‘Everyone has their bigger goal of where they want to be. For me, it is probably trying to be a jockey. For now, I’m just taking it step by step,’ says young rider Harry Enright who was born with one hand and has completed the 18-week Foundation course at the British Racing School.

Londoner, Harry Enright is overcoming the obstacles he faced having been born with one hand. He has always loved horse riding and his parents contacted the British Racing School (BRS) when he decided he wanted to pursue a career within the racing industry. The 17-year-old has successfully completed the 18-week Foundation course that prepares riders for a career in the industry and is currently working at trainer Lawney Hill’s yard as a work rider.

Harry said: “When I was younger, I was quite into football and it got to the point where I thought I could either continue playing that, work in an office or try and make something of myself. I’ve always loved horses and decided I wanted to take that further and get into racing, so I came to the British Racing School. 

“There is Guy Disney who rides with a lower limb prosthetic, but we weren’t aware of anyone else who rode with a prosthetic arm.”

Lawney Hill added: “Harry is hard-working, cheeky and dedicated and he’s determined not to let anything get in his way. We are so impressed with his riding ability and his manner with the horses, and he has been a brilliant addition to our team since he has joined us.” 

Reflecting on his journey, Harry said: “I started out at the BRS doing a nine-week course and then came back for the 18- week course with loads of riding and mucking out. Together with the BRS and Steve Cox and the team at Dorset Orthopaedic we have created a prosthetic which allows me to safely ride racehorses. The prosthetic is made of silicon which slides onto my arm and there is a magnet at the end which attaches to the reins. A power circuit keeps it in place and if I fall off the circuit is broken, releasing the magnet so that I don’t get caught up in the reins dragged along.”

Andrew Braithwaite, Finance Director at the BRS who has been instrumental in developing the bespoke prosthetic said: “We’ve been working with Harry to create a prosthetic which has allowed him to ride racehorses so that not only has he been safe but all the other horses and riders with him have been safe as well.

“The key was to find a solution that didn’t require the horses to adapt to the way Harry was riding. Thanks to Harry’s determination and natural ability this has been achieved. It has been great to see him successfully complete the course and go on to full time employment.”