George Sanderson
George Sanderson
George Sanderson
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
George Sanderson rode mainly on the northern courses at the turn of the 20th century. Although there were no big race successes, he rode 44 winners altogether, achieving a best seasonal score of 16 in 1900.
George Sanderson rode mainly on the northern courses at the turn of the 20th century. Although there were no big race successes, he rode 44 winners altogether, achieving a best seasonal score of 16 in 1900.
Born in 1885, George was apprenticed to his father William, who trained at Malton in Yorkshire. He made his racecourse debut when finishing unplaced on Tyna in the Carlerton Handicap at Pontefract on April 22, 1898.
Born in 1885, George was apprenticed to his father William, who trained at Malton in Yorkshire. He made his racecourse debut when finishing unplaced on Tyna in the Carlerton Handicap at Pontefract on April 22, 1898.
The race meeting at Ripon on May 9, 1898 must have been a very special day for trainer William Sanderson. The opening race on the card, the Hackfall Plate, was won by The Reaper, owned and trained by him and ridden by his eldest son William Junior, who by then already had eight winners under his belt. Then later that same afternoon, the Studley Royal Handicap was won by Tyna, which he also owned and trained, ridden by his younger son George. The winning margin was only a short-head and the Sporting Life enthused about Tyna being “most artistically ridden” by a “most promising” jockey who had just turned thirteen.
The race meeting at Ripon on May 9, 1898 must have been a very special day for trainer William Sanderson. The opening race on the card, the Hackfall Plate, was won by The Reaper, owned and trained by him and ridden by his eldest son William Junior, who by then already had eight winners under his belt. Then later that same afternoon, the Studley Royal Handicap was won by Tyna, which he also owned and trained, ridden by his younger son George. The winning margin was only a short-head and the Sporting Life enthused about Tyna being “most artistically ridden” by a “most promising” jockey who had just turned thirteen.
Despite this excellent start, George rode only one more winner that season, when Auroscope triumphed in the Trial Handicap at Manchester on June 1.
Despite this excellent start, George rode only one more winner that season, when Auroscope triumphed in the Trial Handicap at Manchester on June 1.
But 1899 was a far better year with nine victories, which included a rare excursion south. He won the last race at Epsom’s Derby meeting on June 2, when partnering an unnamed three-year-old filly by Raeburn out of St Frida (later named Peace) to take the Glasgow Plate by three-quarters of a length, beating Weybridge, the mount of Tod Sloan.
But 1899 was a far better year with nine victories, which included a rare excursion south. He won the last race at Epsom’s Derby meeting on June 2, when partnering an unnamed three-year-old filly by Raeburn out of St Frida (later named Peace) to take the Glasgow Plate by three-quarters of a length, beating Weybridge, the mount of Tod Sloan.
This was followed by 16 winners in 1900, including the only two doubles of his career, achieved on consecutive days at Thirsk’s two-day meeting on October 18 and 19.
This was followed by 16 winners in 1900, including the only two doubles of his career, achieved on consecutive days at Thirsk’s two-day meeting on October 18 and 19.
Although he never again achieved double figures after that season, he managed a few winners each year until 1904 when he had only one.
Although he never again achieved double figures after that season, he managed a few winners each year until 1904 when he had only one.
He did not ride in Britain in 1905, and his last win came at Pontefract on April 26, 1906 when Rushpool, owned and trained by his father, landed the Alexandra Welter Handicap.
He did not ride in Britain in 1905, and his last win came at Pontefract on April 26, 1906 when Rushpool, owned and trained by his father, landed the Alexandra Welter Handicap.
George’s last ride was again on Rushpool, who finished third in the Stewards’ Plate at Ayr on September 18, 1907. This was one of the increasingly rare occasions when amateurs rode on the Flat against professionals. The former brigade came out well on top with victory going to Jock Fergusson on Heureux, followed home by George Gunter on Narrateur.
George’s last ride was again on Rushpool, who finished third in the Stewards’ Plate at Ayr on September 18, 1907. This was one of the increasingly rare occasions when amateurs rode on the Flat against professionals. The former brigade came out well on top with victory going to Jock Fergusson on Heureux, followed home by George Gunter on Narrateur.
The success of the Sanderson brothers at Ripon, with George having his first win.
George beats Tod Sloan in the Glasgow Stakes at Epsom in June 1899.
George beats Tod Sloan in the Glasgow Stakes at Epsom in June 1899.
George's final winner, Rushpool, came at Pontefract on April 26 1906.
George's final winner, Rushpool, came at Pontefract on April 26 1906.