George Dempsey
George Dempsey
George Dempsey
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Irish-born National Hunt jockey George Stanislaw Dempsey rode 11 winners over jumps in the early 1950s. The first of those was at Catterick Bridge on November 3, 1951 when Galway Sun, trained by former Grand National-winning rider Billy Dutton, won the Richmond Selling Handicap Chase by two lengths, receiving 29lb from the runner-up Thrifty Knight, the mount of Jimmy Power. It was only the second time George had ridden the 10-year-old, having fallen on the first occasion.
Irish-born National Hunt jockey George Stanislaw Dempsey rode 11 winners over jumps in the early 1950s. The first of those was at Catterick Bridge on November 3, 1951 when Galway Sun, trained by former Grand National-winning rider Billy Dutton, won the Richmond Selling Handicap Chase by two lengths, receiving 29lb from the runner-up Thrifty Knight, the mount of Jimmy Power. It was only the second time George had ridden the 10-year-old, having fallen on the first occasion.
Riding for Billy Dutton’s Malton Stable, George had two more wins that season and seven the next, five of them coming within a three-day period including doubles at Southwell and Wetherby over the Easter period. Sadly, the momentum could not be maintained.
Riding for Billy Dutton’s Malton Stable, George had two more wins that season and seven the next, five of them coming within a three-day period including doubles at Southwell and Wetherby over the Easter period. Sadly, the momentum could not be maintained.
At Cheltenham on New Year’s Eve 1953 he rode Hickory, trained by Bob Ward at Hednesford, to victory in the Juvenile Selling Hurdle by a length. Tragically, it would be George’s last.
At Cheltenham on New Year’s Eve 1953 he rode Hickory, trained by Bob Ward at Hednesford, to victory in the Juvenile Selling Hurdle by a length. Tragically, it would be George’s last.
He had what would prove to be his final ride on February 15, 1954, when finishing unplaced on Wildas in the Graveley Maiden Hurdle (Division II) at Birmingham.
He had what would prove to be his final ride on February 15, 1954, when finishing unplaced on Wildas in the Graveley Maiden Hurdle (Division II) at Birmingham.
In the early hours of Sunday, February 21, 1954, George was badly injured in a car accident at Amotherby, near Malton. He was taken to Malton Hospital suffering from concussion and severe head and facial injuries. He was operated on during the day but never regained consciousness and died that night. His body was transferred to Ireland by boat and he was buried in the family grave at Holmpatrick Cemetery, Skerries.
In the early hours of Sunday, February 21, 1954, George was badly injured in a car accident at Amotherby, near Malton. He was taken to Malton Hospital suffering from concussion and severe head and facial injuries. He was operated on during the day but never regained consciousness and died that night. His body was transferred to Ireland by boat and he was buried in the family grave at Holmpatrick Cemetery, Skerries.
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George Dempsey’s winners were, in chronological order:
George Dempsey’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Galway Sun, Catterick Bridge, November 3, 1951
1. Galway Sun, Catterick Bridge, November 3, 1951
2. Wake Early, Doncaster, March 18, 1952
2. Wake Early, Doncaster, March 18, 1952
3. Ching Ling, Wetherby, June 2, 1952
3. Ching Ling, Wetherby, June 2, 1952
4. Sea Power, Southwell, April 4, 1953
4. Sea Power, Southwell, April 4, 1953
5. Helm Way, Southwell, April 4, 1953
5. Helm Way, Southwell, April 4, 1953
6. Gay Knight, Manchester, April 6, 1953
6. Gay Knight, Manchester, April 6, 1953
7. Sea Power, Wetherby, April 7, 1953
7. Sea Power, Wetherby, April 7, 1953
8. Blacklegs, Wetherby, April 7, 1953
8. Blacklegs, Wetherby, April 7, 1953
9. Sea Power, Kelso, May 7, 1963
9. Sea Power, Kelso, May 7, 1963
10. Blow Rover, Southwell, May 12, 1953
10. Blow Rover, Southwell, May 12, 1953
11. Hickory, Cheltenham, December 31, 1953
11. Hickory, Cheltenham, December 31, 1953
George's First win: Galway Sun, Catterick Bridge, November 3, 1951
George's First win: Galway Sun, Catterick Bridge, November 3, 1951
