George Hulme
1899 - 1934
1899 - 1934
Middleweight jockey George Hulme was born in Leeds October 8th 1899 and served an eight years apprenticeship with Richard C. Dawson in Whatcombe, Lambourn. Off the course he was a bright, cheerful individual with a real sense of humour: once there, he became a quiet, private individual, not given to emotional outbursts however great the victory. And there were many of these.
Middleweight jockey George Hulme was born in Leeds October 8th 1899 and served an eight years apprenticeship with Richard C. Dawson in Whatcombe, Lambourn. Off the course he was a bright, cheerful individual with a real sense of humour: once there, he became a quiet, private individual, not given to emotional outbursts however great the victory. And there were many of these.
Two Ascot Gold Cups fell his way: the first was secured for Mr de Pledge on By Jingo, on whom Hulme also won a Manchester Cup – the second was in the colours of William Nelson on the Jubilee winner, Tangiers.
Two Ascot Gold Cups fell his way: the first was secured for Mr de Pledge on By Jingo, on whom Hulme also won a Manchester Cup – the second was in the colours of William Nelson on the Jubilee winner, Tangiers.
The Royal Ascot meeting of 1926 proved particularly lucrative for the Whatcombe jockey; apart from winning the top race he also rode Syrian Prince to victory in the Chesham Stakes, Daylight Patrol in the Waterford Stakes, Orby’s Pride in the Granville Stakes and Dunkirk in the High-weight Stakes. Hulme gained a stunning success on Royal Bucks in the 1919 Lincoln. He was replaced by Steve Donoghue when it went on to win the City and Suburban; Hulme had been claimed to ride the difficult to train Galloper Light who finished fifth.
The Royal Ascot meeting of 1926 proved particularly lucrative for the Whatcombe jockey; apart from winning the top race he also rode Syrian Prince to victory in the Chesham Stakes, Daylight Patrol in the Waterford Stakes, Orby’s Pride in the Granville Stakes and Dunkirk in the High-weight Stakes. Hulme gained a stunning success on Royal Bucks in the 1919 Lincoln. He was replaced by Steve Donoghue when it went on to win the City and Suburban; Hulme had been claimed to ride the difficult to train Galloper Light who finished fifth.
Leaving that Epsom form a mile behind, Royal Bucks and George Hulme then proceeded to take Paris by storm when landing France’s biggest race, the Grand Prix. Calmness personified, he returned to the unsaddling enclosure in the undemonstrative style that was his.
Leaving that Epsom form a mile behind, Royal Bucks and George Hulme then proceeded to take Paris by storm when landing France’s biggest race, the Grand Prix. Calmness personified, he returned to the unsaddling enclosure in the undemonstrative style that was his.
His one classic success came on the handsome chestnut Diaphone in the 1924 Two Thousand Guineas. In a desperate finish in which most people thought that the runner-up, Bright Night, had just held on, the judge disagreed and gave Hulme the verdict.
His one classic success came on the handsome chestnut Diaphone in the 1924 Two Thousand Guineas. In a desperate finish in which most people thought that the runner-up, Bright Night, had just held on, the judge disagreed and gave Hulme the verdict.
Yet George Hulme will forever be associated with the flying grey filly Mumtaz Mahal. Pitted on the gallops against a top quality stablemate – Friar’s Daughter – and giving her two stone, Mumtaz Mahal humiliated her. She went to Newmarket and, ridden by Hulme, broke the course record in a common canter. One of the fastest fillies ever seen on a racecourse, she won the Queen Mary in a canter by 10 lengths before going on to treat her rivals in the Produce, Molecomb and Champagne Stakes, with equal disdain. Hulme rode her on each occasion.
Yet George Hulme will forever be associated with the flying grey filly Mumtaz Mahal. Pitted on the gallops against a top quality stablemate – Friar’s Daughter – and giving her two stone, Mumtaz Mahal humiliated her. She went to Newmarket and, ridden by Hulme, broke the course record in a common canter. One of the fastest fillies ever seen on a racecourse, she won the Queen Mary in a canter by 10 lengths before going on to treat her rivals in the Produce, Molecomb and Champagne Stakes, with equal disdain. Hulme rode her on each occasion.
In 1929, Hulme went to Hungary to ride for Herbert Reeves, whose daughter he married.
In 1929, Hulme went to Hungary to ride for Herbert Reeves, whose daughter he married.
Five years later, on May 17, 1934, during a routine abdominal operation, George Hulme died. He left £15,016
Five years later, on May 17, 1934, during a routine abdominal operation, George Hulme died. He left £15,016
Mumtaz Mahal (named after an Empress of the Mughal Empire) had a great aversion to bullocks and would constantly chase any in the paddock with her.
Mumtaz Mahal (named after an Empress of the Mughal Empire) had a great aversion to bullocks and would constantly chase any in the paddock with her.