George White
1940 - 1984
1940 - 1984
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Jump jockey George White rode for 13 seasons but recorded a total of just seven winners.
Jump jockey George White rode for 13 seasons but recorded a total of just seven winners.
Born in 1940, he served his apprenticeship with Frank Mason, who stables were at Little Budworth, and worked for several trainers, including George Todd, before joining Ted Gifford, who trained at Skipton-on-Craven in Yorkshire. He rode his first two winners for Gifford, the first on Rock King at Wolverhampton on 22 November 1960, the second 15 months later at Wetherby on Harry Goldmine.
Born in 1940, he served his apprenticeship with Frank Mason, who stables were at Little Budworth, and worked for several trainers, including George Todd, before joining Ted Gifford, who trained at Skipton-on-Craven in Yorkshire. He rode his first two winners for Gifford, the first on Rock King at Wolverhampton on 22 November 1960, the second 15 months later at Wetherby on Harry Goldmine.
White left Gifford the following year and thereafter rode as a freelance. His third winner came on Upall Night at Wolverhampton at Ludlow in April 1963 but he had to wait over two and a half years for his next, on 33-1 outsider On The Mat at Warwick.
White left Gifford the following year and thereafter rode as a freelance. His third winner came on Upall Night at Wolverhampton at Ludlow in April 1963 but he had to wait over two and a half years for his next, on 33-1 outsider On The Mat at Warwick.
But two and a half years was nothing compared to the wait he endured for winner number five – and then, just like buses, three came at once.
But two and a half years was nothing compared to the wait he endured for winner number five – and then, just like buses, three came at once.
In the space of eleven days in May 1971 – after a gap of five and half years – George White rode three winners, all for different Cheshire-based trainers. The first came on Welsh Blizzard at Wolverhampton for Malpas owner-trainer Mr A R Sutton; the other two were both at Cartmel’s Whitsun fixture, aboard Unwick’s Peace for Tarporley trainer Ray Peacock and Sir Kybo for Northwich handler Peter Milner.
In the space of eleven days in May 1971 – after a gap of five and half years – George White rode three winners, all for different Cheshire-based trainers. The first came on Welsh Blizzard at Wolverhampton for Malpas owner-trainer Mr A R Sutton; the other two were both at Cartmel’s Whitsun fixture, aboard Unwick’s Peace for Tarporley trainer Ray Peacock and Sir Kybo for Northwich handler Peter Milner.
But that, alas, was it. No more buses – or winners – came George White’s way. His last ride was on Welsh Blizzard, who finished fifth at Bangor after leading two out, on 21 April 1972. He relinquished his licence at the end of that season.
But that, alas, was it. No more buses – or winners – came George White’s way. His last ride was on Welsh Blizzard, who finished fifth at Bangor after leading two out, on 21 April 1972. He relinquished his licence at the end of that season.
Sadly, George White died young, in October 1984, aged 44.
Sadly, George White died young, in October 1984, aged 44.
His seven winners in chronological order were:
His seven winners in chronological order were:
1. Rock King, Wolverhampton, 22 November 1960
1. Rock King, Wolverhampton, 22 November 1960
2. Harry Goldmine, Wetherby, 24 February 1962
2. Harry Goldmine, Wetherby, 24 February 1962
3. Upall Night, Ludlow, 24 April 1963
3. Upall Night, Ludlow, 24 April 1963
4. On The Mat, Warwick, 11 November 1965
4. On The Mat, Warwick, 11 November 1965
5. Welsh Blizzard, Wolverhampton, 20 May 1971
5. Welsh Blizzard, Wolverhampton, 20 May 1971
6. Unwick’s Peace, Cartmel, 29 May 1971
6. Unwick’s Peace, Cartmel, 29 May 1971
7. Sir Kybo, Cartmel, 31 May 1971.
7. Sir Kybo, Cartmel, 31 May 1971.