‘Dad and I both have the same aim, which is to get the best out of every individual horse at whatever level,’ says Harriet Edmunds, who is the daughter of successful National Hunt trainer Stuart.
It isn’t difficult to see how Harriet is now working in racing as the sport is in her blood. Aside from her Dad, cousin Sam Jones was a jockey, who won the 2007 Coral Cup on Burntoakboy for Dr Richard Newland and he’s now a huntsman. She’s been emersed in horseracing ever since she was little. When her Dad was assistant to Peter and Renee Robeson, who trained the very talented Olney Lad, Harrier grew up in Tyringham, just outside Milton Keynes, on their farm.
Now, Harriet, 27, is assistant trainer for her dad, and she does much of the travelling with the yard’s runners. It is a winning combination, having had a brilliant season last winter. Training the winner of the 2024 Topham Chase with Arizona Cardinal was the pinnacle. ‘Aintree was amazing,’ reflects Harriet. ‘Usually, I am leading up and I go off with the horse but Dad and I got to celebrate that win together, which meant a lot.’
The business is very family orientated with mum Trisha being a vital cog behind the scenes. ‘She looks after owners when they visit the yard and comes racing if I’m going far away,’ explains Harriet, adding with a laugh, ‘and looks after Dad.’
As well as exercising the horses in training, Harriet regularly showjumps Rocket, who she evented up to advanced level. As another string to her bow of equestrianism, Harriet has recently branched out into ROR competitions on the former racehorse trained by her dad, Gentleman At Arms (Arthur). A winner of three hurdle races, his talent has continued under Harriet, already qualifying for the finals at Hickstead, Aintree and the dressage finals at Blenheim. This success portrays Harriet’s aptitude as a horsewoman – proving that whatever discipline she tries her hand at, she’s successful.
Harriet lives in Stewkley, not far from the yard, with boyfriend Becher Chase-winning jockey, Charlie Hammond (pictured above) and her beloved border terrier Ruby. Her bubbly enthusiasm and big smile are infectious but behind which lies a staunch willpower to succeed and, just like her father, work hard. The Edmunds apple certainly doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Did you have a horsey childhood? I’ve ridden fir as long as I remember. One of my first memories was sitting on one of Mrs Robeson’s racehorses called Wren Warbler, who was a relation of Marsh Wren who we train now, and I was so little, I could barely keep my head up!
Since a young age, I have always evented and used to ride for the Duchess of Bedford on a pony called Thumper, and we were under-eighteen champions. I was also really lucky to ride a lot of ponies for Mr and Mrs Robeson.
What is your first racing memory? I remember always standing outside the stables waiting for Mum and Dad or waiting outside the parade ring. One of my vivid childhood memories was when we all went to Punchestown when I was nine. Olney Lad won and was the only British winner of the meeting. Even though I was tiny, I remember it being amazing.
When did you realise you wanted to follow in your Dad’s footsteps? Ironically, I always said that I’d never work for my dad but I gradually got more and more involved. When I was riding the eventers, I used to ride the racehorses to earn a bit of money. The more I got involved, the more fascinated I became with the training side and the buzz. Now, I don’t know what else I would do.
Favourite racecourse: Aintree, whether it’s for a big meeting or a smaller meeting. I love the facilities there and the excitement of the Randox festival is unbeatable. My choice is helped that we’ve had a lot of success there but I’ve always loved it there.
Favourite meeting: The Grand National meeting, where the atmosphere is the best. The Cheltenham Festival is very serious, whereas I find Aintree a lot of fun.
Favourite canteen: Catterick. The cakes are so good and make the long journey home so much easier.
Favourite jockey: I suppose, I have to say Charlie, but growing up, it was always Ruby Walsh. I actually got to meet him on that visit to Punchestown and I had my picture taken with him. Jimmy McCarthy rode for Dad at the time and he organised it. It’s my favourite childhood memory.
Favourite racehorses: I looked after Maria’s Benefit who was just the loveliest mare and an absolute machine.
My absolute favourites that I’ve looked after over the years are Rowland Ward, Mexico and Gentleman At Arms.
