George Bullock

1885-1918

Article by Alan Trout

George Hollingshead Bullock was a leading northern jockey in the early years of the 20th century. Riding in two separate two-year spells he managed 35 winners. He also rode abroad, notably for a leading South African industrialist and friend of Cecil Rhodes.

Born in Stockport in 1885, George Bullock was apprenticed to William Elsey at Baumber, Lincolnshire and had his first ride on the opening day of the 1904 Flat season, March 21, when partnering Expostulation, who finished unplaced in the Tathwell Auction Stakes at Lincoln. Two weeks later he rode his first winner when Lockinge won the Newcastle Spring Handicap at that course on April 4. He finished the year with a score of 18 wins.

He began 1905 with an unlucky second-place finish on Catty Cratg, the 11-2 joint-favourite, in the Lincolnshire Handicap on March 28. His mount was shut in when the time came to deliver his challenge and he failed by just a head to catch the winner, Sansovino, the mount of William Griggs. Three wins at Pontefract’s two-day meeting in April soon followed, but his last win that year was aboard Oriel Window in the Mile Selling Plate at Carlisle in May, and he finished the season with a score of just five. 

It was to be seven years before he reappeared on an English racecourse, and for part of that time at least he rode in South Africa for Sir Abe Bailey who was busy building up his business empire which would make him one of the richest men in the world. 

Although George rode only three winners in 1912, he had more success with nine in 1913. His last winner was Vanity Box in the Meadow Welter Handicap at Windsor on August 16, 1913. 

He had some rides in 1914 but there were no further victories. His final mount was on Marcina, who finished unplaced in the Wiltshire Plate at Salisbury on May 21, 1914. 

George Bullock’s death in South Africa was reported in the press in early 1918, but the exact date and circumstances were not given.