George Deer
The Suffolk Handicap, a two-mile race to be run at Ipswich on Thursday 27 August 1857, had attracted six runners: Verona (A. Edwards), Tyre (Potter), Brunswick (Custance), Polestar (J. Goater), Goblin (Woodhouse) and Neva (George Deer).
The Suffolk Handicap, a two-mile race to be run at Ipswich on Thursday 27 August 1857, had attracted six runners: Verona (A. Edwards), Tyre (Potter), Brunswick (Custance), Polestar (J. Goater), Goblin (Woodhouse) and Neva (George Deer).
George had celebrated his seventeenth birthday on June 3 some four weeks earlier. He had served four years and five months of a seven-year apprenticeship with the Newmarket trainer Mr Samuel Rogers on whom he was on very good terms. He weighed 4 st 9 lbs. He had ridden at other racecourses in the last three years but never at Ipswich - hence, he rode the horse around the track that morning for them both to become acquainted with its undulations. George had previously ridden the mare at Newmarket and got on well with it.
George had celebrated his seventeenth birthday on June 3 some four weeks earlier. He had served four years and five months of a seven-year apprenticeship with the Newmarket trainer Mr Samuel Rogers on whom he was on very good terms. He weighed 4 st 9 lbs. He had ridden at other racecourses in the last three years but never at Ipswich - hence, he rode the horse around the track that morning for them both to become acquainted with its undulations. George had previously ridden the mare at Newmarket and got on well with it.
What spooked Neva and caused it to bolt in the preparatory canter to the post was never discovered. Labourer William Mann, who witnessed the incident, said that he was crossing the road from the field opposite to the stile on the course when he saw a horse run off the course and towards him a great speed. William confirmed that a lad was on its back. William pulled two women out of the way and onto the bank as the horse seemed to be coming directly to the spot where they were in the road. He then threw himself down on the bank so that the horse would avoid him. The animal then struck the gate post with its left shoulder before running on and collapsing in the road. It was on its back with its legs in the air. It somehow struggled to its feet and started off at full speed down the road towards Ipswich. He then went to see what had become of the rider. George lay motionless on the right-hand side of the footpath. He bled from his left nostril and knee.
What spooked Neva and caused it to bolt in the preparatory canter to the post was never discovered. Labourer William Mann, who witnessed the incident, said that he was crossing the road from the field opposite to the stile on the course when he saw a horse run off the course and towards him a great speed. William confirmed that a lad was on its back. William pulled two women out of the way and onto the bank as the horse seemed to be coming directly to the spot where they were in the road. He then threw himself down on the bank so that the horse would avoid him. The animal then struck the gate post with its left shoulder before running on and collapsing in the road. It was on its back with its legs in the air. It somehow struggled to its feet and started off at full speed down the road towards Ipswich. He then went to see what had become of the rider. George lay motionless on the right-hand side of the footpath. He bled from his left nostril and knee.
When assistance arrived George was sent to East Suffolk Hospital. He arrived at about 3.30 p.m. and was examined by resident surgeon Mr H. Taylor. George was quite insensible. There was a bruised wound on the left side of his skull and he had bled from the left ear and nose. There was a very extensive laceration on the left knee and hip. The injury, a fracture of the base of the skull, to the head was a fatal one.
When assistance arrived George was sent to East Suffolk Hospital. He arrived at about 3.30 p.m. and was examined by resident surgeon Mr H. Taylor. George was quite insensible. There was a bruised wound on the left side of his skull and he had bled from the left ear and nose. There was a very extensive laceration on the left knee and hip. The injury, a fracture of the base of the skull, to the head was a fatal one.
Mr Samuel Rogers said of George: 'He had been very good, careful, sober and attentive, altogether a good apprentice who had ridden in public since the age of eleven.' Rogers said that he'd trained the horse for the last eight months and that she was of a very quiet temper and definitely not a bolter.
Mr Samuel Rogers said of George: 'He had been very good, careful, sober and attentive, altogether a good apprentice who had ridden in public since the age of eleven.' Rogers said that he'd trained the horse for the last eight months and that she was of a very quiet temper and definitely not a bolter.
George died at 2.00 p.m. on Monday afternoon, August 31. He was buried at Ipswich Cemetery.
George died at 2.00 p.m. on Monday afternoon, August 31. He was buried at Ipswich Cemetery.
At an inquest held at the Victoria Inn, Berbers Street, the day after his death, Coroner S. B. Jackman said that George seemed to have been a good son and a good apprentice, and also had been fortunate enough to have had a good master. The jury immediately returned a verdict of 'Accidental Death'.
At an inquest held at the Victoria Inn, Berbers Street, the day after his death, Coroner S. B. Jackman said that George seemed to have been a good son and a good apprentice, and also had been fortunate enough to have had a good master. The jury immediately returned a verdict of 'Accidental Death'.