1833 -1916
1833 -1916
George Stafford Thompson was born in 1833 and, riding his father's Maid of Skelgate, won his first race in public aged just seven!
George Stafford Thompson was born in 1833 and, riding his father's Maid of Skelgate, won his first race in public aged just seven!
He was educated at Dr Sharpe's Acadamy in Doncaster before going on to Eton.
He was educated at Dr Sharpe's Acadamy in Doncaster before going on to Eton.
Riding solely on the Flat, George began his riding career in earnest in 1851. He was able to weigh out at less than seven stone and was so well regarded that he was once asked to ride the mare Fairyland which was set to carry 13 st. 10 lbs.
Riding solely on the Flat, George began his riding career in earnest in 1851. He was able to weigh out at less than seven stone and was so well regarded that he was once asked to ride the mare Fairyland which was set to carry 13 st. 10 lbs.
This necessitated in George carrying 6 st. 6 lbs deadweight. Confidence was not mis-placed, Fairyland winning cleverly.
This necessitated in George carrying 6 st. 6 lbs deadweight. Confidence was not mis-placed, Fairyland winning cleverly.
George was unplaced on Carbonado in the 1860 St Leger but won a famous victory at Stockton in 1881 when, riding Hardrada for Lord Zetland, he defeated the Fred Archer ridden-Oxlip by a head.
George was unplaced on Carbonado in the 1860 St Leger but won a famous victory at Stockton in 1881 when, riding Hardrada for Lord Zetland, he defeated the Fred Archer ridden-Oxlip by a head.
He retired from the saddle in 1883.
He retired from the saddle in 1883.
He died in New Buildings, Kirby Knowle, Thirsk, on November 30, 1916, age 83.
He died in New Buildings, Kirby Knowle, Thirsk, on November 30, 1916, age 83.
He left £70, 064
He left £70, 064