Geoff Price
1936 - 2015
1936 - 2015
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Welsh National Hunt jockey Geoff Price was born on November 12, 1936. He was a successful amateur rider who eventually turned professional, although on reflection it may not have been a wise move.
Welsh National Hunt jockey Geoff Price was born on November 12, 1936. He was a successful amateur rider who eventually turned professional, although on reflection it may not have been a wise move.
Geoffrey Huw Ellis Price rode his first winner on Moorcock, trained by Doug Francis, in the Tybroughton Selling Handicap Hurdle at Bangor-on-Dee on Saturday, April 8, 1961.
Geoffrey Huw Ellis Price rode his first winner on Moorcock, trained by Doug Francis, in the Tybroughton Selling Handicap Hurdle at Bangor-on-Dee on Saturday, April 8, 1961.
The following season his tally of winners soared to nine, thanks in part to Audition, trained by permit holder Wilf White at Tilston, near Malpas, Cheshire. (White was better known in show jumping circles as the owner-rider of Nizefella, part of the gold medal winning team at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki.) And thanks in part too to selling hurdler Digmoor and the near white Only Me, both of whom were trained by Frank Perry for his wife at Cholmondeley, near Nantwich. Only Me won twice more for Geoff the following season.
The following season his tally of winners soared to nine, thanks in part to Audition, trained by permit holder Wilf White at Tilston, near Malpas, Cheshire. (White was better known in show jumping circles as the owner-rider of Nizefella, part of the gold medal winning team at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki.) And thanks in part too to selling hurdler Digmoor and the near white Only Me, both of whom were trained by Frank Perry for his wife at Cholmondeley, near Nantwich. Only Me won twice more for Geoff the following season.
Geoff won a couple of amateur riders’ races on the Flat in 1963, beginning with the Burgh Barony Races Commemoration Cup on Horace Cousins’ Kaffirboom at Carlisle in July, followed by Reg Hollinshead’s Red Apollo at Wolverhampton in September.
Geoff won a couple of amateur riders’ races on the Flat in 1963, beginning with the Burgh Barony Races Commemoration Cup on Horace Cousins’ Kaffirboom at Carlisle in July, followed by Reg Hollinshead’s Red Apollo at Wolverhampton in September.
Back over jumps, there were three more winners in 1963/64, the first being for Doug Francis on Sister King at Hereford in October. It was six months before the next one, selling hurdler Shrimp’s Last at Uttoxeter in April 1964. His third and final victory of the season was gained on Brooks Road in a three-mile handicap chase at Southwell in May.
Back over jumps, there were three more winners in 1963/64, the first being for Doug Francis on Sister King at Hereford in October. It was six months before the next one, selling hurdler Shrimp’s Last at Uttoxeter in April 1964. His third and final victory of the season was gained on Brooks Road in a three-mile handicap chase at Southwell in May.
Geoff turned professional at the start of the 1964/65 season and got off to a good start, winning a couple of early season novice chases on Park Falls. But that was to be as good as it got.
Geoff turned professional at the start of the 1964/65 season and got off to a good start, winning a couple of early season novice chases on Park Falls. But that was to be as good as it got.
On Saturday, October 3, 1964, the BBC cameras were at Wetherby to cover four races, the first National Hunt meeting of the season to be televised. Geoff rode Brooks Road in the first of them, the Otley Handicap Chase. It was a race with a dramatic climax. Approaching the last fence, Candy had been left well clear, his four opponents having all suffered mishaps. Brooks Road was pulled up after the water, where Eric’s Star made such a bad blunder that it virtually put him out of the race. Studio fell at the 14th fence and Peacetown came down two from home. However, having looked to have been presented with the race, Candy ducked out at the last fence. Jockey Jack Berry brought him back for a second try, and this time he jumped it safely and went on to win from the remounted Peacetown and Eric’s Star. As the horses were led into the winner’s enclosure afterwards, commentator Peter O’Sullevan remarked: “Well, if all the races are as dramatic as that one, we’ll be in for an interesting season.”
