Harry Coffey grew up in a racing family and, despite being diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at six weeks old, has carved out a successful career in the saddle. The Royal Children’s Hospital was pivotal in looking after his health, especially during his teen years.
“Although I had a life-threatening condition, I went to school, played football on a Saturday morning, and my parents encouraged me to have a go at things and not to worry if I wasn’t as good as someone else. It was taking part that mattered,” reflected Coffey. “I didn’t know any different, and my parents were amazing.”
Immersed in his horse trainer father’s (Austy Coffey) stables from an early age, he caught the racing bug early.
“When I was 14 or 15, I started working in my Dad’s stables part-time before school. I had a pony, and I’d go to the races with Dad on a weekend. I fell in love with the speed and competing,” the Group 1-winning jockey recalled. “I did a school-based apprenticeship and was at school two or three days and was apprenticed to Dad for the rest of the week. When I finished Year 12, I began riding full time.”
Due to the demands that competitive riding might impose on his health, however, his parents were worried that his body may not withstand the rigours of the job.
“My parents were a bit concerned, so they made an appointment at The Royal Children’s Hospital with my specialist, Dr John Massey, who’d looked after me since I was 10. He said being a jockey wasn’t the greatest lifestyle for someone with CF but he said, ‘If I said you couldn’t do it, it could break you and you wouldn’t want to get out of bed tomorrow. If you can’t follow your dreams, what’s the point of getting out of bed? If we manage it and you stay healthy, it’s possible.’”
This connection with The Royal Children’s Hospital continued to play a crucial role in ensuring his wellbeing through his teen years.
“I’d go to The Royal Children’s Hospital three times a year for a week of maintenance and monitoring to make sure my body was working at its best. That helped ensure I could ride and compete.