George Moore
1923 - 2008
1923 - 2008
George Thomas Donald Moore was born in Mackay, Queensland on 5 July, 1923.
George Thomas Donald Moore was born in Mackay, Queensland on 5 July, 1923.
He moved to Brisbane to become an apprentice jockey in 1938, and rode his first winner on New Year's Day, 1940.
He moved to Brisbane to become an apprentice jockey in 1938, and rode his first winner on New Year's Day, 1940.
He teamed up with trainer Tommy Smith in Sydney and, in the post-war years, the two dominated Australian racing to such effect that Moore became Sydney's Champion Jockey ten times from 1957 - 1969.
He teamed up with trainer Tommy Smith in Sydney and, in the post-war years, the two dominated Australian racing to such effect that Moore became Sydney's Champion Jockey ten times from 1957 - 1969.
Despite its success, the relationship was a stormy one at best with neither liking the other.
Despite its success, the relationship was a stormy one at best with neither liking the other.
One morning, after Moore had ridden out on the gallops, Smith said to him: 'You disobeyed my specific instructions, you no-good layabout. Who do you think you are?'
One morning, after Moore had ridden out on the gallops, Smith said to him: 'You disobeyed my specific instructions, you no-good layabout. Who do you think you are?'
Moore, dismounting, replied 'Who do you think you are to talk to me like that? You make me sick. As a jockey you were hopeless. You couldn't keep your seat on a rocking horse.'
Moore, dismounting, replied 'Who do you think you are to talk to me like that? You make me sick. As a jockey you were hopeless. You couldn't keep your seat on a rocking horse.'
Moore was suspended for two-and-a-half years in the mid-fifties which spurred him to try his luck in Europe. He had admitted backing a horse he owned in a race that went on to win while he rode another.
Moore was suspended for two-and-a-half years in the mid-fifties which spurred him to try his luck in Europe. He had admitted backing a horse he owned in a race that went on to win while he rode another.
His first European winner of note was Taboun in the English 2,000 Guineas 1959. Later that year he won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Saint Crespin. He next won the 1960 French classic, the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly on Charlottesville before taking the Ascot Gold Cup on Sheshoon.
His first European winner of note was Taboun in the English 2,000 Guineas 1959. Later that year he won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Saint Crespin. He next won the 1960 French classic, the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly on Charlottesville before taking the Ascot Gold Cup on Sheshoon.
He continued to return to Australia and win his series of jockeys' championships, but a short spell in England, when he teamed up with Noel Murless, in 1967, gave him the best year of his career.
He continued to return to Australia and win his series of jockeys' championships, but a short spell in England, when he teamed up with Noel Murless, in 1967, gave him the best year of his career.
Moore won both the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby on Royal Palace. They also combined to win that year's 1,000 Guineas on the filly Fleet. He topped off his season with a sensational win on Busted in the King George Vl and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot that July.
Moore won both the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby on Royal Palace. They also combined to win that year's 1,000 Guineas on the filly Fleet. He topped off his season with a sensational win on Busted in the King George Vl and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot that July.
Back in Australia in 1971, Moore announced that his ride on Classic Mission in the Victoria Derby would be his last. Moore bowed out in style by winning it.
Back in Australia in 1971, Moore announced that his ride on Classic Mission in the Victoria Derby would be his last. Moore bowed out in style by winning it.
He then turned to training, initially sending out runners in France before finding his niche in Hong Kong where he became leading trainer no fewer than 11 times.
He then turned to training, initially sending out runners in France before finding his niche in Hong Kong where he became leading trainer no fewer than 11 times.
He retired in 1985 and went to live on the Queensland Gold Coast.
He retired in 1985 and went to live on the Queensland Gold Coast.
He was appointed OBE in 1972.
He was appointed OBE in 1972.
George, worldwide, rode a total of 2.278 winners.
George, worldwide, rode a total of 2.278 winners.
George Moore died on January 8, 2008, aged 84. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
George Moore died on January 8, 2008, aged 84. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
He was survived by his wife, Iris, two sons and a daughter.
He was survived by his wife, Iris, two sons and a daughter.
He won more races in Australia than anyone else.
He won more races in Australia than anyone else.
His son, Gary, also became a leading jockey and won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1981 on Gold River.
His son, Gary, also became a leading jockey and won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1981 on Gold River.
Classic winners:
Classic winners:
Derby: Royal Palace (1967)
Derby: Royal Palace (1967)
Two Thousand Guineas: Taboun (1959), Royal Palace (1967)
Two Thousand Guineas: Taboun (1959), Royal Palace (1967)
One Thousand Guineas: Fleet (1967)
One Thousand Guineas: Fleet (1967)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1959: Eclipse Stakes – Saint Crespin III
1959: Eclipse Stakes – Saint Crespin III
1959: Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 0 Saint Crespin III
1959: Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 0 Saint Crespin III
1959: Gimcrack Stakes – Paddy’s Sister
1959: Gimcrack Stakes – Paddy’s Sister
1959: Champagne Stakes – Paddy’s Sister
1959: Champagne Stakes – Paddy’s Sister
1959: Imperial Stakes – Venture VII
1959: Imperial Stakes – Venture VII
1959: Middle Park Stakes – Venture VII
1959: Middle Park Stakes – Venture VII
1959: Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – Saint Crespin III
1959: Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – Saint Crespin III
1960: St James’s Palace Stakes – Venture VII
1960: St James’s Palace Stakes – Venture VII
1960: Coronation Stakes – Barbaresque
1960: Coronation Stakes – Barbaresque
1960: Ascot Gold Cup – Sheshoon
1960: Ascot Gold Cup – Sheshoon
1960: Sussex Stakes – Venture VII
1960: Sussex Stakes – Venture VII
1960: Ebor Handicap – Persian Road
1960: Ebor Handicap – Persian Road
1960: Cheveley Park Stakes – Opaline II
1960: Cheveley Park Stakes – Opaline II
1967: Cheshire Oaks – Pink Gem
1967: Cheshire Oaks – Pink Gem
1967: Jersey Stakes – St Chad
1967: Jersey Stakes – St Chad
1967: Coronation Stakes – Fleet
1967: Coronation Stakes – Fleet
1967: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Siliconn
1967: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Siliconn
1967: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes – Busted
1967: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes – Busted
1967: July Stakes – Lorenzaccio
1967: July Stakes – Lorenzaccio
1967: Molecomb Stakes – Lowna
1967: Molecomb Stakes – Lowna
1967: Gordon Stakes – Sun Rock
1967: Gordon Stakes – Sun Rock
1967: News of the World Handicap – Sucaryl
1967: News of the World Handicap – Sucaryl