How horses helped trainer Jessica Harrington during cancer treatment

Jessica Harrington reveals how horses helped her during breast cancer treatment as she looks ahead to The Derby with Sprewell — Jessica Harrington has her second ever runner in The Derby at Epsom next week.

(Image credit: Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Top Irish trainer Jessica Harrington described horses as “the best therapy” through her breast cancer treatment as she looks ahead to The Derby with her second ever runner in the race.

Sprewell will carry the yard’s hopes in the iconic race at the Betfred-sponsored meeting next week (3 June). Jessica is likely to be watching from home as she continues her treatment and rehabilitation.

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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.

‘The best therapy’: how horses helped trainer with Derby runner during cancer treatment

The 76-year-old, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2022, spoke about the role horses have played through her treatment.

“Things are great and I’m lucky enough to have finished the worst part of it now that the chemo is done. We’re moving on to the next stage now and it’ll take a bit longer, but I hope that I’ll be out and about again very shortly,” she said.

“The horses really have been a massive help to me and I’m really lucky to have a massive support team here.

“My daughters Kate and Emma and my son-in-law have been around all winter keeping things going and I did my best to get out every single day that I could to look at the horses, because that was the best therapy I reckoned I had.

“I went racing last Friday to Leopardstown. I didn’t actually go on Sunday, but I go when it’s nice and near and when I can. I’d be most likely to watch the Derby from home, but I’ll see how I get on.”

Alpha Centauri delivered Jessica’s first Classic victory with her win in the 2018 Irish 1000 Guineas, and Magical Lagoon tasted glory in last year’s Irish Oaks. Her sole runner in The Derby so far was Gold Maze, who finished ninth in 2020.

Sprewell, by Churchill and out of Redback daughter Lahaleeb, and owned by Mohamed Khalid Mohamed Abdulrahim, has won his first two starts as a three-year-old, including the Derby Trial at Leopardstown (7 May).

“Nothing seems to faze him and I think going the mile and a half will suit him because I think he’ll settle well, which he has done in both of his races this year,” said Jessica.

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