George Hyams
George Hyams
George Hyams
1874-1954
1874-1954
Born in London in 1874, George Hyams rode just one winner in Britain, that being 5-1 chance Queen Of The Chase in the Spa Nursery Handicap at Warwick on November 19, 1894. He last held a British jockey’s licence in 1897.
Born in London in 1874, George Hyams rode just one winner in Britain, that being 5-1 chance Queen Of The Chase in the Spa Nursery Handicap at Warwick on November 19, 1894. He last held a British jockey’s licence in 1897.
Thereafter he rode mainly in Europe and with far greater success than in the country of his birth. He became a champion jockey in Austria and won the 1899 German Derby on Galifard.
Thereafter he rode mainly in Europe and with far greater success than in the country of his birth. He became a champion jockey in Austria and won the 1899 German Derby on Galifard.
After a successful career as a jockey, George turned his attentions to training. He trained for the Austrian Royal Family prior to World War One. He had been training the largest string in Europe but was forced to flee from Vienna almost overnight when the political situation in Europe declined, reputedly leaving behind a small fortune in the banks.
After a successful career as a jockey, George turned his attentions to training. He trained for the Austrian Royal Family prior to World War One. He had been training the largest string in Europe but was forced to flee from Vienna almost overnight when the political situation in Europe declined, reputedly leaving behind a small fortune in the banks.
He returned to England and headed for Epsom, where the bookmaker Martin Benson (who traded as Dougie Stuart) had bought Down Cottage and rebuilt the stables, along with a trainer’s cottage and a head lad’s cottage. George was installed as his trainer.
He returned to England and headed for Epsom, where the bookmaker Martin Benson (who traded as Dougie Stuart) had bought Down Cottage and rebuilt the stables, along with a trainer’s cottage and a head lad’s cottage. George was installed as his trainer.
However, success on the racecourse proved tougher in England than in Austria. At one time he had both Shaun Spadah and Sergeant Murphy in his stables, but both horses were sold and sent elsewhere prior to winning the Grand National.
However, success on the racecourse proved tougher in England than in Austria. At one time he had both Shaun Spadah and Sergeant Murphy in his stables, but both horses were sold and sent elsewhere prior to winning the Grand National.
George was married to the sister of Marie Lloyd, the musical hall star (jockey Bernard Dillon later married Marie Lloyd). They had three daughters who were much admired in and around Epsom. Two of them married well-known jockeys: Alice was Charlie Smirke’s first wife, while Bessie married George Duller, the latter at Epsom on September 18, 1910. Bessie later married Walter Nightingall.
George was married to the sister of Marie Lloyd, the musical hall star (jockey Bernard Dillon later married Marie Lloyd). They had three daughters who were much admired in and around Epsom. Two of them married well-known jockeys: Alice was Charlie Smirke’s first wife, while Bessie married George Duller, the latter at Epsom on September 18, 1910. Bessie later married Walter Nightingall.
George Hyams retired from training in 1931. He died in 1954.
George Hyams retired from training in 1931. He died in 1954.
George Hyams' only win
George Hyams' only win