George Turner
Apprentice George Turner was born in Newcastle on December 8, 1944. He was apprenticed to Ken Cundell at Compton, in Berkshire, and rode his first winner on Dipback, making practically all the running to win the seven furlongs Young Entry Apprentice Handicap at Ascot on Friday, October 6, 1961.
Apprentice George Turner was born in Newcastle on December 8, 1944. He was apprenticed to Ken Cundell at Compton, in Berkshire, and rode his first winner on Dipback, making practically all the running to win the seven furlongs Young Entry Apprentice Handicap at Ascot on Friday, October 6, 1961.
Progress was slow initially, for he failed to ride a winner the following year, had only two in 1963 and then nine in 1964. He finally made double figures for the season in 1965, reaching a total of 11, three of which were gained on the best horse he rode during his career, Cundell’s precocious two-year-old filly From Russia With Love.
Progress was slow initially, for he failed to ride a winner the following year, had only two in 1963 and then nine in 1964. He finally made double figures for the season in 1965, reaching a total of 11, three of which were gained on the best horse he rode during his career, Cundell’s precocious two-year-old filly From Russia With Love.
George rode her on her debut at Sandown on April 23, 1965, when she led at halfway and ran on strongly to beat Doug Smith’s mount Kerkithalis by four lengths. She reappeared at Ascot in the Anne Boleyn Stakes on April 30, making all to stroll home unchallenged by six lengths.
George rode her on her debut at Sandown on April 23, 1965, when she led at halfway and ran on strongly to beat Doug Smith’s mount Kerkithalis by four lengths. She reappeared at Ascot in the Anne Boleyn Stakes on April 30, making all to stroll home unchallenged by six lengths.
Next stop was the valuable Billy Butlin Stakes on a sponsored card at Kempton on May 27, when she went clear three furlongs out and held on well to repel the late thrust of Greville Starkey on Bull Dancer. The next logical step was the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, for which she was third in the betting at 11/2, but after disputing the lead to halfway, she faded to finish eighth of the ten runners behind the 6/4 favourite, Jack Watts’ Woodcote Stakes winner Visp. She was similarly well beaten in York’s Lowther Stakes before finishing second on her final juvenile start in a decent Sandown nursery in September.
Next stop was the valuable Billy Butlin Stakes on a sponsored card at Kempton on May 27, when she went clear three furlongs out and held on well to repel the late thrust of Greville Starkey on Bull Dancer. The next logical step was the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, for which she was third in the betting at 11/2, but after disputing the lead to halfway, she faded to finish eighth of the ten runners behind the 6/4 favourite, Jack Watts’ Woodcote Stakes winner Visp. She was similarly well beaten in York’s Lowther Stakes before finishing second on her final juvenile start in a decent Sandown nursery in September.
George continued to ride From Russia With Love in all her eight races during 1966. She was demonstrably below classic standard, finishing well beaten in Kempton’s 1,000 Guineas Trial, and her sights were lowered thereafter.
George continued to ride From Russia With Love in all her eight races during 1966. She was demonstrably below classic standard, finishing well beaten in Kempton’s 1,000 Guineas Trial, and her sights were lowered thereafter.
She won Sandown’s Alington Stakes in June and Newbury’s Shrivenham Handicap in August and finished second in another decent Newbury handicap, but she couldn’t cope with the top sprinters, finishing eighth of nine behind Polyfoto in Goodwood’s King George Stakes.
She won Sandown’s Alington Stakes in June and Newbury’s Shrivenham Handicap in August and finished second in another decent Newbury handicap, but she couldn’t cope with the top sprinters, finishing eighth of nine behind Polyfoto in Goodwood’s King George Stakes.
Numerically, however, 1966 was George’s best season, for he rode 24 winners, kicking off with victory on another juvenile filly, Dave Hanley’s Lucky Maid at Sandown in April. He rode doubles at both Salisbury and Chepstow in May and at Chester in July, won twice within a week on Ken Cundell’s two-year-old colt Bayarin at Bath and Salisbury in August, and in between those two wins landed the Wills Virginia Cup Handicap at Chepstow on August 6 on Frank Cundell’s Alphonse.
Numerically, however, 1966 was George’s best season, for he rode 24 winners, kicking off with victory on another juvenile filly, Dave Hanley’s Lucky Maid at Sandown in April. He rode doubles at both Salisbury and Chepstow in May and at Chester in July, won twice within a week on Ken Cundell’s two-year-old colt Bayarin at Bath and Salisbury in August, and in between those two wins landed the Wills Virginia Cup Handicap at Chepstow on August 6 on Frank Cundell’s Alphonse.
Yet surprisingly, the very next month would bring his final success on the Flat, achieved on Ken Cundell’s three-year-old maiden Pilino at Newbury on Friday, September 9, 1966.
Yet surprisingly, the very next month would bring his final success on the Flat, achieved on Ken Cundell’s three-year-old maiden Pilino at Newbury on Friday, September 9, 1966.
As for From Russia With Love, she was well beaten in two early season races in 1967, ridden on both occasions by Frank Durr, and was then retired.
As for From Russia With Love, she was well beaten in two early season races in 1967, ridden on both occasions by Frank Durr, and was then retired.
George had around a dozen rides over hurdles in the 1967/68 season and managed one win, thanks to the stewards. His first ride, Super National, was pulled up in the Dab Chick Novices’ Hurdle at Newcastle on September 23, a race won by Mac Turner (no relation) on Gauntlet.
George had around a dozen rides over hurdles in the 1967/68 season and managed one win, thanks to the stewards. His first ride, Super National, was pulled up in the Dab Chick Novices’ Hurdle at Newcastle on September 23, a race won by Mac Turner (no relation) on Gauntlet.
At the same course on October 18 there was a hard fought battle from the second last flight between George on Double Port and the much more experienced Paddy Broderick on Kalology. The latter had led all the way and won by a neck. However, George objected to the winner for “bumping and taking my ground,” and was awarded the race.
At the same course on October 18 there was a hard fought battle from the second last flight between George on Double Port and the much more experienced Paddy Broderick on Kalology. The latter had led all the way and won by a neck. However, George objected to the winner for “bumping and taking my ground,” and was awarded the race.
There were no more victories and George had his final ride when Honeymug finished 12th of 14 in the Tadcaster Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby on November 11, 1967.
There were no more victories and George had his final ride when Honeymug finished 12th of 14 in the Tadcaster Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby on November 11, 1967.
