An Interview with Harriet Edmunds

'Dad and I both have the same aim, which is to get the best out of every individual horse at whatever level,’ says Harriet Edmunds, who is the daughter of successful National Hunt trainer Stuart.

It won't come as a surprise that Harriet is now working in racing, as the sport runs in her blood. Aside from her father, her cousin Sam Jones was a jockey and won the 2007 Coral Cup on Burntoakboy for Dr Richard Newland before becoming a huntsman. She’s been immersed in racing ever since she was little. When Stuart was Assistant to Peter and Renee Robeson, who trained the very talented Olney Lad, Harriet grew up in Tyringham, just outside Milton Keynes, on their farm.

Harriet, 27, is now Assistant Trainer for her father, and she does much of the travelling with the yard’s runners. It is a winning combination, having had a brilliant season last year. Training the winner of the 2024 Topham Chase with Arizona Cardinal was the pinnacle. ‘Aintree was amazing,’ reflects Harriet. ‘Usually, I am leading up and I go off with the horse but Dad and I got to celebrate that win together, which meant a lot.’

The business is very family orientated with Harriet's mother, Trisha, being a vital cog behind the scenes too. ‘She looks after owners when they visit the yard and comes racing if I’m going far away,’ explains Harriet, adding with a laugh, ‘and looks after Dad.’

As well as exercising the horses in training, Harriet regularly show jumps Rocket, who she evented up to advanced level. As another string to her bow of equestrianism, Harriet has recently branched out into ROR competitions on the former racehorse trained by her father, Gentleman At Arms (Arthur). A winner of three hurdle races, his talent has continued under Harriet, already qualifying for the finals at Hickstead, Aintree and the dressage finals at Blenheim. This success highlights Harriet’s aptitude as a horsewoman – proving that every discipline she tries her hand, she’s successful.

Did you have a horsey childhood? I’ve ridden for as long as I remember. One of my first memories was sitting on one of Mrs Robeson’s racehorses called Wren Warbler, who was a relation of Marsh Wren who we train now, and I was so little, I could barely keep my head up!

Since a young age, I have always evented and used to ride for the Duchess of Bedford on a pony called Thumper, and we were under-eighteen champions. I was also really lucky to ride a lot of ponies for Mr and Mrs Robeson.

What is your first racing memory? I remember always standing outside the stables waiting for Mum and Dad or waiting outside the parade ring. One of my vivid childhood memories was when we all went to Punchestown when I was nine. Olney Lad won and was the only British winner of the meeting. Even though I was tiny, I remember it being amazing.

When did you realise you wanted to follow in your Dad’s footsteps? Ironically, I always said that I’d never work for my dad but I gradually got more and more involved. When I was riding the eventers, I used to ride the racehorses to earn a bit of money. The more I got involved, the more fascinated I became with the training side and the buzz. Now, I don’t know what else I would do.

Favourite racehorses: I looked after Maria’s Benefit who was just the loveliest mare and an absolute machine. My absolute favourites that I’ve looked after over the years are Rowland Ward, Mexico and Gentleman At Arms.

Currently in training, I look after a really nice horse called Bluegrass – he came from Aidan O’Brien’s and is lovely.

Best days in racing so far: An amazing day that I’ll never forget is when Maria’s Benefit won her fifth race on the bounce. That was at Doncaster and was the Grade 2 Yorkshire Rose.

We also had a double at the Aintree Festival in 2021 with Rowland Ward and Hometown Boy. Plus, the Topham last season was amazing. It still hasn’t really sunk in. At the Aintree double, there wasn’t any crowds due to Covid. It was very different to the craziness of winning the Topham with crowds and cheering.

What disciplines do you compete in now? Since I finished eventing, I still compete in showjumping on Rocky at 1 meter, 30 centimetres. I also do ROR on Gentleman At Arms and, in the future, I’d like to event him.

What do you love about racing? The horses. I get too far attached. I sadly lost two of my favourites – Rowland Ward and Mexico – and I lost my heart for racing a bit but it’s coming back.

What changes do you wish could be made to working in racing? The industry needs to acknowledge that racing calendar, in its current state, puts a lot of strain on staff: all the long drives, late getting back and having to get up early again. The people at the top don’t know how physically and mentally draining it is.

What type of boss is your Dad? I always say that Dad doesn’t mince his words, you know how he’s feeling and where you stand. He’s very good to work for. He’s never afraid to put the graft in and he’s very knowledgeable, so I learn a lot from him. We have the occasional argument but it doesn’t last for long.

Hopes and dreams for the future: It’s very boring but just to keep training winners and to keep our owners happy.

I’ve just started doing my NVQ Level 3 to maybe go on the trainer’s license in the future. Dad hadn’t mentioned anything before but when, recently, he said that I’d better start my Level 3, I did so straight away.

Favourite meal: I love any pasta.
Favourite drink: A pornstar martini.
Favourite snack: Percy Pigs.
Favourite holiday destination: Mykonos – we’ve had some lovely holidays there.
Favourite film: It’s between a Star Is Born and About Time – both make me cry.
Other hobbies/interests: I don’t really have much time for hobbies but I love my showjumping and eventing. I do love spending time with my dog, especially going for walks.