George Thursby
1869 - 1941
1869 - 1941
George James Thursby, born in Marylebone on November 17, 1869, was the second son John Thursby, a prominent member of the Four-in-Hand and Coaching Club (a four-in-hand being a carriage drawn by four horses), so it was natural for young George to be involved with horses.
George James Thursby, born in Marylebone on November 17, 1869, was the second son John Thursby, a prominent member of the Four-in-Hand and Coaching Club (a four-in-hand being a carriage drawn by four horses), so it was natural for young George to be involved with horses.
Learning to ride almost before he could walk, he showed uncommon skills in the saddle and, for seven years, he hunted the western division of the New Forest before becoming master of the Ledbury hunt. Yet the hunting field did not content him – his ambitions lay on the racecourse and, on the day Hurst Park first held racing, he rode his father’s horse, Sylph, in the Maiden Hunters’ Hurdle race. He then dedicated himself to racing on the flat and became apprenticed to his father’s trainer, J.R.Humphreys, at Stork House, Lambourn.
Learning to ride almost before he could walk, he showed uncommon skills in the saddle and, for seven years, he hunted the western division of the New Forest before becoming master of the Ledbury hunt. Yet the hunting field did not content him – his ambitions lay on the racecourse and, on the day Hurst Park first held racing, he rode his father’s horse, Sylph, in the Maiden Hunters’ Hurdle race. He then dedicated himself to racing on the flat and became apprenticed to his father’s trainer, J.R.Humphreys, at Stork House, Lambourn.
His first winning ride came on Fog Horn in the Bibury Stakes at Stockbridge in 1892 – in a desperate finish, he won by a short head. Eventually George Thursby moved his stables to Cranborne, Dorset, but finding that training and riding were too onerous a task, he took on an American trainer called Duke. It was a good move. George won the Great Metroplolitan and Northamptonshire Stakes on Paddy, plus a host of other winners including The Tartar, King’s Quest,Foxstones, Man of Ross and Skeleton. George rode some of his best races on Victor Don including two dead-heats. The first dead-heat the stakes were divided, but in the run off for the second dead-heat, George defeated none less than champion jockey Lester Reiff, on Hearwood, by a short head. He rode the Derby runner-up on two occasions, the 3,000 guineas purchase John o Gaunt in 1904 and Picton the following year.
His first winning ride came on Fog Horn in the Bibury Stakes at Stockbridge in 1892 – in a desperate finish, he won by a short head. Eventually George Thursby moved his stables to Cranborne, Dorset, but finding that training and riding were too onerous a task, he took on an American trainer called Duke. It was a good move. George won the Great Metroplolitan and Northamptonshire Stakes on Paddy, plus a host of other winners including The Tartar, King’s Quest,Foxstones, Man of Ross and Skeleton. George rode some of his best races on Victor Don including two dead-heats. The first dead-heat the stakes were divided, but in the run off for the second dead-heat, George defeated none less than champion jockey Lester Reiff, on Hearwood, by a short head. He rode the Derby runner-up on two occasions, the 3,000 guineas purchase John o Gaunt in 1904 and Picton the following year.
He was very much against the newly introduced starting gate, advocating that a walking start would give a fairer race.
He was very much against the newly introduced starting gate, advocating that a walking start would give a fairer race.
The jockey, Charles Trigg – answering an advert for an apprentice – called at the Park Lane house owned by Sir John Thursby. George answered and, after a few questions, took the lad on. It was a good move – after winning on Aggressor Sir John was so pleased with Trigg that, as a present, he offered the young jockey the choice of a ten-pound note or a racehorse. Trigg took the racehorse.
The jockey, Charles Trigg – answering an advert for an apprentice – called at the Park Lane house owned by Sir John Thursby. George answered and, after a few questions, took the lad on. It was a good move – after winning on Aggressor Sir John was so pleased with Trigg that, as a present, he offered the young jockey the choice of a ten-pound note or a racehorse. Trigg took the racehorse.
In 1920, George Thursby succeeded his half-brother as 3rd (and last) baronet.
In 1920, George Thursby succeeded his half-brother as 3rd (and last) baronet.
In 1894 he married Mary Augusta Hardcastle. He left no heir to the title.
In 1894 he married Mary Augusta Hardcastle. He left no heir to the title.
George Thursby died at Southampton on June 8, 1941. He was 71 and left £74,734
George Thursby died at Southampton on June 8, 1941. He was 71 and left £74,734