George Fitton

George Fitton

Article by Alan Trout

Born in 1883, George Fitton rode nine winners over jumps between 1905 and 1907, beginning with a comfortable five-length success on Woodchuck in the Cobham Selling Hurdle at Lingfield Park on December 15, 1905. Woodchuck was making his debut under National Hunt rules but failed to follow up when finishing unplaced, ridden by George’s uncle, Thomas Fitton, at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. 

There were five wins for George in 1906, starting with Yalu, who came through to lead two hurdles from home and win the Coombe Spring Open Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park on March 2. Thomas Fitton finished second on Hymenaeus. 

George ended the year with a double at Folkestone in December, and all three of his wins in 1907 were achieved in the first 11 days of the year, beginning with another double, this time at Gatwick. His last winner, Hallgate, was recording his third victory within a month when beating two rivals to take the Brookside Chase at Plumpton. George did not renew his licence for 1908. 

In an Affiliation Case at Lewes Police Court in September 1907, George, then living in Doncaster, was ordered to pay 2s. 6d. per week until his child reached the age of 16.

George Fitton’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Woodchuck, Lingfield Park, December 15, 1905 

2. Yalu, Sandown Park, March 2, 1906

3. Palladia, Chelmsford, November 8, 1906

4. Palladia, Folkestone, December 12, 1906

5. Hallgate, Folkestone, December 12, 1906

6. Palladia, Folkestone, December 13, 1906

7. Piet, Gatwick, January 3, 1907

8. Hallgate, Gatwick, January 3, 1907

9. Hallgate, Plumpton, January 11, 1907