George Holman
1842 - 1896
1842 - 1896
George Christopher Holman, the second of William's six sons, was born in Gloucestershire in 1842. Racing was in his blood.
George Christopher Holman, the second of William's six sons, was born in Gloucestershire in 1842. Racing was in his blood.
Whilst still a teenager, George landed his first big winner when Tamworth, owned by Christopher Holman, won the Reading Steeplechase. George also found great success at Croydon, particularly with Globule, winner of the 1866 Grand Metropolitan Steeplechase. He rode Globule in the following year's Grand National, finishing fourth to the Duke of Hamilton's Cortolvin. Compensation came the following spring at Lincoln when George and The Doctor won the Grand Steeplechase. George was beaten out of sight on Mr Morgan's Huntsman's Daughter in the 1968 Grand National behind The Lamb, but - a day later on the same course and back on The Doctor - won a valuable steeplechase. George and The Doctor continued their successful partnership a fortnight later, taking the Rugby Open Handicap at the Grand Military Hunt meeting.
Whilst still a teenager, George landed his first big winner when Tamworth, owned by Christopher Holman, won the Reading Steeplechase. George also found great success at Croydon, particularly with Globule, winner of the 1866 Grand Metropolitan Steeplechase. He rode Globule in the following year's Grand National, finishing fourth to the Duke of Hamilton's Cortolvin. Compensation came the following spring at Lincoln when George and The Doctor won the Grand Steeplechase. George was beaten out of sight on Mr Morgan's Huntsman's Daughter in the 1968 Grand National behind The Lamb, but - a day later on the same course and back on The Doctor - won a valuable steeplechase. George and The Doctor continued their successful partnership a fortnight later, taking the Rugby Open Handicap at the Grand Military Hunt meeting.
Having finished third on Globule in Warwick's 1868 Grand Annual, won by Musketeer, George's next winning ride was on Tally-ho in the Grand Annual Steeplechase. Oddfellow and Royal Irish Fusilier filled the places. George was beaten on Brick by Lifeboat over Croydon's Grand Metropolitan course, but was back at the course the following spring to win the Grand Open Handicap Chase for Mr Morgan. Another good win that year came in the Autumn Steeplechase at Shrewsbury before finishing unplaced in Croydon's Grand National Hurdle Race.
Having finished third on Globule in Warwick's 1868 Grand Annual, won by Musketeer, George's next winning ride was on Tally-ho in the Grand Annual Steeplechase. Oddfellow and Royal Irish Fusilier filled the places. George was beaten on Brick by Lifeboat over Croydon's Grand Metropolitan course, but was back at the course the following spring to win the Grand Open Handicap Chase for Mr Morgan. Another good win that year came in the Autumn Steeplechase at Shrewsbury before finishing unplaced in Croydon's Grand National Hurdle Race.
For George, his ride on The Doctor in the 1870 Grand National was one to forget. In the most desperate of finishes, George was beaten a neck by The Colonel, and because of his barbaric treatment of the horse, he was prosecuted at the instance of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Staggeringly, the charge was dismissed as George's lawyer earned his keep. Even more surprising was that The Doctor, apparently none the worse, won its next two races, the Coventry Steeplechase at the Warwick Spring Meeting and the Prince of Wales's Handicap at Cheltenham.
For George, his ride on The Doctor in the 1870 Grand National was one to forget. In the most desperate of finishes, George was beaten a neck by The Colonel, and because of his barbaric treatment of the horse, he was prosecuted at the instance of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Staggeringly, the charge was dismissed as George's lawyer earned his keep. Even more surprising was that The Doctor, apparently none the worse, won its next two races, the Coventry Steeplechase at the Warwick Spring Meeting and the Prince of Wales's Handicap at Cheltenham.
That year, George also won the Birmingham Grand Annual Steeplechase and the Cheltenham Grand Annual Steeplechase on the formidable Penarth (a half-brother to Albert Victor and George Frederick). He then won both the Warwick Steeplechase and Croydon Cup on L'Aricaine and the Cheltenham Grand Annual on the last good horse he rode, Master Mowbray.
That year, George also won the Birmingham Grand Annual Steeplechase and the Cheltenham Grand Annual Steeplechase on the formidable Penarth (a half-brother to Albert Victor and George Frederick). He then won both the Warwick Steeplechase and Croydon Cup on L'Aricaine and the Cheltenham Grand Annual on the last good horse he rode, Master Mowbray.
To the regret of many, George Holman retired in his prime, but domestic reasons hastened his decision so to do. During his career he had broken almost every bone in his body and, after his marriage to Miss Amy Pottinger, he announced his intention to start up as a public trainer. He was immediately inundated with offers of horses and within a short space of time had the nucleus of a really strong team at his newly founded Epsom stable. However, his utter lack of business aptitude did nothing to help his progress as a public trainer and, although he got home the occasional winner for the Duke of Hamilton or Mr Cartwright, he quite miserably failed the expectations of his numerous friends, and very reluctantly had to leave Epsom.
To the regret of many, George Holman retired in his prime, but domestic reasons hastened his decision so to do. During his career he had broken almost every bone in his body and, after his marriage to Miss Amy Pottinger, he announced his intention to start up as a public trainer. He was immediately inundated with offers of horses and within a short space of time had the nucleus of a really strong team at his newly founded Epsom stable. However, his utter lack of business aptitude did nothing to help his progress as a public trainer and, although he got home the occasional winner for the Duke of Hamilton or Mr Cartwright, he quite miserably failed the expectations of his numerous friends, and very reluctantly had to leave Epsom.
It was then that the generous and easy going George Holman found to his cost that when success became a stranger to his stable, his many so-called friends were not so keen with their patronage.
It was then that the generous and easy going George Holman found to his cost that when success became a stranger to his stable, his many so-called friends were not so keen with their patronage.
However, a lifeline was thrown when a prominent sportswoman in South America asked George to became her private trainer there. It was a lucrative offer readily accepted. Initially, George did well, but, being homesick, soon tired of the life out there. Greatly to the surprise of his family, he turned up at Cheltenham after a stay of less than two years.
However, a lifeline was thrown when a prominent sportswoman in South America asked George to became her private trainer there. It was a lucrative offer readily accepted. Initially, George did well, but, being homesick, soon tired of the life out there. Greatly to the surprise of his family, he turned up at Cheltenham after a stay of less than two years.
George settled down in the vicinity of his native town, drifting slowly into a purely agricultural life.
George settled down in the vicinity of his native town, drifting slowly into a purely agricultural life.
He bought a farm in Pitville where he schooled a few young hunters before removing to Lake House, Prestbury, Cheltenham, to spend his remaining years.
He bought a farm in Pitville where he schooled a few young hunters before removing to Lake House, Prestbury, Cheltenham, to spend his remaining years.
It was here that George, aged 54, died from a severe attack of influenza on Monday, March 16 1896.
It was here that George, aged 54, died from a severe attack of influenza on Monday, March 16 1896.
He was buried at Prestbury close to the grave of William Archer.
He was buried at Prestbury close to the grave of William Archer.