George Arran

On Saturday evening, March 16, 1861, a Malton jockey, George Arran, committed suicide in The Stanley Arms public house, Liverpool, by drinking a dose of oxalic acid.

Aged between thirty and forty, he had gone to Liverpool on the understanding that he was to ride in one of the races. On arrival, he was informed that his services would not be required.

Disenchanted, George had returned to the Stanley Arms where he asked the landlord, Mr Thompson, for a small glass of water. George then took a paper with powder in it from his pocket which he mixed with the water.

He immediately drunk the mixture and within moments became violently ill. Medical aid was at once sent for and Doctor Slack from Islington Flags, arrived within fifteen minutes. Sadly, George had already died.

The troubled jockey had earlier disclosed to a casual companion his intention to kill himself, but this, being looked on as an idle threat, was disregarded.

He had one ride in the Grand National, on Quadruped in 1850, but failed to finish.