George Turner
c1904 -1979
c1904 -1979
National Hunt jockey George Donald Turner rode 53 winners over jumps including the National Hunt Handicap Chase and two editions of the Cotswold Chase (now the Arkle Challenge Trophy) at Cheltenham’s National Hunt Meeting.
National Hunt jockey George Donald Turner rode 53 winners over jumps including the National Hunt Handicap Chase and two editions of the Cotswold Chase (now the Arkle Challenge Trophy) at Cheltenham’s National Hunt Meeting.
He made his debut when finishing unplaced on Cara Dura in the Anglesey Hunters’ Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter on April 3, 1922. He rode his first winner on St Endas in the three-mile Putney Handicap Chase at Hurst Park on February 17, 1923.
He made his debut when finishing unplaced on Cara Dura in the Anglesey Hunters’ Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter on April 3, 1922. He rode his first winner on St Endas in the three-mile Putney Handicap Chase at Hurst Park on February 17, 1923.
The best horse he rode in the early part of his career was the Percy Whitaker-trained Master Billie, on whom he finished third in both the Welsh Grand National and Liverpool’s Stanley Chase in 1925, and fourth (having remounted) in that year’s Becher Chase.
The best horse he rode in the early part of his career was the Percy Whitaker-trained Master Billie, on whom he finished third in both the Welsh Grand National and Liverpool’s Stanley Chase in 1925, and fourth (having remounted) in that year’s Becher Chase.
George enjoyed his most successful season in 1928/29 with a dozen wins, the highlight being his victory on Donzalon, trained by Gerald Foljambe, in the National Hunt Handicap Chase at Cheltenham’s 1929 National Hunt Meeting. He also finished third in the 1929 Champion Chase over the Grand National fences on the grey Glangesia.
George enjoyed his most successful season in 1928/29 with a dozen wins, the highlight being his victory on Donzalon, trained by Gerald Foljambe, in the National Hunt Handicap Chase at Cheltenham’s 1929 National Hunt Meeting. He also finished third in the 1929 Champion Chase over the Grand National fences on the grey Glangesia.
He had four rides in the Grand National itself. In 1925 he partnered 40-1 shot Peter The Piper and was prominent to halfway, only to refuse on the second circuit. He fell on 50-1 chance Duke Of Florence in 1929 and also on 28-1 shot Coup de Chapeau in 1932. He did, however, manage to complete the course on his final attempt in 1936, trailing in last of the ten finishers on 100-1 outsider Comedian, having fallen three out and remounted.
He had four rides in the Grand National itself. In 1925 he partnered 40-1 shot Peter The Piper and was prominent to halfway, only to refuse on the second circuit. He fell on 50-1 chance Duke Of Florence in 1929 and also on 28-1 shot Coup de Chapeau in 1932. He did, however, manage to complete the course on his final attempt in 1936, trailing in last of the ten finishers on 100-1 outsider Comedian, having fallen three out and remounted.
In 1936 he gained his second major success at Cheltenham’s National Hunt Meeting, winning the Cotswold Chase on Barnham Junior. He won that race again in 1942 on Gingko.
In 1936 he gained his second major success at Cheltenham’s National Hunt Meeting, winning the Cotswold Chase on Barnham Junior. He won that race again in 1942 on Gingko.
George continued to ride after the war but managed just four wins in his last nine seasons with a licence, winning one race in each of the 1945/46, 47/48, 48/49 and 50/51 campaigns. His last win was aboard 3-1 on favourite Mount Melleray in a match for the Four-Years-Old Hurdle at Chepstow on March 27, 1951, beating Star Of Lincomb, the mount of Bernard Wells, by a length and a half.
George continued to ride after the war but managed just four wins in his last nine seasons with a licence, winning one race in each of the 1945/46, 47/48, 48/49 and 50/51 campaigns. His last win was aboard 3-1 on favourite Mount Melleray in a match for the Four-Years-Old Hurdle at Chepstow on March 27, 1951, beating Star Of Lincomb, the mount of Bernard Wells, by a length and a half.
He rode for the final time when finishing fourth on Sussex Martlet in the Downton Selling Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton on Boxing Day, December 26, 1953.
He rode for the final time when finishing fourth on Sussex Martlet in the Downton Selling Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton on Boxing Day, December 26, 1953.
George Turner died in 1979.
George Turner died in 1979.
George wins the 1929 National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham
1934: George's second winner at Cheltenham.
1942: George rides his second Cotswold winner, Gingko.