Known as "Cotton Hands," Harry White knew how to get the best out of his mounts

It is uncommon for a jockey to acquire a reputation as one of the most proficient jockeys Australia has ever produced. Nevertheless, Harry White accomplished such a distinction. In the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, jockey Harry White gained recognition for his exceptional handling of sprinters. He established a reputation as a highly skilled rider with a remarkable ability to manage unruly horses. His hands, particularly in the final moments, were one of his most effective tools – the whip used judiciously and as a final measure, hence the moniker, "Cotton Hands." His best attribute was his judgment of pace, that’s why he ended up winning four Melbourne Cups. He was a quiet man and he sent that through the reins of his horse. He rode in the race 24 times and no jockey has won more than his four he won over a six-year period in the 1970s. He was apprenticed to Tony Lopes, the famous Flemington-based trainer who trained out of Chicquita Lodge. Harry was the son of 1943 Caulfield Cup-winning jockey, Harry White (Snr) and by his own admission, very green early.

White won the Duke of Norfolk Stakes an incredible five times. The race is now known as the Andrew Ramsden. White teamed up with Bart Cummings for three of his Melbourne Cup triumphs. He rode Think Big (1974-75) and Hyperno (1979) to victory for the legendary trainer. His 1974 victory on Think Big was not unexpected, but after going winless for 12 months, he went into the 1975 Melbourne Cup a $34 chance. Think Big's second Melbourne Cup became legendary and not just because of the upset result and White's riding. A 15-minute nap turned into a long siesta and White was the only one of 20 riders not in the yard before jockeys were called to their mounts. Eventually, he was woken up and legged aboard Think Big to land one of the race's biggest upsets of the era. His win on Hyperno in 1979 became famous for the battle he had with Roy Higgins, who was riding Salamander in the final 100 metres as each jockey urged their mount to the line. A regular connection with another iconic Cup-training figure in George Hanlon allowed White to secure the 1978 Melbourne Cup aboard Arwon. White won two Caulfield Cups, on Sobar and Ming Dynasty, the W.S. Cox Plate on Rubiton, five Australian Cups, and three Newmarket handicaps. White won the Victorian jockeys premiership four times and 60 group one races in an era when jockeys were among the biggest sporting names in Melbourne.

White, loved by all in racing, had to overcome adversity and indiscretion in his youth before being afforded the opportunity to showcase his sublime set of skills. White was in his early teens when he began riding track work. White was loved by all in racing across Australia and overseas. He started his career at 13 and steadily made his way through the apprentice ranks and then was noticed by arguably Australia’s greatest horse trainer, Bart Cummings who had moved from South Australia to Victoria at the same time that White became prominent. Cummings’ son Anthony was stable foreman for his illustrious father during the White-Cummings period and believes they made a formidable combination. Cummings saw in White everything that he wanted his jockeys to do, and within months White was riding track work at Flemington for the master trainer. 

White was also brilliantly equipped to handle not only bad horses but speed horses. His record in sprint races include wins in three Newmarket Handicaps, three Oakleigh Plates and three Futurity Stakes. It was said that White could conquer any bad-mouthed horse and his coaxing ability in the closing stages was an artform. Punters who regularly backed White said that they would look in horror if White had to use the whip, as it was then a last resort. Sadly, in 2003, the same year he was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, White was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. 

But without any fanfare, the jockey’s trademark relaxed approach applied to his illness. In his later years, White downsized from his 500-acre Gisborne property that he bought back in the 1980s. He was most generous in setting up the Harry White Trust, distributing much-needed funds across the racing industry to those in need. He was a caring, compassionate, thoughtful, humble and generous man who was consistently and quietly supportive of many jockeys who had fallen on challenging times. He quietly worked away and fought hard until he passed away in October 2022.