George Whitehouse
1815 - 1869
1815 - 1869
Article written & submitted by John Griffiths
Article written & submitted by John Griffiths
George Whitehouse was born in Walsall in 1815.
George Whitehouse was born in Walsall in 1815.
The son of William and Esther Whitehouse of Park Brook, Walsall (now known as Wolverhampton Street) he was baptised at St Matthew's Church on 7 May.
The son of William and Esther Whitehouse of Park Brook, Walsall (now known as Wolverhampton Street) he was baptised at St Matthew's Church on 7 May.
His father was a fishmonger, but encouraged George who wanted a career as a jockey.
His father was a fishmonger, but encouraged George who wanted a career as a jockey.
Sometime in the early 1830s, he became an apprentice to Samuel Lord at Hednesford and he rode his first winner, Buffalo, for him at Walsall in 1834. Buffalo was owned by Mr T. E. Sharratt who had other horses with Lord.
Sometime in the early 1830s, he became an apprentice to Samuel Lord at Hednesford and he rode his first winner, Buffalo, for him at Walsall in 1834. Buffalo was owned by Mr T. E. Sharratt who had other horses with Lord.
It is likely that, before joining Lord, George was probably an apprentice with another Hednesford trainer as his most likely first winner was four years earlier in 1830 at Newcastle-under-Lyme with the aptly-named Hedgford, which was owned by Squire John Mytton.
It is likely that, before joining Lord, George was probably an apprentice with another Hednesford trainer as his most likely first winner was four years earlier in 1830 at Newcastle-under-Lyme with the aptly-named Hedgford, which was owned by Squire John Mytton.
That trainer was likely to be Thomas Flintoff as Mytton had some horses stabled at Prospect House.
That trainer was likely to be Thomas Flintoff as Mytton had some horses stabled at Prospect House.
Most of George's early winners before 1836 were owned by John Beardsworth whose trainer was Flintoff. This seems to confirm that his initial apprenticeship was with Flintoff.
Most of George's early winners before 1836 were owned by John Beardsworth whose trainer was Flintoff. This seems to confirm that his initial apprenticeship was with Flintoff.
It was towards the end of 1836 that he probably moved to Lord's stables and started to ride for Edmund Peel owing to the accident that had happened to John Spring.
It was towards the end of 1836 that he probably moved to Lord's stables and started to ride for Edmund Peel owing to the accident that had happened to John Spring.
For the next few years he rode occasionally for Peel and occasionally for Thomas Carr at Hazel Slade.
For the next few years he rode occasionally for Peel and occasionally for Thomas Carr at Hazel Slade.
By 1840, he was living with John Spencer at Littleworth as a lodger, and in the following year he married Spencer's daughter, Anne, and the pair set up home at Littleworth Cottage.
By 1840, he was living with John Spencer at Littleworth as a lodger, and in the following year he married Spencer's daughter, Anne, and the pair set up home at Littleworth Cottage.
It was during the early 1840s that Mr Collett became his patron as well as Lord Abermarle, both possibly having horses stabled at Hazel Slade. George also continued to ride for Carr, having ended his association with Samuel Lord and Peel.
It was during the early 1840s that Mr Collett became his patron as well as Lord Abermarle, both possibly having horses stabled at Hazel Slade. George also continued to ride for Carr, having ended his association with Samuel Lord and Peel.
It was Lord Abermarle's patronage which gave George his first major success in 1844 when he won the Ascot Gold Cup on The Emperor. 1845 saw him retain the Ascot Gold Cup - again with The Emperor - and, at the same meeting, win the Queen's Vase on Mr A. W. Hill's Sweetmeat, trained by Wadlow. (right)
It was Lord Abermarle's patronage which gave George his first major success in 1844 when he won the Ascot Gold Cup on The Emperor. 1845 saw him retain the Ascot Gold Cup - again with The Emperor - and, at the same meeting, win the Queen's Vase on Mr A. W. Hill's Sweetmeat, trained by Wadlow. (right)
He also won the Doncaster Cup on Sweetmeat in the same year.
He also won the Doncaster Cup on Sweetmeat in the same year.
According to Ruff’s Guide 1846, he was jockey to Lord Albemarle, Lord Chesterfield, Mr. Collett and Lord Spencer in that order of preference and his reputation as a sound jockey was growing in the south.
According to Ruff’s Guide 1846, he was jockey to Lord Albemarle, Lord Chesterfield, Mr. Collett and Lord Spencer in that order of preference and his reputation as a sound jockey was growing in the south.
In 1846 he won the Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot on Mr. E. Clark’s The Conjuror and the Steward’s Cup in 1847 with Mr. Rolt’s The Cur trained by French.
In 1846 he won the Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot on Mr. E. Clark’s The Conjuror and the Steward’s Cup in 1847 with Mr. Rolt’s The Cur trained by French.
1849 could have been his year for a Classic triumph, but he was pipped at the post by Charles Marlow on The Flying Dutchman. Nat Flatman was convinced that Whitehouse had won, but true to his honesty as a jockey George was not sure and so never objected to the Stewards' decision. Up until his dying day, privately, he agreed with Flatman and he too thought he had won.
1849 could have been his year for a Classic triumph, but he was pipped at the post by Charles Marlow on The Flying Dutchman. Nat Flatman was convinced that Whitehouse had won, but true to his honesty as a jockey George was not sure and so never objected to the Stewards' decision. Up until his dying day, privately, he agreed with Flatman and he too thought he had won.