Currently in training, I look after a really nice horse called Bluegrass – he came from Aidan O’Brien’s and is lovely.
Best days in racing so far: An amazing day that I’ll never forget is when Maria’s Benefit won her fifth race on the bounce. That was at Doncaster and was the Grade 2 Yorkshire Rose.
We also had a double at the Aintree Festival in 2021 with Rowland Ward and Hometown Boy. Plus, the Topham last season was amazing. It still hasn’t really sunk in. At the Aintree double, there wasn’t any crowds due to covid. It was very different to the craziness of winning the Topham with crowds and cheering.
Which trainers would you like to work for? I was around Renee Robeson when my dad was assistant but I haven’t really been other places yet. I’d love to go to Peter Bowen’s and go again to Dr Richard Newland’s. When we were building our deep sand gallop at the new yard, I went there to ride on the Dr’s one. I’d obviously love to go to Willie Mullins’ but that’s a whole different world!
Were you ever a jockey? I’ve ridden in one charity race at Warwick. I won it and then I retired! I often think about getting my Flat license but, with everything that’s going on, I’m too busy.
What disciplines do you compete in now? Since I finished eventing, I still compete in showjumping on Rocky at 1 meter, 30 centimetres. I also do ROR on Gentleman At Arms and, in the future, I’d like to event him.
What do you love about racing? The horses. I get too far attached. I sadly lost two of my favourites – Rowland Ward and Mexico – and I lost my heart for racing a bit but it’s coming back.
What changes do you wish could be made to working in racing? The industry needs to acknowledge that racing calendar. In its current state, it puts a lot of strain on staff: all the long drives, late getting back and having to get up early again. The people at the top don’t know how physically and mentally draining it is.
Harriet showjumping Rocket and with Gentleman At Arms now and then
What type of boss is your Dad? I always say that Dad doesn’t mince his words, you know how he’s feeling and where you stand. He’s very good to work for. He’s never afraid to put the graft in and he’s very knowledgeable, so I learn a lot from him.
We have the occasional argument but it doesn’t last for long.
Does your Dad have any sayings about training racehorses you now say yourself?! Dad has always said he wants to train quality over quantity but you have to have the quantity to get the quality.
How did your trip to Thurles come about? Taking Marsh Wren to Thurles for a Listed mares’ chase was the idea up in the sky of Ben Turner, who runs her syndicate and he put it up to Dad. So, we entered her. When the entries came out, the race didn’t look too bad so we thought we’d be brave and take the chance. Marsh Wren is so tough so we always knew she’d give a hundred per cent.
The whole two days were amazing, even though I was dying from tonsillitis. I couldn’t speak at all – there was a lot of pointing – but the Irish were amazing. There were the most supportive, friendly crowds I’ve ever known – so many people came up to me to say well done that it took me an hour to collect my colour bag. The whole experience is one I’ll never forget. If a similar race comes again then we’ll definitely go back again…
Hopes and dreams for the future: It’s very boring but just to keep training winners and to keep our owners happy.
I’ve just started doing my NVQ Level 3 to maybe go on the trainer’s license in the future. Dad hadn’t mentioned anything before but when, recently, he said that I’d better start my Level 3, I did so straight away.
Favourite meal: I love any pasta.
Favourite drink: A porn star martini.
Favourite snack: Percy Pigs.
Favourite holiday destination: Mykonos – we’ve had some lovely holidays there.
Favourite film: It’s between a Star Is Born and About Time – both make me cry.
Favourite music: This is old school but it’s Abba. I always put Abba on in the lorry and that gets me through all the driving. Going racing is a constant stream of Abba and Percy Pigs!
Favourite book: My favourite read is Normal People by Sally Rooney, which I read after watching the TV series. Ugly Love and It Ends With Us, both by Colleen Hoover, are pretty good too.
Other hobbies/interests: I don’t really have much time for hobbies but I love my showjumping and eventing. I do love spending time with my dog, especially going for walks.
The Edmunds Family at Cheltenham Racecourse
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