Archive - Wednesday, 15 January 2003


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Ryedale's tributes to 'spot cash Harry'

A WELL-KNOWN businessman who became known as "spot cash Harry" in the point-to-point world has died aged 82.

Harry Atkinson, of Thorpe Bassett, was a familiar North Yorkshire character, and was known by scores of trainers across the north east. He was famed for breeding many successful point-to-point horses over the years, and was also known in the farming community for his fell-monger business and was involved in the greyhound racing world.

Sheriff Hutton trainer Tim Walford rode one of his most famous point-to-pointers, Solonios. "It was a very good horse," he said.

"Harry only ran it three times before it was sold and we came second, first and first, it must have been 20 years ago or so."

Mr Walford added: "He was absolutely brilliant, he had a twinkle in his eye, he was a charming man. He was known as spot cash Harry when he started out.

"You could buy a horse off him - he had a wagon load of horses at the point-to-point - and you could send him it back in two days or a week if you didn't like it, minus £50."

Vet Edmund Collins said: "Harry had horses in training with many people in the area, he had loads of contacts all over the country. He was an excellent businessman but he was also a very good family man."

Edmund added that Harry was remembered in quite a few horse names, such as Here Comes Harry, Spot Cash and Spot Cash Harry.

Mr Atkinson, whose wife Joyce died in February last year, leaves a son and four daughters. The funeral was held yesterday at East Riding Crematorium, Octon.

Updated: 11:20 Wednesday, January 15, 2003