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Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Scottish National Hunt jockey Thomas George Dun, better known as Geordie Dun, was born in Edinburgh on October 18, 1958, the son of trainer Tommy Dun. He began his career as an amateur and rode his first winner on Thumbeleena, owned by his mother Jackie and trained by his father, at Perth on May 18, 1977. He was still only 20 when crowned champion amateur rider for the 1978/79 season with 26 wins.
Scottish National Hunt jockey Thomas George Dun, better known as Geordie Dun, was born in Edinburgh on October 18, 1958, the son of trainer Tommy Dun. He began his career as an amateur and rode his first winner on Thumbeleena, owned by his mother Jackie and trained by his father, at Perth on May 18, 1977. He was still only 20 when crowned champion amateur rider for the 1978/79 season with 26 wins.
Geordie finished fourth in the 1981 Grand National on Three To One, having fallen on him at Becher’s second time round when going well in third place the previous year.
Geordie finished fourth in the 1981 Grand National on Three To One, having fallen on him at Becher’s second time round when going well in third place the previous year.
He gained his first major victory while still an amateur in the 1981 Welsh Grand National on Peaty Sandy. Named after a bay in Caithness, Peaty Sandy was owned and trained by Helen Hamilton on her farm at Innerleithen, Peeblesshire, and was the first Scottish-trained horse to win the Welsh Grand National. Geordie turned professional in March 1982 and rode Peaty Sandy in that year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, finishing unplaced. He also finished sixth on Peaty Sandy in the 1983 Grand National.
He gained his first major victory while still an amateur in the 1981 Welsh Grand National on Peaty Sandy. Named after a bay in Caithness, Peaty Sandy was owned and trained by Helen Hamilton on her farm at Innerleithen, Peeblesshire, and was the first Scottish-trained horse to win the Welsh Grand National. Geordie turned professional in March 1982 and rode Peaty Sandy in that year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, finishing unplaced. He also finished sixth on Peaty Sandy in the 1983 Grand National.
In 1983 he won the Waterford Crystal Stayers’ Hurdle on A Kinsman and the pair gained another Cheltenham Festival success in the 1984 Sun Alliance Chase. A Kinsman was trained by John Brockbank, from Wigton, in Cumbria, and was named after a family friend, Amanda Kinsman.
In 1983 he won the Waterford Crystal Stayers’ Hurdle on A Kinsman and the pair gained another Cheltenham Festival success in the 1984 Sun Alliance Chase. A Kinsman was trained by John Brockbank, from Wigton, in Cumbria, and was named after a family friend, Amanda Kinsman.
Geordie finished third behind Wayward Lad and Combs Ditch on Earl’s Brig in the 1985 King George VI Chase at Kempton. He rode winners for Wayward Lad’s trainer Michael Dickinson and was retained by Ken Oliver before moving on to John Wilson, who had not long taken out a trainer’s licence, operating from historic Cree Lodge stables at Ayr.
Geordie finished third behind Wayward Lad and Combs Ditch on Earl’s Brig in the 1985 King George VI Chase at Kempton. He rode winners for Wayward Lad’s trainer Michael Dickinson and was retained by Ken Oliver before moving on to John Wilson, who had not long taken out a trainer’s licence, operating from historic Cree Lodge stables at Ayr.
After getting married, Geordie made his home at Nether Brotherstone, near Heriot, roughly halfway between Edinburgh and Innerleithen. He retired from the saddle at the end of the 1986/87 season.
After getting married, Geordie made his home at Nether Brotherstone, near Heriot, roughly halfway between Edinburgh and Innerleithen. He retired from the saddle at the end of the 1986/87 season.
His younger brother Peter made a promising start to his riding career before suffering a career-ending and life-threatening injury in a fall at Hexham in May 1985, from which he eventually recovered.
His younger brother Peter made a promising start to his riding career before suffering a career-ending and life-threatening injury in a fall at Hexham in May 1985, from which he eventually recovered.
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