George Palmer
(1837-1904)
(1837-1904)
Article by John Griffiths
Article by John Griffiths
Born at Winterborne Stickland, Dorset on the 17th March 1837. Died at Prospect House, Hednesford, Staffordshire on 1st September 1904 aged 67.
Born at Winterborne Stickland, Dorset on the 17th March 1837. Died at Prospect House, Hednesford, Staffordshire on 1st September 1904 aged 67.
Thought to have been apprenticed to Mr. E. Ford’s stables at Epsom initially and later in 1857, he was apprenticed to Mr. Drewitt at Lewes at the same time as the young George Fordham was there.
Thought to have been apprenticed to Mr. E. Ford’s stables at Epsom initially and later in 1857, he was apprenticed to Mr. Drewitt at Lewes at the same time as the young George Fordham was there.
His riding career spanned from around 1852 to 1864 and during that time he rode a total of 42 winners on the flat and two over hurdles; his best year was 1854 with 14 winners.
His riding career spanned from around 1852 to 1864 and during that time he rode a total of 42 winners on the flat and two over hurdles; his best year was 1854 with 14 winners.
After Palmer won the 1853 Cesarewitch on Haco, the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette commented how “exceedingly well jockeyed the horse had been by the lad Palmer”. Because of this, his parents were invited to Newmarket where they were “invited to receive for the purpose of investment for the future use of their very promising son, the handsome sum of between £400 to £500 [about £40,000 today] given as a recognition of the good service he has for the very fortunate owner of Haco.” It must also be pointed out, the very fortunate owner, William Barrett, bagged £20,000 plus by betting on the event … but the horse, trained by William Day, did come in at 50/1.
After Palmer won the 1853 Cesarewitch on Haco, the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette commented how “exceedingly well jockeyed the horse had been by the lad Palmer”. Because of this, his parents were invited to Newmarket where they were “invited to receive for the purpose of investment for the future use of their very promising son, the handsome sum of between £400 to £500 [about £40,000 today] given as a recognition of the good service he has for the very fortunate owner of Haco.” It must also be pointed out, the very fortunate owner, William Barrett, bagged £20,000 plus by betting on the event … but the horse, trained by William Day, did come in at 50/1.
In 1858 the “promising son’s” halo had slipped. or so it seems. according to a report from the Birmingham Journal about a race at Aintree in November. A thick fog had covered the course which was already very slippy due to a heavy frost the night before. To quote the newspaper: “The sport opened with a robbery in the Hurdle Race, as a mare called Relapse, that could have won in a canter, was so deliberately pulled up in the face of the grandstand, that her jockey, Palmer, who has always been a rather queer fish, was suspended by Mr. Payne from riding during the remainder of the meeting.” Payne thought it was the most blatant example of pulling he had seen in many years.
In 1858 the “promising son’s” halo had slipped. or so it seems. according to a report from the Birmingham Journal about a race at Aintree in November. A thick fog had covered the course which was already very slippy due to a heavy frost the night before. To quote the newspaper: “The sport opened with a robbery in the Hurdle Race, as a mare called Relapse, that could have won in a canter, was so deliberately pulled up in the face of the grandstand, that her jockey, Palmer, who has always been a rather queer fish, was suspended by Mr. Payne from riding during the remainder of the meeting.” Payne thought it was the most blatant example of pulling he had seen in many years.
Palmer arrived in Hednesford before the 1861 Census was compiled and is listed as lodging at the Cross Keys Inn having taken over the Common Gate Stables. He is one of few people to be in two places at once; in the 1861 Census he is listed as previously stated but also as a guest at the Midland Hotel in Derby, along with the jockey John Kendall, both presumably there to attend a race meeting in the city.
Palmer arrived in Hednesford before the 1861 Census was compiled and is listed as lodging at the Cross Keys Inn having taken over the Common Gate Stables. He is one of few people to be in two places at once; in the 1861 Census he is listed as previously stated but also as a guest at the Midland Hotel in Derby, along with the jockey John Kendall, both presumably there to attend a race meeting in the city.
In 1863 he married Mary Ann Ashmall sister of the well-known jockey, Thomas Ashmall. He later trained at the Hill Street Stables and Prospect House (also known as Providence House), Hednesford
In 1863 he married Mary Ann Ashmall sister of the well-known jockey, Thomas Ashmall. He later trained at the Hill Street Stables and Prospect House (also known as Providence House), Hednesford
Biggest winner: Cesarewitch Handicap in 1853 on Haco
Biggest winner: Cesarewitch Handicap in 1853 on Haco