George Stevens
1833 - 1871
1833 - 1871
Born in Cheltenham on June 12, 1833, George Stevens was a boy of delicate health and one obsessed with horses.
Born in Cheltenham on June 12, 1833, George Stevens was a boy of delicate health and one obsessed with horses.
He ran away from home and finished up finding work at a nearby stable from where top jockey Tom Olliver operated. Tom took George under his wing; no lad could have had a better tutor. Mr W Holman, the trainer of Freetrader, also gave invaluable advice.
He ran away from home and finished up finding work at a nearby stable from where top jockey Tom Olliver operated. Tom took George under his wing; no lad could have had a better tutor. Mr W Holman, the trainer of Freetrader, also gave invaluable advice.
This tuition paid off handsomely when George won the 1856 Grand National on 25/1 shot Freetrader.
This tuition paid off handsomely when George won the 1856 Grand National on 25/1 shot Freetrader.
George and Freetrader tried to make it a double the next year, but failed to finish behind Emigrant.
George and Freetrader tried to make it a double the next year, but failed to finish behind Emigrant.
George's first recorded mount was Beauty at Cheltenham. He was beaten a head, but in the next week he won his first race on Gypsy Bess at Leominster.
George's first recorded mount was Beauty at Cheltenham. He was beaten a head, but in the next week he won his first race on Gypsy Bess at Leominster.
In 1858, George rode Lough Bawn in the National, who refused.
In 1858, George rode Lough Bawn in the National, who refused.
In 1842 and 1843, his mentor Tom Olliver had won the National in consecutive years on Gay Lad and Vanguard. In 1863 and 1864, George emulated his idol when winning on Emblem and Emblematic.
In 1842 and 1843, his mentor Tom Olliver had won the National in consecutive years on Gay Lad and Vanguard. In 1863 and 1864, George emulated his idol when winning on Emblem and Emblematic.
But he was not yet done - in 1869 and 1870, he repeated his double trick when winning both races on The Colonel.
But he was not yet done - in 1869 and 1870, he repeated his double trick when winning both races on The Colonel.
George Stevens had ridden the winner of five Grand Nationals, a record which stands to this day.
George Stevens had ridden the winner of five Grand Nationals, a record which stands to this day.
He had his last ride in the National the next year, 1871, finishing sixth on his old friend, The Colonel.
He had his last ride in the National the next year, 1871, finishing sixth on his old friend, The Colonel.
A little over two months after this, on Thursday, June 1, 1871, George was riding his cob named The Clown, on Cleve Hill near Cheltenham where he lived. He had ridden into town and had nearly reached the top of the hill on his return journey when something caused the horse to turn round suddenly and bolt downhill towards the town.
A little over two months after this, on Thursday, June 1, 1871, George was riding his cob named The Clown, on Cleve Hill near Cheltenham where he lived. He had ridden into town and had nearly reached the top of the hill on his return journey when something caused the horse to turn round suddenly and bolt downhill towards the town.
Dashing round a sharp bend, the animal struck its forelegs against the footway and fell, pitching its rider with terrible force against a stone wall.
Dashing round a sharp bend, the animal struck its forelegs against the footway and fell, pitching its rider with terrible force against a stone wall.
George was picked up, insensible, and carried home, but not for one moment did anyone entertain any hope of his recovery. Aged 37, he died the next evening.
George was picked up, insensible, and carried home, but not for one moment did anyone entertain any hope of his recovery. Aged 37, he died the next evening.
The Clown had shown signs of bad temper in the past and had been the cause of several previous, though not serious, accidents.
The Clown had shown signs of bad temper in the past and had been the cause of several previous, though not serious, accidents.
George had his heart set on riding Jealousy in the 1861 National and turned down 13 other offers in order to do so, but one of the jockey's retainers claimed George to ride for him. George had no option but to agree to ride. Ironically, at the last moment, the horse was withdrawn, leaving George without a ride in the race. Jealousy, much to George's chagrin, went on to win.
George had his heart set on riding Jealousy in the 1861 National and turned down 13 other offers in order to do so, but one of the jockey's retainers claimed George to ride for him. George had no option but to agree to ride. Ironically, at the last moment, the horse was withdrawn, leaving George without a ride in the race. Jealousy, much to George's chagrin, went on to win.
At Windsor, April 10, 1861, George took a bad fall from The Freshman in the Windsor Open Handicap Steeplechase. The horse following, Grey Peter, tripped over The Freshman, landing on top of George who, miraculously, escaped with just severe bruising.
At Windsor, April 10, 1861, George took a bad fall from The Freshman in the Windsor Open Handicap Steeplechase. The horse following, Grey Peter, tripped over The Freshman, landing on top of George who, miraculously, escaped with just severe bruising.
Biggest wins:
Biggest wins:
1855: Birmingam Grand Annual - Star of England
1855: Birmingam Grand Annual - Star of England
1856: Grand National - Freetrader
1856: Grand National - Freetrader
1858: Birmingham Grand Annual - Comet
1858: Birmingham Grand Annual - Comet
1859: Liver Autumn Chase - Maria Agnes
1859: Liver Autumn Chase - Maria Agnes
1860: Worcester Grand Annual - Jerusalem
1860: Worcester Grand Annual - Jerusalem
1861: Grand Metropolitan - Heads or Tails
1861: Grand Metropolitan - Heads or Tails
1863: Birmingham Grand Annual - Emblem
1863: Birmingham Grand Annual - Emblem
1863: Cheltenham Steeplechase - Emblem
1863: Cheltenham Steeplechase - Emblem
1863: Grand National - Emblem
1863: Grand National - Emblem
1863 - Grand Natonal - Emblematic
1863 - Grand Natonal - Emblematic
1865: Cheltenham Steeplechase - Emblem
1865: Cheltenham Steeplechase - Emblem
1869 - Grand National - The Colonel
1869 - Grand National - The Colonel
1870: Cheltenham Steeplechase - Daisy
1870: Cheltenham Steeplechase - Daisy
1870 - Grand National - The Colonel
1870 - Grand National - The Colonel