George Hunt
1833 - 1906
1833 - 1906
Born near Plymouth in 1833, Captain George Warwick Hunt was universally known in sporting and Army circles as ‘Jonas’ or ‘Balaclava’ Hunt, for two very good reasons.
Born near Plymouth in 1833, Captain George Warwick Hunt was universally known in sporting and Army circles as ‘Jonas’ or ‘Balaclava’ Hunt, for two very good reasons.
He initially enlisted in the 12th Lancers and would have sailed with that regiment on the ill-fated HMS Birkenhead, which she was wrecked on February 26, 1852, while transporting troops to Algoa Bay, some 87 miles from Cape Town. There were not enough serviceable lifeboats for all the passengers, and the soldiers remained on deck, thereby allowing women and children to board the boats and escape the sinking. Only 193 of the 643 people on board survived.
He initially enlisted in the 12th Lancers and would have sailed with that regiment on the ill-fated HMS Birkenhead, which she was wrecked on February 26, 1852, while transporting troops to Algoa Bay, some 87 miles from Cape Town. There were not enough serviceable lifeboats for all the passengers, and the soldiers remained on deck, thereby allowing women and children to board the boats and escape the sinking. Only 193 of the 643 people on board survived.
Fortunately for George Hunt, the Colonel of the 4th Light Dragoons had recently sought and transferred him to his own regiment, just in time to save Captain Hunt from a watery grave, an escape from which earned him the sobriquet of ‘Jonas’ – an alternative rendering of ‘Jonah’.
Fortunately for George Hunt, the Colonel of the 4th Light Dragoons had recently sought and transferred him to his own regiment, just in time to save Captain Hunt from a watery grave, an escape from which earned him the sobriquet of ‘Jonas’ – an alternative rendering of ‘Jonah’.
In 1854, ‘Jonas’ went with the 4th Light Dragoons to Crimea and took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade against the Russian forces during the Battle of Balaclava on October 25 that year. Hence the well-deserved second nickname.
In 1854, ‘Jonas’ went with the 4th Light Dragoons to Crimea and took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade against the Russian forces during the Battle of Balaclava on October 25 that year. Hence the well-deserved second nickname.
Having returned safely to Britain, he achieved his greatest steeplechasing success on Goldsmith, whom he owned and rode to victory in the 1859 Grand Military Gold Cup, held that year at Brixworth, Northamptonshire.
Having returned safely to Britain, he achieved his greatest steeplechasing success on Goldsmith, whom he owned and rode to victory in the 1859 Grand Military Gold Cup, held that year at Brixworth, Northamptonshire.
The following year, 1860, he came within half a length of winning the Grand National as an owner when his horse Huntsman, ridden by Captain Townley, finished second to Anatis, the mount of Tommy Pickernell. Huntsman may have won but for clouting the final obstacle and causing Captain Townley to lose an iron. Having cost just £150, Huntsman proved a bargain for Captain Hunt. He won several chases for him but, alas, he had been sold to Viscount de Namur by the time of his Grand National triumph in 1862.
The following year, 1860, he came within half a length of winning the Grand National as an owner when his horse Huntsman, ridden by Captain Townley, finished second to Anatis, the mount of Tommy Pickernell. Huntsman may have won but for clouting the final obstacle and causing Captain Townley to lose an iron. Having cost just £150, Huntsman proved a bargain for Captain Hunt. He won several chases for him but, alas, he had been sold to Viscount de Namur by the time of his Grand National triumph in 1862.
‘Jonas’ was among the 31 riders who took part in the inaugural running of the National Hunt Steeplechase at Market Harborough in 1860. He rode a horse named Brington but failed to complete the four-mile course.
‘Jonas’ was among the 31 riders who took part in the inaugural running of the National Hunt Steeplechase at Market Harborough in 1860. He rode a horse named Brington but failed to complete the four-mile course.
He was also one of the officers to ride a winner at a military meeting held at Ascot on August 30, 1858, landing the first race on the card on his own horse Little Guard.
He was also one of the officers to ride a winner at a military meeting held at Ascot on August 30, 1858, landing the first race on the card on his own horse Little Guard.
He was a keen foxhunting man and made his headquarters at Market Harborough. However, apart from his Grand Military Gold Cup and Ascot successes, ‘Jonas’ was rarely seen at British racecourses. He did most of his riding in France and Germany. In 1865 at Baden-Baden he won the Damen Preis (the Ladies’ Stakes), a 2,200-metre flat race for gentlemen riders on Count Dampiere’s horse Jarnicoton.
He was a keen foxhunting man and made his headquarters at Market Harborough. However, apart from his Grand Military Gold Cup and Ascot successes, ‘Jonas’ was rarely seen at British racecourses. He did most of his riding in France and Germany. In 1865 at Baden-Baden he won the Damen Preis (the Ladies’ Stakes), a 2,200-metre flat race for gentlemen riders on Count Dampiere’s horse Jarnicoton.
Towards the end of his life he spent much of his time at Brighton, where he could always be found during the ‘Sussex Fortnight’ when racing took place at Goodwood, Brighton and Lewes.
Towards the end of his life he spent much of his time at Brighton, where he could always be found during the ‘Sussex Fortnight’ when racing took place at Goodwood, Brighton and Lewes.
George ‘Jonas’ Hunt died in Torquay on Monday 15 October 1906, aged 73.
George ‘Jonas’ Hunt died in Torquay on Monday 15 October 1906, aged 73.
He married on 17 April 1858
He married on 17 April 1858
George was declared bankrupt in November 1876
George was declared bankrupt in November 1876