George Milburn

Born on August 5, 1932, in Corbridge, Northumberland, George Barton Milburn rode his first winner when, on Whit Saturday (23 May), 1953, bringing the 12-year-old Hurgill Lad home at Hexham for trainer Max Smith.

George had graduated that year after taking agriculture at Newcastle University and had been taken on by Major Calverly Bewicke as assistant farm manager. He was also promised the odd ride when possible.

George's talent in the saddle became quickly apparent: the stewards certainly noticed and insisted he turn professional the next season.

One of the Major's better class horses was Gentle Moya: John Straker had won the Grand Sefton on her in 1955, but, in 1956, having been injured, he was replaced by George to ride her in the Grand National. Second time at the Canal turn, the mare blundered, but she plugged on into third behind the fortunate E.S.B., who took advantage of Devon Loch's run-in collapse.

George also rode in the Sandown race later (on Green Drill) when Devon Loch collapsed for a second time. George put it down to the same muscular cramp and seizure which had brought the horse down at Aintree. (Devon Loch never ran again after this second incident.)

George's best chance of a big winner in 1957 came on the mare Kerstin in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, who failed by a gallant length to withhold Linwell, ridden by Michael Scudamore at the peak of his powers.

A few weeks later George was back on board the stockily-built Gentle Moya for a second attempt at the National. They finished last of 11 finishers, and the mare was promptly retired.

In 1958, George was back at Aintree, this time on the idle and somewhat reluctant Green Drill, who needing pushing every yard of the way.

Exhausted, George got him home third, just behind Mr What and Tiberetta.

George was never destined to win the big race: he came to grief on Green Drill at the second Canal Turn in 1959 and, in 1960, finished sixth on the same horse. His 1962 mount, Duplicator, crashed out at the nineteenth and, in 1965, climbed aboard the pint-sized Rainbow Battle for one last stab at glory. For such a small horse she put in an excellent round and finished fourth.

George was now riding for Ken Oliver, and it was for this trainer that he had one of his greatest triumphs. Riding the gelding Arctic Sunset, he won the Cotswold Chase (later renamed the Arkle) at the Cheltenham Festival of 1966.

George suffered a somewhat ungracious finish to his days in the saddle.

After taking a ride at Sedgefield in early September, 1967, he received a phone call from Ken Oliver saying that Arctic Sunset's owner wanted Barry Brogan to ride the horse in future, otherwise he would move the horse to another stable.

George quit on the spot, and never rode again.

His love of farming resurfacing, George built up a poultry smallholding, mass-producing eggs. On the success of this, he acquired a fruit & veg shop in Alnwick.

He continued to go racing, and, in his later years, was often to be seen at his local point-to-point meetings.

George Milburn died on March 18, 2020, aged 87.

Big winners:

1955: Grand Sefton Chase – Gentle Moya

1956: National Hunt Handicap Chase – Kerstin

1957: Victory Chase – Buttercleugh

1957: Emblem Chase – Green Drill

1965: Henry VIII Novices’ Chase – Arctic Sunset

1965: Cotswold Chase – Arctic Sunset

1965: Grand Annual Handicap Chase – Fort Rouge

1966: County Handicap Hurdle – Roaring Twenties