George Lowe
Amateur rider George Swift Lowe was born in 1840. He rode almost 200 winners and was among the leading riders of the late 1870s and 1880s.
Amateur rider George Swift Lowe was born in 1840. He rode almost 200 winners and was among the leading riders of the late 1870s and 1880s.
He had his first ride in public on April 26, 1875, finishing unplaced on Mr J. Lowe’s Black Art in the Open Hunt Steeplechase at the annual Weobley Hunt fixture. The Herefordshire village of Weobley staged steeplechase meetings between 1867 and 1877, the course being located in fields close to the Lion Hotel. The last one under National Hunt rules took place in April 1877 but the village maintained an interest in racing by staging point-to-points well into the 20th century.
He had his first ride in public on April 26, 1875, finishing unplaced on Mr J. Lowe’s Black Art in the Open Hunt Steeplechase at the annual Weobley Hunt fixture. The Herefordshire village of Weobley staged steeplechase meetings between 1867 and 1877, the course being located in fields close to the Lion Hotel. The last one under National Hunt rules took place in April 1877 but the village maintained an interest in racing by staging point-to-points well into the 20th century.
Just two days after that initial venture, April 28, 1875, George Lowe was reunited with Black Art at Ludlow to record his first win under National Hunt rules in the Farmers’ Cup, a two-mile Flat race for hunters.
Just two days after that initial venture, April 28, 1875, George Lowe was reunited with Black Art at Ludlow to record his first win under National Hunt rules in the Farmers’ Cup, a two-mile Flat race for hunters.
He had two successful years in 1878 and 1880, riding 27 winners in each and finishing third and fourth respectively in the National Hunt jockeys’ championship. He then enjoyed his two best years in 1881 with 32 wins and 1882 with 34, placing him fourth and third respectively in the jockeys’ table.
He had two successful years in 1878 and 1880, riding 27 winners in each and finishing third and fourth respectively in the National Hunt jockeys’ championship. He then enjoyed his two best years in 1881 with 32 wins and 1882 with 34, placing him fourth and third respectively in the jockeys’ table.
He achieved his greatest victory when winning the 1881 Cheltenham Grand Annual on Mr E. Wills’ chaser Victor II. He twice finished second in the Grand Sefton Chase, on Victor II in 1878 and on another of Mr Wills’ horses, Craven, in 1881. Surprisingly, he never rode in the Grand National.
He achieved his greatest victory when winning the 1881 Cheltenham Grand Annual on Mr E. Wills’ chaser Victor II. He twice finished second in the Grand Sefton Chase, on Victor II in 1878 and on another of Mr Wills’ horses, Craven, in 1881. Surprisingly, he never rode in the Grand National.
During his career he rode one four-timer and no less than seven trebles. His most successful courses were Four Oaks Park, Wenlock and Worcester, scoring 14 times at each of them. His wins at Four Oaks Park, which existed from 1881 to 1889, included a treble on Boxing Day 1882.
During his career he rode one four-timer and no less than seven trebles. His most successful courses were Four Oaks Park, Wenlock and Worcester, scoring 14 times at each of them. His wins at Four Oaks Park, which existed from 1881 to 1889, included a treble on Boxing Day 1882.
He went on to ride a total of 196 winners under National Hunt rules, the last of them on Warrener in the two-mile Selling Hunters’ Steeplechase at Shrewsbury on April 27, 1887. He had his final mount at Wolverhampton the following month, on May 9, finishing unplaced on a horse named Lottery in the two-mile Oxley Manor Hunt Cup.
He went on to ride a total of 196 winners under National Hunt rules, the last of them on Warrener in the two-mile Selling Hunters’ Steeplechase at Shrewsbury on April 27, 1887. He had his final mount at Wolverhampton the following month, on May 9, finishing unplaced on a horse named Lottery in the two-mile Oxley Manor Hunt Cup.
Given his level of success, it is perhaps surprising that he never turned professional. Instead, he remained an amateur throughout.
Given his level of success, it is perhaps surprising that he never turned professional. Instead, he remained an amateur throughout.
George Lowe died circa 1917.
George Lowe died circa 1917.