George Speck
George Speck
George Speck
1870-1954
1870-1954
George Speck rode over 100 winners, Flat, hurdles and steeplechasing, during his career. Most of them were gained in Holland, where he rode a great deal, but he also registered 39 under National Hunt rules in Britain.
George Speck rode over 100 winners, Flat, hurdles and steeplechasing, during his career. Most of them were gained in Holland, where he rode a great deal, but he also registered 39 under National Hunt rules in Britain.
George Thomas Speck was born in Clapham on 5 February, 1870. Aged 12, he ran away from his Brighton school to become a stable lad for local trainer Jim Prince and later for a Mr Downes at Black Horse Stables, Lewes.
George Thomas Speck was born in Clapham on 5 February, 1870. Aged 12, he ran away from his Brighton school to become a stable lad for local trainer Jim Prince and later for a Mr Downes at Black Horse Stables, Lewes.
He had his first ride under NH rules at Plumpton on November 21, 1896, finishing second, beaten 1½ lengths, on Bread Sauce in the Steyning Selling Hurdle. He had to wait just over a year before visiting the winner’s enclosure for the first time, when guiding 10-1 chance Virginian Rose to a length-and-a-half victory in the Merstham Maiden Hurdle at Gatwick on December 8, 1897.
He had his first ride under NH rules at Plumpton on November 21, 1896, finishing second, beaten 1½ lengths, on Bread Sauce in the Steyning Selling Hurdle. He had to wait just over a year before visiting the winner’s enclosure for the first time, when guiding 10-1 chance Virginian Rose to a length-and-a-half victory in the Merstham Maiden Hurdle at Gatwick on December 8, 1897.
He enjoyed two relatively successful years in 1898 and 1899 with six winners in each, then achieved a career-best of eleven in 1900. Trainers he rode for included Ian Cannon and Chris Waller at Stockbridge, Hants, for whom he rode as second jockey.
He enjoyed two relatively successful years in 1898 and 1899 with six winners in each, then achieved a career-best of eleven in 1900. Trainers he rode for included Ian Cannon and Chris Waller at Stockbridge, Hants, for whom he rode as second jockey.
George enjoyed a fruitful time in May 1907, recording doubles on consecutive days at Buckfastleigh and South Brent. At Buckfastleigh on Whit Monday, May 20, he won the South Devon Handicap Hurdle on Ardour and the Licensed Victuallers’ Selling Chase on Prince Tuscan. Prince Tuscan was running for the second time that afternoon, having earlier finished second, beaten a length, with George on board in the Buckfastleigh Open Handicap Chase.
George enjoyed a fruitful time in May 1907, recording doubles on consecutive days at Buckfastleigh and South Brent. At Buckfastleigh on Whit Monday, May 20, he won the South Devon Handicap Hurdle on Ardour and the Licensed Victuallers’ Selling Chase on Prince Tuscan. Prince Tuscan was running for the second time that afternoon, having earlier finished second, beaten a length, with George on board in the Buckfastleigh Open Handicap Chase.
At the following day’s annual South Brent NH meeting, George won two more races on the ultra-game Prince Tuscan, landing the Stewards’ Selling Chase before being gifted a walkover in the South Brent Open Handicap Chase.
At the following day’s annual South Brent NH meeting, George won two more races on the ultra-game Prince Tuscan, landing the Stewards’ Selling Chase before being gifted a walkover in the South Brent Open Handicap Chase.
George rode his last winner on Ardour, the 2-1 favourite, in the Thursday Selling Handicap Hurdle at Windsor on January 13, 1910. He appeared for the final time in Britain when finishing unplaced on Fly Car in the Sandown Maiden Hurdle at Sandown Park on February 26, 1915.
George rode his last winner on Ardour, the 2-1 favourite, in the Thursday Selling Handicap Hurdle at Windsor on January 13, 1910. He appeared for the final time in Britain when finishing unplaced on Fly Car in the Sandown Maiden Hurdle at Sandown Park on February 26, 1915.
Although he held a professional Flat jockey’s licence in various years between 1897 and 1914, he rode no winners on the Flat in Britain, though he enjoyed plenty of success in that sphere when riding abroad.
Although he held a professional Flat jockey’s licence in various years between 1897 and 1914, he rode no winners on the Flat in Britain, though he enjoyed plenty of success in that sphere when riding abroad.
He spent his retirement with his wife, Margaret, at 77, Western Road, Lewes, until her death in 1952. He then went to live with one of his daughters at 21, Toronto Terrace, Lewes.
He spent his retirement with his wife, Margaret, at 77, Western Road, Lewes, until her death in 1952. He then went to live with one of his daughters at 21, Toronto Terrace, Lewes.
Having been in failing health for about a year and recently undergone an operation, George Speck died in a Brighton hospital on July 30, 1954, In his 85th year.
Having been in failing health for about a year and recently undergone an operation, George Speck died in a Brighton hospital on July 30, 1954, In his 85th year.
He was the father of top National Hunt jockey Billy Speck, who was tragically killed in a fall in a selling chase at Cheltenham in 1935. George was survived by a son and three daughters.
He was the father of top National Hunt jockey Billy Speck, who was tragically killed in a fall in a selling chase at Cheltenham in 1935. George was survived by a son and three daughters.
George rode a double at Buckfastleigh in 1907.
George rode a double at Buckfastleigh in 1907.