George Kyle
On Saturday May 16, 1970, at Ayr racecourse, George Kyle made a curious announcement.
On Saturday May 16, 1970, at Ayr racecourse, George Kyle made a curious announcement.
At the age of 21 and with just 35 winners behind him, he said that he had 'lost interest in racing' and intended leaving the game in the next fortnight.
At the age of 21 and with just 35 winners behind him, he said that he had 'lost interest in racing' and intended leaving the game in the next fortnight.
A rumour had swept the course that Kilmarnock-born Kyle had been sacked by Nigel Angus, to whom he was apprenticed.
A rumour had swept the course that Kilmarnock-born Kyle had been sacked by Nigel Angus, to whom he was apprenticed.
'Absolute rubbish.' said Angus. 'George and I are on the best of terms and I am sorry that he wants to leave racing when he is doing so well. I have given him a fortnight to think about it and I hope he will change his mind.'
'Absolute rubbish.' said Angus. 'George and I are on the best of terms and I am sorry that he wants to leave racing when he is doing so well. I have given him a fortnight to think about it and I hope he will change his mind.'
Kyle, originally apprenticed to Atty Corbett for whom he rode four winners before joining Harry Wightman in 1967 said: 'It's just that I've lost interest in racing, nothing more. I was thinking of packing it in last season. I have one or two things in mind, but nothing definite. Mr Angus doesn't want me to leave, but I don't think I'll change my mind.'
Kyle, originally apprenticed to Atty Corbett for whom he rode four winners before joining Harry Wightman in 1967 said: 'It's just that I've lost interest in racing, nothing more. I was thinking of packing it in last season. I have one or two things in mind, but nothing definite. Mr Angus doesn't want me to leave, but I don't think I'll change my mind.'
Racing seemed to have lost a promising rider: nothing was seen of George throughout 1971.
Racing seemed to have lost a promising rider: nothing was seen of George throughout 1971.
Then, on June 1, 1972, his name suddenly re-appeared on the racecard. He was down to ride Bumble for Ryan Price at Yarmouth.
Then, on June 1, 1972, his name suddenly re-appeared on the racecard. He was down to ride Bumble for Ryan Price at Yarmouth.
His first winner back came on Desperate Dan 25/1 for Ryan Price at Folkestone on June 4, 1973. The horse had led all the way and was pulling up some 30 yards beyond the post when he dived for a gate on his left, giving Kyle a heavy fall. The jockey badly bruised his wrist and went home with his arm in a sling.
His first winner back came on Desperate Dan 25/1 for Ryan Price at Folkestone on June 4, 1973. The horse had led all the way and was pulling up some 30 yards beyond the post when he dived for a gate on his left, giving Kyle a heavy fall. The jockey badly bruised his wrist and went home with his arm in a sling.
On Wednesday June 28 1973, Kyle rode what the stewards thought to be an ill-judged race on Gala King in Salisbury's Bibury Cup - he was severely cautioned.
On Wednesday June 28 1973, Kyle rode what the stewards thought to be an ill-judged race on Gala King in Salisbury's Bibury Cup - he was severely cautioned.
George Kyle was born on August 16, 1948 and lived for a time at Soldiers Field, Findon, Sussex.
George Kyle was born on August 16, 1948 and lived for a time at Soldiers Field, Findon, Sussex.
His last ever mount was Swift Falcon for Ryan Price at Bath on Wednesday July 17, 1974.
His last ever mount was Swift Falcon for Ryan Price at Bath on Wednesday July 17, 1974.
Aged 25, he was dead less than a week later, killed in a three-car crash late on Sunday evening, 21 July, on the A24 near Findon. His passenger, fellow jockey Chris Leonard, was severely injured. Chris Leonard, who had been involved in another car crash just three weeks earlier, eventually committed suicide.
Aged 25, he was dead less than a week later, killed in a three-car crash late on Sunday evening, 21 July, on the A24 near Findon. His passenger, fellow jockey Chris Leonard, was severely injured. Chris Leonard, who had been involved in another car crash just three weeks earlier, eventually committed suicide.
George Kyle had enjoyed a variety of sports including football, swimming, boxing and golf.
George Kyle had enjoyed a variety of sports including football, swimming, boxing and golf.
His big race wins had included the Champagne Stakes and the Lanark Silver Bell, the latter on Al-'Alawi in 1968.
His big race wins had included the Champagne Stakes and the Lanark Silver Bell, the latter on Al-'Alawi in 1968.