George Ede
1834 - 1870
George Matthew Ede, also known as Mr Edwards, was born on February 22, 1834, at Clayfield Lodge, Southampton.
George Matthew Ede, also known as Mr Edwards, was born on February 22, 1834, at Clayfield Lodge, Southampton.
He was the twin son of a Hampshire gentleman named Joe Ede, who ran a windmill estate in the West Indies and had a sugar factory in Tottenham. He was also involved as a slave trader. George rode The Lamb to victory in the 1868 (March 4) Grand National. (This was just one of 306 winners that he partnered in a brilliant career.)
He was the twin son of a Hampshire gentleman named Joe Ede, who ran a windmill estate in the West Indies and had a sugar factory in Tottenham. He was also involved as a slave trader. George rode The Lamb to victory in the 1868 (March 4) Grand National. (This was just one of 306 winners that he partnered in a brilliant career.)
His twin brother, Edward Lee, (died 7 July 1908) also rode as an amateur.
His twin brother, Edward Lee, (died 7 July 1908) also rode as an amateur.
About to leave the course two years later, he was approached by a trainer begging him to ride Chippenham in the Grand Sefton the next day. George's friend, Arthur Yates, implored him: 'Don't ride the brute, George. He will kill you'.
About to leave the course two years later, he was approached by a trainer begging him to ride Chippenham in the Grand Sefton the next day. George's friend, Arthur Yates, implored him: 'Don't ride the brute, George. He will kill you'.
George, about to retire and marry, did ride him and, at the very fence which had claimed the life of Joseph Wynne eight years earlier, was killed in a terrible fall.
George, about to retire and marry, did ride him and, at the very fence which had claimed the life of Joseph Wynne eight years earlier, was killed in a terrible fall.
An inquest was held at the Black Bull Inn, near Aintree on Tuesday 15 March 1870. They heard how Mr Ede had attended the Aintree meeting which had begun on Tuesday 8 March and finished on Thursday 10 March. It was on the last day of the meeting that Mr Ede fell from his horse.
An inquest was held at the Black Bull Inn, near Aintree on Tuesday 15 March 1870. They heard how Mr Ede had attended the Aintree meeting which had begun on Tuesday 8 March and finished on Thursday 10 March. It was on the last day of the meeting that Mr Ede fell from his horse.
Rumours at first indicated that he had been killed outright: this was incorrect. Mr Ede, seriously injured, had been taken to a cottage in the neighbourhood where he remained until he died on the Sunday night. He never regained consciousness. Several of his ribs had been broken. Also, his foot had been caught in the stirrup after he had fallen and the horse had trampled on him.
Rumours at first indicated that he had been killed outright: this was incorrect. Mr Ede, seriously injured, had been taken to a cottage in the neighbourhood where he remained until he died on the Sunday night. He never regained consciousness. Several of his ribs had been broken. Also, his foot had been caught in the stirrup after he had fallen and the horse had trampled on him.
His twin brother, Edward, was in the neighbourhood at the time of his death but not present at the bedside.
His twin brother, Edward, was in the neighbourhood at the time of his death but not present at the bedside.
Thomas Guthrop, travelling valet to the deceased, said that Mr Ede lived at Southampton and, on the morning of the race, was in capital health. His habits, said Guthrop, were temperate; he seldom drank anything other than claret.
Thomas Guthrop, travelling valet to the deceased, said that Mr Ede lived at Southampton and, on the morning of the race, was in capital health. His habits, said Guthrop, were temperate; he seldom drank anything other than claret.
The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.
The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.
George Ede, tall and elegant, was the son of a wealthy Southampton landowner. He and his brother were both educated at Eton and were both prominent cricketers.
George Ede, tall and elegant, was the son of a wealthy Southampton landowner. He and his brother were both educated at Eton and were both prominent cricketers.
Such was George's love of the game that, together with his close friend and patron Lord Poulet, he founded the Hampshire Club for which he batted with distinction.
Such was George's love of the game that, together with his close friend and patron Lord Poulet, he founded the Hampshire Club for which he batted with distinction.
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