George Herbert (‘Pete’) Bostwick was born at Bisby Lake, New York, on August 14, 1909. He and his brother A.C. Bostwick owned and rode horses in steeplechases in the 1930s.
Pete was the better known and was a first-class jockey over hurdles and fences. Both brothers were also in the international class at polo in the U.S.A.
‘Pete’ Bostwick rode with relatively short stirrups for the time and had a forward seat, whereas it was still the fashion for most amateur riders – and many professionals – to sit well back in the saddle.
He enjoyed plenty of success riding in Britain. His two biggest wins both came in 1933, when he won the Imperial Cup on Flaming and the Liverpool Foxhunters’ Chase on Minstrel Boy.
He rode in three Grand Nationals. His first attempt, on Mr Jock Whitney’s Dusty Foot in 1933, ended with a fall. So too did his second attempt, riding his own horse Castle Irwell in 1935. However, in 1936 he completed the course in seventh place on Castle Irwell.
His major wins in America included the Brook Steeplechase at Belmont Park twice on Ruler ((1929, 1930), and the Meadow Brook Hurdle, also at Belmont Park, three years running on Canterbury (1929), Darkness (1930) and Chenango (1931).
His brother A.C. Bostwick big wins included the International Handicap Steeplechase at Belmont Park on Bangle (1929).
‘Pete’ Bostwick died of a heart attack while playing polo in New York on January 13, 1982. He was 72.
