On Wednesday, August 7, 1895, George Walter Brown steered Santa Luna to victory in the Pavilion Plate at Brighton. This was his 20th win of the season.
George – who had just come back from a short suspension for failing to respect the starter at Kempton Park – then lined up for the next race, the Sussex Plate.
With barely a furlong covered, his mount, Mr Kilsyth’s Woodhouse, became involved in a scrimmage, and George was thrown.
He was at once conveyed to Brighton Infirmary where his condition steadily grew worse. His parents were summoned from their home in Stockbridge.
He died from a concussion of the brain at 1.00 am on Friday, August 9. He had recently celebrated his 20th birthday.
George Brown was born in Stockbridge on July 21, 1875. Originally an apprentice with Tom Cannon at Danebury, he had commenced riding in public in his early teens but had only come to prominence in the last three years.
In 1892, he won Kempton's Jubilee on the 20-1 shot, Euclid, beating twenty others. That year he had 173 mounts.
He rode 14 winners in 1893, then in 1894 he won 59 races from 416 mounts, plus 58 seconds and 52 thirds.
Following his tragic death, all Mr Barclay’s, Mr Merry’s and Captain Homfray’s horses were struck out of their Lewes engagements as a mark of respect to the memory of the late Seven Barrows Stable’s jockey.
An inquest was held on the evening of George’s death where a witness, Mr Gandey, stated that Woodhouse did not fall. George had been thrown clear but his horse had then trodden on his face.
The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.
