George Edwards
1805 - 1851
1805 - 1851
The son of James 'Tiny' Edwards, George was a strong jockey though not nearly as finished a rider as his crooked brother Harry.
The son of James 'Tiny' Edwards, George was a strong jockey though not nearly as finished a rider as his crooked brother Harry.
He won on the 40/1 outsider Phosphorous in the 1837 Derby. The horse had been lame just before the race – hence the starting price – and its participation was confirmed just minutes before the off. The horse never ran again and was sold to the Duke of Brunswick for 1,000 guineas. George also won the 1839 1,00 Guineas on Cara (his brother Edward had won the same race the year before).
He won on the 40/1 outsider Phosphorous in the 1837 Derby. The horse had been lame just before the race – hence the starting price – and its participation was confirmed just minutes before the off. The horse never ran again and was sold to the Duke of Brunswick for 1,000 guineas. George also won the 1839 1,00 Guineas on Cara (his brother Edward had won the same race the year before).
He turned to training and is credited with picking up Beggarman for £500 from a Goodwood stable cull and training him to win the 1840 Goodwood Cup. He seemed set to carve out a name for himself when his master, the Duke of Orleans, was killed when thrown from his carriage. Edwards was immediately evicted from his lodgings and, his future prospects in tatters, never really recovered from the shock. He was given the occasional ride by General Peel, but the damage had been done.
He turned to training and is credited with picking up Beggarman for £500 from a Goodwood stable cull and training him to win the 1840 Goodwood Cup. He seemed set to carve out a name for himself when his master, the Duke of Orleans, was killed when thrown from his carriage. Edwards was immediately evicted from his lodgings and, his future prospects in tatters, never really recovered from the shock. He was given the occasional ride by General Peel, but the damage had been done.
He died, penniless, in a Newmarket workhouse in 1851.
He died, penniless, in a Newmarket workhouse in 1851.
George also won the 1825 Goodwood Cup (Cricketer) & 1825 Goodwood Stakes (Stumps).
George also won the 1825 Goodwood Cup (Cricketer) & 1825 Goodwood Stakes (Stumps).
The 1837 Derby was the first to be started by flag and the last to be held on a Thursday.
The 1837 Derby was the first to be started by flag and the last to be held on a Thursday.