George Armstrong

George Armstrong

Article by Alan Trout

Although George Robert Armstrong rode the occasional National Hunt winner in the late 1890s, it was not until 1900 that he made a breakthrough with nine victories, followed by three more in 1901, but no more after that. 

His first three wins were all gained on Lil II, beginning at Gatwick in the London Steeplechase on November 2, 1896. His fourth win, a five-length victory aboard Abbeyhill in the St Piers Selling Handicap Chase at Lingfield on February 21, 1899, was notable for the minor placings being filled by Ernie Piggott and Percy Woodland, two of the outstanding jockeys of the period. 

A double at Hawthorn Hill was among the highlights of George’s successful 1900 campaign. All his nine wins that year were over fences, and all but one were sellers. 

It was in such a race that George had his final success when Mack Briggs won the Twyford Selling Handicap Chase at Maiden Erlegh on March 20, 1901, winning by a head from leading amateur Frank Hartigan on Bee Catcher. 

George Armstrong last held a licence in 1902. His wins were, in chronological order:

1. Lil II, Gatwick, November 2, 1896

2. Lil II, Kempton Park, December 28, 1896

3. Lil II, Lingfield Park, January 8, 1897

4. Abbeyhill, Lingfield Park, February 21, 1899

5. Enfield, Wye, March 12, 1900

6. Cooksbridge, Hawthorn Hill, April 20, 1900

7. Chevy Chase, Hawthorn Hill, April 20, 1900

8. Walton Pride, Gatwick, April 21, 1900

9. Whitehaven, Portsmouth Park, May 8, 1900

10. Whitehaven, Plymouth, September 6, 1900

11. Organ Grinder, Plumpton, December 6, 1900

12. Organ Grinder, Windsor, December 22, 1900

13. Organ Grinder, Wolverhampton, December 26, 1900

14. Organ Grinder, Manchester, January 15, 1901

15. San Lucar, Folkestone, February 12, 1901

16. Mack Briggs, Maiden Erlegh, March 20, 1901