George Rickaby
George Rickaby
George Rickaby
1895-1967
1895-1967
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Apparently unrelated to the famous Rickaby racing family, George Bernard Rickaby rode one winner on the Flat and also managed seven under National Hunt rules. Following his first success The Sportsman newspaper reported that he was the son of a York councillor and had ridden on the continent, where he piloted 13 winners, including two over hurdles.
Apparently unrelated to the famous Rickaby racing family, George Bernard Rickaby rode one winner on the Flat and also managed seven under National Hunt rules. Following his first success The Sportsman newspaper reported that he was the son of a York councillor and had ridden on the continent, where he piloted 13 winners, including two over hurdles.
Born in 1895, he was apprenticed to Bob Armstrong. His first ride in England had been an unplaced effort on Lady Rachel in the Blackhall Handicap at Carlisle on June 28, 1911. In 1912 he finished second three times on the four-year-old Coral Wave. He had to wait until October 17, 1913 for his first English win, when Hackla led all the way to land the Malton Selling Plate at Thirsk by half a length.
Born in 1895, he was apprenticed to Bob Armstrong. His first ride in England had been an unplaced effort on Lady Rachel in the Blackhall Handicap at Carlisle on June 28, 1911. In 1912 he finished second three times on the four-year-old Coral Wave. He had to wait until October 17, 1913 for his first English win, when Hackla led all the way to land the Malton Selling Plate at Thirsk by half a length.
Although George had a few more rides on the Flat, his next win was over jumps. His first ride over obstacles was at Carlisle on October 20, 1921, when Louboy was unplaced in the Autumn Handicap Hurdle. At the same course on April 15, 1922, George’s mount, Rifle Brigade, won the Lonsdale Handicap Chase, beating Fred Croney on Scotch Eagle by half a length. They were reunited there two days later on Easter Monday, but this time Rifle Grenade was a faller in the Easter Handicap Chase.
Although George had a few more rides on the Flat, his next win was over jumps. His first ride over obstacles was at Carlisle on October 20, 1921, when Louboy was unplaced in the Autumn Handicap Hurdle. At the same course on April 15, 1922, George’s mount, Rifle Brigade, won the Lonsdale Handicap Chase, beating Fred Croney on Scotch Eagle by half a length. They were reunited there two days later on Easter Monday, but this time Rifle Grenade was a faller in the Easter Handicap Chase.
George must have believed that the pair had won again when first past the post in the Roxburghe Handicap Chase at Kelso on April 22, but they were disqualified as they were not carrying a penalty for their Carlisle win seven days earlier.
George must have believed that the pair had won again when first past the post in the Roxburghe Handicap Chase at Kelso on April 22, but they were disqualified as they were not carrying a penalty for their Carlisle win seven days earlier.
George had few opportunities over the next three years, but his fortunes then improved somewhat with six wins in 18 months. The last of those was Repaid, who took the Penn Handicap Chase at Wolverhampton on March 14, 1927, winning by a head. He did not keep the ride thereafter and had his final mount at Gatwick on December 14, 1927, when Shasta finished last of the eight runners in the Three-Year-Old Selling Hurdle.
George had few opportunities over the next three years, but his fortunes then improved somewhat with six wins in 18 months. The last of those was Repaid, who took the Penn Handicap Chase at Wolverhampton on March 14, 1927, winning by a head. He did not keep the ride thereafter and had his final mount at Gatwick on December 14, 1927, when Shasta finished last of the eight runners in the Three-Year-Old Selling Hurdle.
George Rickaby died in 1967.
George Rickaby died in 1967.
His winners were, in chronological order:
His winners were, in chronological order:
1. Hackla, Thirsk, October 17, 1913
1. Hackla, Thirsk, October 17, 1913
2. Rifle Grenade, Carlisle, April 15, 1922
2. Rifle Grenade, Carlisle, April 15, 1922
3. Tuscan, Wye, September 30, 1925
3. Tuscan, Wye, September 30, 1925
4. Tuscan, Hawthorn Hill, October 20, 1925
4. Tuscan, Hawthorn Hill, October 20, 1925
5. Dowser, Gatwick, February 3, 1927
5. Dowser, Gatwick, February 3, 1927
6. Dowser, Plumpton, February 21, 1927
6. Dowser, Plumpton, February 21, 1927
7, Dark David, Plumpton, February 22, 1927
7, Dark David, Plumpton, February 22, 1927
8. Repaid, Wolverhampton, March 14, 1927
8. Repaid, Wolverhampton, March 14, 1927
George's first win came at Thirsk
His last win came at Wolverhampton