2011 Popular Pointer Carryonharry retired
by Carolyn Tanner
CARRYONHARRY: The popular Point-to-Pointer has been retired- although not without a bit of a celebration!
One of the most prolific Ladies' horses of recent seasons, Carryonharry, has been retired at the age of 17.
Successful in nine races under Rules from Martin Pipe's yard, Harry made the move to racing between the flags in 2006, since when he has been trained by Emma Leppard for her mother, Heather Silk, and Richard Purkis.
His final tally in the amateur sphere was 20 Point-to-Point victories plus two Hunter Chases, one the Gerrard Ladies' Final at Huntingdon and the other the Ladies' race at Stratford, both in 2006.
He was partnered in both outings last season by Rose Grissell in Novice Riders' races, but it was Cynthia Haydon who was on board for all his triumphs, so it was hardly surprising that Harry was the guest of honour at her wedding on Saturday! Apparently the grey was on his best behaviour, something for which he has not been famous in the past, leading some of the racing fraternity present to inquire (erroneously) whether he might have been tranquillised for the occasion!
One of those paying Harry special attention was Cynthia's grandmother, also Cynthia Haydon, probably the best-known name of all time in the world of Hackney horse and pony driving.
"Who knows what we're going to do with him!" said Emma of her charge, for whom retirement is not a word he knows. "I think he thought he was in the winner's enclosure at Cynthia's wedding because people were making such a fuss of him, so maybe he needs a few functions to go to!"
