THE Harty family can trace its Irish racing roots back to 1860 when John Harty rode winners. At that time jockeys were licenced but trainers were not, so it is possible there were family members training even then.

Three generations later came Cyril Harty who was a star show jumper for the Irish Army in the 1930s. He later trained thoroughbreds and won the Irish Grand Natonal with Knights Crest in 1944.