Background
Harwood was born in Pulborough, West Sussex, in 1939. His father, Wally made the family fortune with his garage business, founded in 1931.
Harwood was born in Pulborough, West Sussex, in 1939. His father, Wally made the family fortune with his garage business, founded in 1931.
He began training horses in 1965 under permit, and took out a training license in 1966, establishing the Coombelands racing stables. In the 1970s, Harwood developed his stable to become one of the most modern in Britain, introducing such innovations as artificial gallops, American-style barns and a computerised office system.
Harwood began riding at the age of 18 and won 40 point-to-point races and 14 National Hunt races over the next few years. He trained many winners there, including Dancing Brave, winner of the 1986 Prix de l"Arc de Triomphe and European Horse of the Year for 1986. Harwood received the prestigious Goodwood Racecourse Media Dinner Award for 2007.
