The second week in February brought sad news, with the death of the only man to represent his country at the Olympic Games and ride the winner of the Aintree Grand National. Turning to the current stars of the sport, the big headlines arrived over the weekend. Ascot provided the domestic highlight as Jonbon added yet another wonderful performance to his glittering CV. However, the biggest win of all came in Riyadh as Japanese ace Forever Young added over £7 million to his prize money haul in the Saudi Cup.
Eddie Harty Passes Away at 88
Few nations have produced as many talented horsemen as Ireland. However, not many of those have enjoyed so varied a career as Eddie Harty. Hailing from a family steeped in racing history, Eddie’s life in the saddle saw him compete on the racetrack, in show jumping and three-day eventing, with two years in the US as a cowboy thrown into the mix for good measure.
Grand National winner, Olympian and Irish riding legend Eddie Harty dies aged 88 https://t.co/TAmdwGgOnZ
— Harty Racing (@HartyRacing) February 11, 2026
A success in all of his riding endeavours, Harty represented Ireland in three-day eventing at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, finishing ninth individually and sixth in the team event. Equally proficient on the racetrack, he rode 268 winners under rules, including the 1968 Mackeson Gold Cup, and the 1965 and 1967 editions of the Topham Chase.
His career-defining moment then came in the 1969 Aintree Grand National. Called up as a late replacement for the injured Owen McNally, Harty partnered Highland Wedding to a resounding 12-length success. He remains the only rider to appear at the Olympic Games and win the biggest steeplechase in the world.
Forced to retire from the saddle following injuries sustained at Cheltenham in 1971, Harty moved on to a successful training career. Saddling his final winner in 1995, he remained dedicated to the sport in his later years.
Eddie Harty’s death at the age of 88 came just one week after his wife Patricia passed away. Announcing the news, his son Eddie Harty Jnr. stated, “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.”
Jonbon Dethrones Champ in Ascot Chase Cracker
The Saturday afternoon feature of the Ascot Chase was billed as a head-to-head tussle between Pic D’orhy and Jonbon. Paul Nicholls vs Nicky Henderson. Two-time Ascot Chase winner vs one of the most prolific Grade 1 winners of the modern era. All the pieces were in place for a classic encounter, and the main protagonists didn’t disappoint.
Harry Cobden set out to make the running aboard Pic D’orhy but was kept company all the way by Jonbon in the hands of Nico de Boinville. With their four rivals chasing shadows by the home turn, the pair knuckled down in a titanic tussle to the line. Pic D’orhy briefly looked to hold the edge, but only fleetingly, as the tenacious Jonbon dug deep to overhaul the long-time leader and post a 1½-length success.
Pic D’orhy missed the chance to become the first three-time winner of the Ascot Chase, but lost almost nothing in defeat, while the second-place prize money took his career earnings past the £1 million mark. Jonbon, meanwhile, embellished his stellar record with a 12th Grade 1 victory and an 11th over fences.
Next time out, he will bid to tick one of the last remaining boxes as he seeks a first win at the Cheltenham Festival. Having finished second in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Arkle Chase, and Queen Mother Champion Chase in his three previous appearances, a tilt at the Ryanair Chase is on the cards in 2026. At a best price of 5/1, Jonbon lies behind only the Willie Mullins duo of Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior for the Day Three contest.
Forever Young Floors Saudi Cup Rivals
With over £1.6 million in prize money, Jonbon is among the highest-earning National Hunt performers on British shores. An impressive tally, but small change compared to the stratospheric sums amassed by Japanese sensation, Forever Young.
Hailing from the yard of Yoshito Yahagi, Forever Young entered 2026 with a record of 10 wins from 13 career outings, with his final start of 2025 seeing him become the first Japanese winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
That victory at Del Mar etched the name of Forever Young into Japanese racing legend. However, his most valuable victory from a financial perspective came when earning £8,000,000 in the 2025 Saudi Cup. 12 months on, he returned to Riyadh on a mission to become the first two-time winner of the world’s richest race.
With that Breeders’ Cup success fresh in the memory and proven form over the track and trip, Forever Young started at odds of just 1/3 in the $20 million (total prizemoney) contest. Settled just off the pace by regular rider Ryusei Sakai, Forever Young faced significant kickback but saved ground hard against the inside rail. Spotting a gap off the home turn, Sakai urged Forever Young to the front and from there it was all over. Bob Baffert’s Nysos threw down a challenge but was swatted aside by the globetrotting superstar, who stayed on well to score by a length.
Picking up £7,407,407.41 for this famous victory, Forever Young’s career earnings now sit at £22,969,220! Not too shabby.
