Jessica Harrington is one of the most respected figures in International racing, as a trainer whose career has been defined by success at the very highest level. In a sport that demands constant evolution, she has set standards across both National Hunt and Flat Racing. Having achieved personal success in eventing, representing Ireland at four European Championships, Harrington’s ‘instinct for horses’ has seen her achieve legendary status as a dual-purpose trainer.
This week we had the fortunate to visit Harrington Racing, in Co. Kildare, as we welcome them as part of the Aloga Team. As well as getting an insight into the schooling program of the horses in training, the team explained how they use the Aloga Equestrian blankets as part of daily routines before we sat down with Jessica herself to talk career highlights, advice and what’s left on her bucket list.
STABLE SET- UP
We began the morning with Emma Harrington who gave us a full tour of the grounds, schooling gallops and stable yards. With over 130 horses in training ventilation is key to keeping horses healthy. The majority of the stable barns are outdoor blocks with horses having the ability to look out of over their stable doors to the open air. Some even had access to innovative outdoor areas that offered a roof structure they could shelter under while having an extended open air front section allowing for freedom of movement.
Layering is a key part of the Harringtons’ approach to blanketing with the yard opting to combine the Pro Stable blankets with the Aloga liners for the horses while they are stabled. This approach allows them to provide additional warmth when needed while the liners can be securely clipped to the outer blanket. Aswell as offering a more secure fit when it is worn on the horse and ease of use with less additional straps, the liner system also allows for neater management and storing when the blankets are not in use. Biosecurity is a key consideration, so ensuring each horse’s blankets and accessories are easy to access, store and maintain helps with the overall wellbeing of the yard’s horses and efficiency with the daily tasks.
ON THE GALLOPS
Next, we joined Kate Jessica’s youngest daughter & assistant trainer, on the gallops to watch one of the morning’s six lots work. Twenty-five horses worked across the schooling gallops, including two- and three-year-olds, who completed a variety of slow and fast work. During the session they split into smaller groups and work on different surfaces. Some worked on the sand gallops, while others focused on figures of 8 on the grass.
Cool down took place in the covered indoor school to help shelter from the Irish spring rain as Kate checked in with each rider as to how their horse had felt during the session. The riders then untacked before washing down their horses. Those that returned to their stables were covered in the Aloga Pro Mesh cooler to help with faster drying and to manage temperature fluctuations as their bodies started to cool down. Horses that are turnout out are rugged in the Aloga Pro turnouts to shield from the wind and rain while providing breathable functionality so they don’t over heat. Kate then prepared to head to the Curragh with some older horses for a session and advised how they use the Pro Mesh post work for when the horses travel home on the lorry to help manage their temperature.
ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR LAST WINNER
Returning to the house it was time to sit down with Jessica herself and discuss some of our burning questions. Whether in sport or in creating meaningful products, consistency is essential to building sustained success. Jessica’s advice was simple ‘you are only as good as your last winner. You have to be constantly moving forward and looking for ways to improve. As I say you have to turn around and reinvent yourself every year.’ Asked how the sport of horse racing has changed over the years she feels it is as ‘competitive now as when I started. I have a theory if it is competitive you have to raise your game up to that level. You can’t think you can just stay doing things the same way as you have always done.’
Integrating the Aloga Equestrian range of blankets into the yard, she highlights what she likes most from the collection. ‘They are so durable. The horses don’t seem to tear them. I like being able to layer the blankets and being able to attach them, so they are secure. Also, the cooler sheets really do draw the moisture off their coats, so they are not standing there with wet on their backs,’ she explains. With such a decorated career it is hard to isolate one single highlight Jessica admits, ‘I have trained good horses under both codes. Moscow Flyer was an amazing horse who won three times at Cheltenham, he was always at the top of his game. He was my first real star. Then Sizing John who I inherited from Henry De Bromhead. He won three Gold Cups in one season across the UK and Ireland.’ Despite her career being one many can only ever dream of achieving, Jessica has no plans in slowing down. ‘Having my family involved in it has kept me moving me forward. I am ambitious and there are still lots more races out there that I haven’t won that I would like to and I am looking forward to that challenge.’
We left Harrington Racing feeling very grateful for the insight and getting to experience first hand what goes in behind the scenes at one of the world's most iconic race stables. To hear more about Jessica’s future plans and the races still on her bucket list head to our social media channels @aloga_equestrian to watch the full interview. A massive thank you to Jessica, Emma, Kate and all the team for their openness and hospitality. It was a dream day for us as a team.