Noted for his dapper appearance and meticulous business-like manner to training race horses, Martin Hartigan turned Foxhill stables in Wiltshire, into a powerhouse during his career that even rivalled the larger public yards such as Newmarket.
Operating almost exclusively under the flamboyant financier and sportsman, James “Jimmy” White, Hartigan’s influence on the sport was particularly notable.
A Game Changing Appointment
Arguably, Hartigan’s greatest contributions to the sport started in 1920 when he hired 15-year-old Gordon Richards (who went on to be knighted), after he responded to a newspaper advertisement that Hartigan had placed seeking lightweight apprentice boys.
This would eventually sky-rocket Foxhill into the centre of the racing universe. Under Hartigan, Richards developed into arguably one of the greatest jockeys ever to grace the sport.
Showing a natural aptitude from the beginning, Hartigan nurtured the young Richards becoming somewhat of a father figure as the duo dominated the sport throughout the 1930s and 1940s.
It was a remarkable partnership and because of everything that Hartigan had done for him, Richards stayed loyal until he retired, even turning down lucrative offers from owners including Aga Khan.
Hartigan’s Horses That Dominated
Without a doubt one of the most successful horses under Hartigan’s hand was Gay Lord, who handed Richard’s his first win at Leicester and one that became synonymous under the duo.
Hartigan was also a consistent force in the “Classics”, again with Richards being a key component, the most notable victory coming in the 1000 Guineas.
One of Hartigan’s most significant was the filly Rose Of England who won the Oaks in 1930 and became a highly influential broodmare, producing the Classic winner, Chulmleigh.
Another notable high-class filly was Enid who proved Hartigan’s ability to ready and peak a horse for the early season Newmarket Classics. Meanwhile, Golden Myth was another that he had considerable success with, noted for his staying power, winning the rare and grueling “Ascot Double” in 1922 which included the Gold Cup and Queen Alexandra Stakes (the longest race in the British flat racing calendar) in the same week.
A Family Legacy In Racing
Hartigan was part of a larger horse racing family. His brother Frank Hartigan was successful in his own right as a trainer from his base at Weyhill, specialising in both flat and jump racing.
Meanwhile, in the early 1920s, following the tragic death of his other brother Paddy in an accident, he took over his horses, shifting his base of operations and taking Richards with him.
Later in his career, Hartigan also mentored the legendary dual-purpose jockey, Martin Molony, who was an apprentice at his yard before the start of World War II.
At a time when racing could be chaotic, Hartigan became known for his professional standard, maintaining an integrity in his methods that were passed down to Richards.
Without a doubt, it was Hartigan’s mentorship that shaped the careers of top jockeys like Richards and Molony and today he remains one of the greatest influences on the sport.