On Saturday, October 3, 1964, the BBC cameras were at Wetherby to cover four races, the first National Hunt meeting of the season to be televised. Geoff rode Brooks Road in the first of them, the Otley Handicap Chase. It was a race with a dramatic climax. Approaching the last fence, Candy had been left well clear, his four opponents having all suffered mishaps. Brooks Road was pulled up after the water, where Eric’s Star made such a bad blunder that it virtually put him out of the race. Studio fell at the 14th fence and Peacetown came down two from home. However, having looked to have been presented with the race, Candy ducked out at the last fence. Jockey Jack Berry brought him back for a second try, and this time he jumped it safely and went on to win from the remounted Peacetown and Eric’s Star. As the horses were led into the winner’s enclosure afterwards, commentator Peter O’Sullevan remarked: “Well, if all the races are as dramatic as that one, we’ll be in for an interesting season.”
As for Geoff Price, the decision to turn professional did not work to his advantage. He had few rides and although he held a licence until the 1967/68 season, he rode no more winners.
As for Geoff Price, the decision to turn professional did not work to his advantage. He had few rides and although he held a licence until the 1967/68 season, he rode no more winners.
Having quit the saddle, Geoff then changed direction to study fine art. Racing's loss was the art world's gain as he showed an amazing talent: in September, 2011, a collection of his abstract works of art - many of which celebrated his passion for horse racing - was displayed at the Granary Art Gallery, Weston Park. Curator Gareth Williams commented at the time; 'Geoff's energetic and striking style is guaranteed to make an impact on our visitors.'
Having quit the saddle, Geoff then changed direction to study fine art. Racing's loss was the art world's gain as he showed an amazing talent: in September, 2011, a collection of his abstract works of art - many of which celebrated his passion for horse racing - was displayed at the Granary Art Gallery, Weston Park. Curator Gareth Williams commented at the time; 'Geoff's energetic and striking style is guaranteed to make an impact on our visitors.'
Geoff continued to ride out for various trainers until August 2015, the last horse he schooled being Tom George’s chaser No Duffer. He died of pancreatic cancer on December 23, 2015, aged 79.
Geoff continued to ride out for various trainers until August 2015, the last horse he schooled being Tom George’s chaser No Duffer. He died of pancreatic cancer on December 23, 2015, aged 79.
Geoff Price’s winners were, in chronological order:
Geoff Price’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Moorcock, Bangor-on-Dee, April 8, 1961
1. Moorcock, Bangor-on-Dee, April 8, 1961
2. Swanland Girl, Uttoxeter, September 30, 1961
2. Swanland Girl, Uttoxeter, September 30, 1961
3. Audition, Woore, October 5, 1961
3. Audition, Woore, October 5, 1961
4. Audition, Worcester, October 21, 1961
4. Audition, Worcester, October 21, 1961
5. Strat Royal, above, Wolverhampton, November 20, 1961
5. Strat Royal, above, Wolverhampton, November 20, 1961
6. Strat Royal, Chepstow, December 9, 1961
6. Strat Royal, Chepstow, December 9, 1961
7. Digmoor, Woore, March 22, 1962
7. Digmoor, Woore, March 22, 1962
8. Only Me, Bangor-on-Dee, April 6, 1962
8. Only Me, Bangor-on-Dee, April 6, 1962
9. Digmoor, Bangor-on-Dee, April 7, 1962
9. Digmoor, Bangor-on-Dee, April 7, 1962
10. Only Me, Bangor-on-Dee, April 27, 1962
10. Only Me, Bangor-on-Dee, April 27, 1962
11. Doxford, Worcester, October 24, 1962
11. Doxford, Worcester, October 24, 1962
12. Only Me, Hereford, May 18, 1963
12. Only Me, Hereford, May 18, 1963
13. Only Me, Uttoxeter, June 3, 1963
13. Only Me, Uttoxeter, June 3, 1963
14. Kaffirboom, Carlisle, July 3, 1963
14. Kaffirboom, Carlisle, July 3, 1963
15. Red Apollo, above, Wolverhampton, September 16, 1963
15. Red Apollo, above, Wolverhampton, September 16, 1963
16. Sister King, Hereford, October 5, 1963
16. Sister King, Hereford, October 5, 1963
17. Shrimp’s Last, Uttoxeter, April 11, 1964
17. Shrimp’s Last, Uttoxeter, April 11, 1964
18. Brooks Road, Southwell, May 16, 1964
18. Brooks Road, Southwell, May 16, 1964
19. Park Falls, Southwell, September 7, 1964
19. Park Falls, Southwell, September 7, 1964
20. Park Falls, Ludlow, September 17, 1964
20. Park Falls, Ludlow, September 17, 1964