George was born in Bilton, not far from Harrogate, in 1837, and, as a boy, gained employment at Tom Dawson's Middleham stables.
He rode a couple of winners on the Harrowgate Stray in 1852 when just fourteen: this was also the year he won his first important race, the Cumberland Plate, on Red Lion, beating a better fancied stablemate, Lindrick, ridden by Fred Bates. The Proctor, ridden by John Osborne, was third.
He continued to successfully ride on the Flat until increasing weight determined his future over the jumps. George, who had been a top-class jockey, raced for the last time on the Flat in 1882.
He readily took to the new challenge: 'I love the 'chase,' he once said.
George rode without success in 13 Grand Nationals, falling just once. On his very first attempt, his mount, Telegraph, crashed out at the second fence, breaking its back. George escaped unharmed.
His best effort came in 1871 when, riding Despatch, he finished second to The Lamb, ridden by the brilliant amateur Mr Thomas. The following year he rode the same horse into third place. Despatch's owner was a Mr Studd, for whom, at Tedworth House, Marlborough, George would train and ride. In 1873, Mr Studd gave George a present of £1,000 'in consideration of your honesty towards me.'
George won the 1868 Scottish Grand National on Greenland, having finished runner-up on Brilliant to Governor in 1865 when the race was known as The West of Scotland Grand National. Both Brilliant and Governor carried a staggering 13st 5lbs.
Several papers of the day state that George also won the Scottish Grand National on Mr J. F. Houldsworth Scheidam: however, I have been unable to authenticate this result.
At Warwick George won the Grand Annual Steeplechase on Charles Hibbert's Cock Robin; later, at Sandown, he won the Prince of Wales' Steeplechase on Mountauban. Another great victory came on Meanwood in the 1867 Grand Sefton.
Sadly, at the end of his day, George - who had more than once stated that he dreaded finishing up in the work-house - lived in very reduced circumstances, and an appeal - highlighting his plight - was published in the press in March, 1919.
Less than five months later, on Friday, August 1, 1919, George died. He was 82.