George Gunter
1877 - 1963
1877 - 1963
George Gunter was born on December 1, 1877, the son of Robert Gunter. He was educated at Eton and then at Cirencester Agricultural College. It was while at the college that he rode his first winner in 1899.
George Gunter was born on December 1, 1877, the son of Robert Gunter. He was educated at Eton and then at Cirencester Agricultural College. It was while at the college that he rode his first winner in 1899.
He went on to become a successful amateur rider both on the Flat and over jumps. He was champion amateur on the Flat in 1909.
He went on to become a successful amateur rider both on the Flat and over jumps. He was champion amateur on the Flat in 1909.
At Hexham one day, he was called before the stewards after having come with a great rush at the finish of a race, when too late to win after seemingly allowing his mount to go to sleep for much of the trip. In fact, he was riding with a broken stirrup leather, which inhibited him over the jumps, although he could manage reasonably well when he was on the flat between fences. When asked to explain his riding, he replied: “Gentlemen, I am not a circus performer!”
At Hexham one day, he was called before the stewards after having come with a great rush at the finish of a race, when too late to win after seemingly allowing his mount to go to sleep for much of the trip. In fact, he was riding with a broken stirrup leather, which inhibited him over the jumps, although he could manage reasonably well when he was on the flat between fences. When asked to explain his riding, he replied: “Gentlemen, I am not a circus performer!”
He trained at Wetherby for well over 30 years while continuing to ride in races until he was 56. His last winning ride was on Nawton, trained by Charlie Kettlewell, in the Ripley Plate at Ripon on September 16, 1933.
He trained at Wetherby for well over 30 years while continuing to ride in races until he was 56. His last winning ride was on Nawton, trained by Charlie Kettlewell, in the Ripley Plate at Ripon on September 16, 1933.
When in his 80s, though disabled by sciatica, the result of racecourse falls and being mailed by a stallion, George regularly attended Wetherby races, where he had ridden so many of his winners.
When in his 80s, though disabled by sciatica, the result of racecourse falls and being mailed by a stallion, George regularly attended Wetherby races, where he had ridden so many of his winners.
George Gunter died in a York nursing home on March 14, 1963, aged 85. He left £7,310.
George Gunter died in a York nursing home on March 14, 1963, aged 85. He left £7,310.