Paul Carberry remembers ‘machine’ Harchibald
“I rode a lot of good horses but he was definitely my favourite.”
Paul Carberry has hailed Harchibald as “a total machine of a horse” as he paid tribute to Noel Meade’s hurdling great following his death at he age of 25. Some would say Harchibald and his ever-loyal pilot were a match made in heaven, with Carberry’s style and ice-cool nerve perfect to maximise the son of Perugino’s quirky personality but undoubted ability. The duo linked up 28 times together on the racecourse, returning to the winner’s enclosure nine times, and while both would become popular racing figures in their own right, their affinity for each other stood the test of time. Meade described Harchibald as his favourite horse upon the news of his death and that sentiment has been echoed by Carberry, who holds his former mount in the highest esteem.“He was a serious horse and my favourite horse as well I suppose,” said Carberry. “Noel said he was his favourite horse, but he was my favourite too. He was a quirky character but a total machine of a horse. “He had so much ability and his quirkiness meant he was the type of horse I liked to ride. He was one you had to land on the line and you couldn’t go too soon on him. “His jumping was also very good and he was the best hurdler I ever rode – he was very fast and I suppose that is what made him pretty special.”
📆 March 15, 2005📍@CheltenhamRaces
🗣️”Harchibald hasn’t been asked a question yet!” Remember this incredible finish to the 2005 Champion Hurdle? 😲#CheltenhamFestival #IconicMoments pic.twitter.com/uTaGdloTFr — Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 3, 2019
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