George Duller
1891 - 1962
Duller was an expert in motor racing but it was as a hurdle race jockey that he made his name. Riding the equally brilliant hurdler, Trespasser, which, up to then, was probably the greatest hurdler ever seen, George Duller won Sandown's Imperial Cup three times. This was a race he was to win seven times in all.
Duller was an expert in motor racing but it was as a hurdle race jockey that he made his name. Riding the equally brilliant hurdler, Trespasser, which, up to then, was probably the greatest hurdler ever seen, George Duller won Sandown's Imperial Cup three times. This was a race he was to win seven times in all.
Hurdle races in the 1920s were run at a much more sedate pace than they are nowadays - this suited George's waiting in front tactics and mostly he was able to dictate a race's pace. His father had trained trotters on the clock; from this, George acquired his exceptional judgment of pace.
Hurdle races in the 1920s were run at a much more sedate pace than they are nowadays - this suited George's waiting in front tactics and mostly he was able to dictate a race's pace. His father had trained trotters on the clock; from this, George acquired his exceptional judgment of pace.
Short and strongly built, he revolutionised the art of National Art racing by adopting a pronounced crouch seat which enabled him to get his horses fast away from their hurdles without breaking their rhythm.
Short and strongly built, he revolutionised the art of National Art racing by adopting a pronounced crouch seat which enabled him to get his horses fast away from their hurdles without breaking their rhythm.
George was Champion jockey in 1918 with 17 winners and, between 1920 and 1928, he rode 358 more.
George was Champion jockey in 1918 with 17 winners and, between 1920 and 1928, he rode 358 more.
His best season came in 1922 when, from just 239 rides, he rode 97 winners.
His best season came in 1922 when, from just 239 rides, he rode 97 winners.
Like many other jockeys, he turned to training and did well with just a few horses.
Like many other jockeys, he turned to training and did well with just a few horses.
As well as driving at Brooklands (motor racing) course, George was also able to fly his own plane.
As well as driving at Brooklands (motor racing) course, George was also able to fly his own plane.
After racing, he returned to horses and trained hurdlers.
After racing, he returned to horses and trained hurdlers.
George Duller was married to Violette Cordery's sister, who in turn was married to John Hindmarsh, and also raced. George died while attending the Epsom horse race meeting on August Bank Holiday Monday (August 6) 1962.
George Duller was married to Violette Cordery's sister, who in turn was married to John Hindmarsh, and also raced. George died while attending the Epsom horse race meeting on August Bank Holiday Monday (August 6) 1962.
He was 71 and left £5,592.
He was 71 and left £5,592.
Cheltenham named a race after him.
Cheltenham named a race after him.
George Edward Duller was born at Canning Town, London, on January 26, 1891. He was apprenticed to Walter Schwind and his father, George Henry Duller.
George Edward Duller was born at Canning Town, London, on January 26, 1891. He was apprenticed to Walter Schwind and his father, George Henry Duller.
He was the first jockey to wear a crash helmet.
He was the first jockey to wear a crash helmet.
He rarely rode over fences but did partner Silver Ring in the 1920 National (fell).
He rarely rode over fences but did partner Silver Ring in the 1920 National (fell).
In February 1928, George Edward Duller, then living at Park View, Ashley Road, Epsom, was summoned at Kingston County Court for dangerous driving and for failing to stop after an accident. On January 18 that year, he had knocked Mrs. Katherine Bates off her bicycle. She was thrown into a gutter, her bike badly damaged.
In February 1928, George Edward Duller, then living at Park View, Ashley Road, Epsom, was summoned at Kingston County Court for dangerous driving and for failing to stop after an accident. On January 18 that year, he had knocked Mrs. Katherine Bates off her bicycle. She was thrown into a gutter, her bike badly damaged.
Giving evidence, George said he did not know there had been an accident or he would have stopped.
Giving evidence, George said he did not know there had been an accident or he would have stopped.
He was ordered to pay £20 for dangerous driving, £10 for failing to stop and £6 9s. 3d. costs. His licence was suspended for six months.
He was ordered to pay £20 for dangerous driving, £10 for failing to stop and £6 9s. 3d. costs. His licence was suspended for six months.
Best wins:
Best wins:
1914: Imperial Cup - Vermouth
1914: Imperial Cup - Vermouth
1918: Jubilee Hurdle - Stainton
1918: Jubilee Hurdle - Stainton
1920: Jubilee Hurdle - Frank Webber.
1920: Jubilee Hurdle - Frank Webber.
1920: Imperial Cup - Trespasser
1920: Imperial Cup - Trespasser
1920: County Hurdle - Trespasser
1920: County Hurdle - Trespasser
1921: Imperial Cup - Trespasser
1921: Imperial Cup - Trespasser
1922: Liverpool Hurdle - Court Rose
1922: Liverpool Hurdle - Court Rose
1922: Imperial Cup - Trespasser
1922: Imperial Cup - Trespasser
1924: County Hurdle - Argo
1924: County Hurdle - Argo
1926: County Hurdle - Checktaker
1926: County Hurdle - Checktaker
1926: Imperial Cup - Peeping Tom
1926: Imperial Cup - Peeping Tom
1927: Champion Hurdle - Blaris
1927: Champion Hurdle - Blaris
1928: Liverpool Hurdle - Stuff Gown
1928: Liverpool Hurdle - Stuff Gown
1929: Imperial Cup - Hercules
1929: Imperial Cup - Hercules
