George Tinsley
‘George Tinsley, who has ridden and won several races, having terminated his apprenticeship with Mr Matthew Dawson ( to whom he begs to refer) is anxious for an engagement at home or abroad. Lowest riding weight 7 stone. Address Norton Grange, Malton, Yorkshire.’
‘George Tinsley, who has ridden and won several races, having terminated his apprenticeship with Mr Matthew Dawson ( to whom he begs to refer) is anxious for an engagement at home or abroad. Lowest riding weight 7 stone. Address Norton Grange, Malton, Yorkshire.’
In the days when jockeys used to advertise for work in the racing press, the above advert appeared in Bell’s Life on Saturday, December 10, 1881.
In the days when jockeys used to advertise for work in the racing press, the above advert appeared in Bell’s Life on Saturday, December 10, 1881.
George had first ridden in a race in 1877 at York where he partnered a mare trained by Mr J. H. Peart. In October of that year, he joined Matthew Dawson as an apprentice. His first ride for the stable was on Oak Apple at the York August Meeting in 1878. His first winning mount was Mr Bowe’s Jollification at Newton on June 20, 1879. Other stable patrons he rode for were General Wood, Lord Falmouth, Lord Hastings and Mr Cholmley. He left Matthew Dawson in 1882 to ride for Marquis Talon at Sedgefield.
George had first ridden in a race in 1877 at York where he partnered a mare trained by Mr J. H. Peart. In October of that year, he joined Matthew Dawson as an apprentice. His first ride for the stable was on Oak Apple at the York August Meeting in 1878. His first winning mount was Mr Bowe’s Jollification at Newton on June 20, 1879. Other stable patrons he rode for were General Wood, Lord Falmouth, Lord Hastings and Mr Cholmley. He left Matthew Dawson in 1882 to ride for Marquis Talon at Sedgefield.
George Tinsley was still in England a year later, being granted a jockey’s licence in March 1883.
George Tinsley was still in England a year later, being granted a jockey’s licence in March 1883.
It was somewhat surprising that he wanted to leave Matthew Dawson’s stables at Heath House, Newmarket. Dawson held a high opinion of the youngster and his ability as a jockey. George was frequently asked to ride in the colours of the noble and aristocratic patrons of the Heath House establishment and was often seen in the popular black and gold jacket of the very successful Mr Bowes.
It was somewhat surprising that he wanted to leave Matthew Dawson’s stables at Heath House, Newmarket. Dawson held a high opinion of the youngster and his ability as a jockey. George was frequently asked to ride in the colours of the noble and aristocratic patrons of the Heath House establishment and was often seen in the popular black and gold jacket of the very successful Mr Bowes.
Early in 1884, he was offered the chance to work as first jockey to Herr Ochlachlaeger, one of the leading patrons of the turf in Germany. He accepted and left Malton on Tuesday, April 1 of that year. Many doubted the wisdom of such a move but George, the son of the respected Norton Grange townsman Mr Seth Tinsley, was not to be dissuaded. Arriving, he discovered Herr Ochlachlaeger’s magnificent training establishment at Hoppegarten, near Berlin, the Newmarket of Germany, where most of the studs of racehorses were trained.
Early in 1884, he was offered the chance to work as first jockey to Herr Ochlachlaeger, one of the leading patrons of the turf in Germany. He accepted and left Malton on Tuesday, April 1 of that year. Many doubted the wisdom of such a move but George, the son of the respected Norton Grange townsman Mr Seth Tinsley, was not to be dissuaded. Arriving, he discovered Herr Ochlachlaeger’s magnificent training establishment at Hoppegarten, near Berlin, the Newmarket of Germany, where most of the studs of racehorses were trained.
In his first season there, George enjoyed unparalleled success. From sixty-nine mounts, he won twenty-four races including nearly all the great races of Germany. This placed him at the top of the list of winning jockeys in Germany.
In his first season there, George enjoyed unparalleled success. From sixty-nine mounts, he won twenty-four races including nearly all the great races of Germany. This placed him at the top of the list of winning jockeys in Germany.
He rode his first winner, Emir, on 21st April. He was to ride the three-year-old colt to eight further victories that season. He also won the Hamburg Handicap on Sylph, an Irish-bred horse. In another race in which he rode her, Sylph fell. George broke four ribs as a result and spent a few days in Hamburg Hospital, but was back in the saddle a few weeks later to win three out of four races at one meeting.
He rode his first winner, Emir, on 21st April. He was to ride the three-year-old colt to eight further victories that season. He also won the Hamburg Handicap on Sylph, an Irish-bred horse. In another race in which he rode her, Sylph fell. George broke four ribs as a result and spent a few days in Hamburg Hospital, but was back in the saddle a few weeks later to win three out of four races at one meeting.
George’s above-normal winning average and his uniform good contact whilst in Germany won not only the confidence and approval of his employer but also many a substantial monetary gift from grateful owners.
George’s above-normal winning average and his uniform good contact whilst in Germany won not only the confidence and approval of his employer but also many a substantial monetary gift from grateful owners.
He returned home in December 1885 to spend Christmas with his family. George was able to comfort his brother Henry who’d had the misfortune to sustain a broken collarbone and severe internal injuries whilst playing in a local football match.
He returned home in December 1885 to spend Christmas with his family. George was able to comfort his brother Henry who’d had the misfortune to sustain a broken collarbone and severe internal injuries whilst playing in a local football match.
After three golden years in Germany and despite continued success, George decided it was time to move on, and on Wednesday, March 14 1888, packed his bags and saddle to leave for Austria where he had accepted a one-year engagement to ride.
After three golden years in Germany and despite continued success, George decided it was time to move on, and on Wednesday, March 14 1888, packed his bags and saddle to leave for Austria where he had accepted a one-year engagement to ride.
He had recently married. The couple had one child, born in Austria, and George was bereft when his daughter died suddenly.
He had recently married. The couple had one child, born in Austria, and George was bereft when his daughter died suddenly.
He only outlived her for a short while.
He only outlived her for a short while.
On Tuesday morning, June 3, 1890, George Tinsley suffered a fatal fit of apoplexy (a stroke). He was interred by his daughter’s side at Hoppegarten Mark, near Vienna. He was just 27.
On Tuesday morning, June 3, 1890, George Tinsley suffered a fatal fit of apoplexy (a stroke). He was interred by his daughter’s side at Hoppegarten Mark, near Vienna. He was just 27.