Hardy Wright
Encyclopedia
Hardy Wright was a Scottish
greyhound
trainer. He was born in Kirkbean
, Kirkcudbrightshire
, the youngest child of Jack Wright
and Mary Harriet Palin of Mersehead Farm, Kirkbean (now a RSPB nature reserve
). Hardy Wright served with the Royal Navy
during World War I
, meeting his future wife in Portsmouth
during this time.
He came to live at Watchhall, near Annan, Dumfries and Galloway
, in the early 1920s, where he set up kennels with his father. Eventually he took over the running of the kennels from his father. He later moved to Cummertrees
House where he established his well known kennels.
In 1947 he had the runner-up in the Waterloo Cup
hare coursing
event, with Mr. Walter Wilson's Western Water, but his greatest successes came in the mid-1950s. In 1954 and 1955 he won the coveted cup with Mr. Tom Noble’s Cotton King and Mr Truelove's Full Pete respectively.
The following year he won the Barbican Cup with Mr. Walter Wilson's Well Away - the first time the cup had come to Scotland. He had other successes in the Waterloo Purse and Plate and the Barbican Plate.
He died at his home at Annan, aged 81. His cousin, Harold Wright
, trained nine Waterloo Cup winners, an unbeaten performance.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
greyhound
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a breed of sighthound that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, and the breed has also recently seen a resurgence in its popularity as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed...
trainer. He was born in Kirkbean
Kirkbean
Kirkbean is a small village and civil parish near the Solway Firth in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.Arbigland, an estate in Kirkbean parish, was the birthplace of American naval commander John Paul Jones....
, Kirkcudbrightshire
Kirkcudbrightshire
The Stewartry of Kirkcudbright or Kirkcudbrightshire was a county of south-western Scotland. It was also known as East Galloway, forming the larger Galloway region with Wigtownshire....
, the youngest child of Jack Wright
Jack Wright (greyhound trainer)
Born John Wright in Waverton, Cheshire, the eldest son of Joseph & Anne Wright of Avenue Farm, previous of The White Horse Inn, Waverton....
and Mary Harriet Palin of Mersehead Farm, Kirkbean (now a RSPB nature reserve
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
). Hardy Wright served with the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, meeting his future wife in Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
during this time.
He came to live at Watchhall, near Annan, Dumfries and Galloway
Annan, Dumfries and Galloway
The royal burgh of Annan is a well-built town, red sandstone being the material mainly used. Each year in July, Annan celebrates the Royal Charter and the boundaries of the Royal Burgh are confirmed when a mounted cavalcade undertakes the Riding of the Marches. Entertainment includes a...
, in the early 1920s, where he set up kennels with his father. Eventually he took over the running of the kennels from his father. He later moved to Cummertrees
Cummertrees
Cummertrees is a coastal village and parish of Annandale in Dumfries and Galloway. It lies about a mile inland, on the Pow Water, twelve miles from Dumfries, and three from Annan.-History:...
House where he established his well known kennels.
In 1947 he had the runner-up in the Waterloo Cup
Waterloo Cup
The Waterloo Cup was a coursing event. The three day event was run annually at Great Altcar in Lancashire, England from 1836 to 2005 and it used to attract tens of thousands of spectators to watch and gamble on the coursing matches...
hare coursing
Hare coursing
Hare coursing is the pursuit of hares with greyhounds and other sighthounds, which chase the hare by sight and not by scent. It is a competitive sport, in which dogs are tested on their ability to run, overtake and turn a hare, rather than a form of hunting aiming at the capture of game. It has a...
event, with Mr. Walter Wilson's Western Water, but his greatest successes came in the mid-1950s. In 1954 and 1955 he won the coveted cup with Mr. Tom Noble’s Cotton King and Mr Truelove's Full Pete respectively.
The following year he won the Barbican Cup with Mr. Walter Wilson's Well Away - the first time the cup had come to Scotland. He had other successes in the Waterloo Purse and Plate and the Barbican Plate.
He died at his home at Annan, aged 81. His cousin, Harold Wright
Harold Wright (greyhound trainer)
Harold Wright was a notable greyhound trainer, famed for training nine winners of the Waterloo Cup. Born in Ditton, Lancashire he was the eldest son of Joe Wright, who achieved training success with two Waterloo Cup winners in the late 19th century. He established his kennels initially at Preston...
, trained nine Waterloo Cup winners, an unbeaten performance.