Eddie Harty, the only Olympian to win the Grand National, has died at 88, just days after his wife Patricia passed away. The Irish racing legend, part of a prominent dynasty, leaves a legacy in jockeying and training. His family described the couple as inseparable, with son Eddie calling the timing uncanny.
Eddie Harty, born Edward Patrick Harty on June 10, 1937, passed away at the age of 88, as announced by Harty Racing on social media on February 11, 2026. His death came shortly after that of his wife Patricia, who died the previous week. The statement read: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Eddie Snr. He had an enormous personality who accomplished so much in life not least shaping some great people. May he rest in peace.”
Harty's son Eddie reflected on his father's life and the couple's bond, saying: “He did an awful lot in his life and he never let us forget it! He did a lot for the industry, too, which a lot of people might not have known about. It was probably a bit unsung but he did so much for the industry. It’s uncanny that he died so quickly after Mum. They were inseparable. My wife’s sister Valerie said it was the most romantic thing she had ever heard that he went so quickly after her. His heart was broken.”
From a distinguished Irish racing family—his grandfather Michael "Boss" Harty and father Captain Cyril B Harty were key figures—Harty began riding in 1953, securing his first win under rules on Flaming Dome at Newton Abbot. After working as a cowboy in the US, he excelled in multiple disciplines, including a 1959 Punchestown double on Coolteige and Take Time.
Representing Ireland at the 1960 Rome Olympics on Harlequin, he finished ninth individually and sixth in the team three-day event. Focusing on British racing afterward, Harty won the Grand National in 1969 on Highland Wedding, beating Steel Bridge by 12 lengths, making him the only Olympian to claim the steeplechase. Other victories included the Topham Chase twice (1965 on Hopkiss, 1969 on Dozo), the 1968 Welsh Grand National on Glenn, and the Mackeson Gold Cup on Jupiter Boy that year. He rode 268 winners in Britain before injuries ended his career in 1971.
As a trainer at Strawhall, Curragh, from 1972 to 1995, Harty notched successes like the Irish Cambridgeshire with Persian Royale in 1983 and Jonjas Chudleigh in 1990. His sons Eddie Jr. and Eoin, along with grandson Patrick—who holds a joint licence in Curragh, County Kildare—continue the family tradition.
Fans paid tribute online, with comments such as “Very sorry to hear this. Thoughts with you all,” “Rest in peace,” and “Bless up.”