It was strange then that his honesty was questioned by a race on Hotspur in 1850. The New Sporting Magazine (July – December 1850) fortunately backs Whitehouse by saying ‘The most ridiculous cock-and-bull stories have been told about Hotspur. One was that Whitehouse privately shipped some half a stone of shot ballast before the race, and had it handed to him in a pocket-handkerchief as he returned to the scale; the other was that the horse was not the same which ran as Hotspur at two year old.
It was strange then that his honesty was questioned by a race on Hotspur in 1850. The New Sporting Magazine (July – December 1850) fortunately backs Whitehouse by saying ‘The most ridiculous cock-and-bull stories have been told about Hotspur. One was that Whitehouse privately shipped some half a stone of shot ballast before the race, and had it handed to him in a pocket-handkerchief as he returned to the scale; the other was that the horse was not the same which ran as Hotspur at two year old.
After the Running Rein alias Maccabeus exposure (in the Derby), it was not likely that his owner (let alone all higher considerations) would have run such a risk; and besides this Marlow, who had won a two-year-old race on him at Bath, very quickly affirmed his identity when the question was put to him.’ Perhaps that doubt about Whitehouse’s honesty came from an incident at Sutton Races on June 19th, 1850 when three horses contested the West Bromwich Stakes. Whitehouse’s horse, Clara, won the first heat; La Malhereuse ridden by Yates won the second; and Sara ridden by Turner was awarded the third because both opponents had run the wrong side of the post. The Stewards, after hearing protests from the owners of Clara and La Malhereuse, awarded the race to Clara because they felt that the mistake by the jockeys was not deliberate.
After the Running Rein alias Maccabeus exposure (in the Derby), it was not likely that his owner (let alone all higher considerations) would have run such a risk; and besides this Marlow, who had won a two-year-old race on him at Bath, very quickly affirmed his identity when the question was put to him.’ Perhaps that doubt about Whitehouse’s honesty came from an incident at Sutton Races on June 19th, 1850 when three horses contested the West Bromwich Stakes. Whitehouse’s horse, Clara, won the first heat; La Malhereuse ridden by Yates won the second; and Sara ridden by Turner was awarded the third because both opponents had run the wrong side of the post. The Stewards, after hearing protests from the owners of Clara and La Malhereuse, awarded the race to Clara because they felt that the mistake by the jockeys was not deliberate.
That led the Birmingham Journal to write, ‘No respectable racing authorities continue heats on their grounds; they always engendered ill-feeling, and a congregation of leather-flappers (crooks) in this way is but a certain forerunner of that fraud and robbery, of which the public are the victims.’
That led the Birmingham Journal to write, ‘No respectable racing authorities continue heats on their grounds; they always engendered ill-feeling, and a congregation of leather-flappers (crooks) in this way is but a certain forerunner of that fraud and robbery, of which the public are the victims.’
The incident made the sporting headlines because the crowd were so incensed that the police had to be called in to quieten the trouble-makers. Though not really involved in any decision making Whitehouse’s reputation for honesty had been somewhat tarnished simply because he was one of the jockeys.
The incident made the sporting headlines because the crowd were so incensed that the police had to be called in to quieten the trouble-makers. Though not really involved in any decision making Whitehouse’s reputation for honesty had been somewhat tarnished simply because he was one of the jockeys.
By 1850 he was still living in Hednesford with his wife and growing family, his daughter, Elizabeth, being born in 1842, a son, John, in 1846 and daughter, Isabella, in 1848. By then his patrons were Lord Chesterfield, Mr. Meeson and John Fowler.
By 1850 he was still living in Hednesford with his wife and growing family, his daughter, Elizabeth, being born in 1842, a son, John, in 1846 and daughter, Isabella, in 1848. By then his patrons were Lord Chesterfield, Mr. Meeson and John Fowler.
In 1851, Whitehouse’s frustration with his failure to win a Classic was heightened even more when he narrowly missed both the Derby and The Oaks, finishing second in both races – the Derby on Marlborough Buck and The Oaks on Lord Scott’s Miserrima. However, he did win the Jersey Stakes at Ascot on Miserrima and followed that at the same meeting winning the Norfolk Stakes on Lord Scott’s Hobbie Noble trained by William Saunders. Hobbie Noble went on to win the July Stakes at Newmarket ridden by Whitehouse and was favourite for the following year’s Derby. The lack of a Classic winner is probably the one and only reason why Whitehouse was somewhat discounted by racing historians during the last century.
In 1851, Whitehouse’s frustration with his failure to win a Classic was heightened even more when he narrowly missed both the Derby and The Oaks, finishing second in both races – the Derby on Marlborough Buck and The Oaks on Lord Scott’s Miserrima. However, he did win the Jersey Stakes at Ascot on Miserrima and followed that at the same meeting winning the Norfolk Stakes on Lord Scott’s Hobbie Noble trained by William Saunders. Hobbie Noble went on to win the July Stakes at Newmarket ridden by Whitehouse and was favourite for the following year’s Derby. The lack of a Classic winner is probably the one and only reason why Whitehouse was somewhat discounted by racing historians during the last century.
During the time he was riding it seems he was much more highly thought of. The sporting paper, The Era on Sunday 19th February 1843, published a letter written in response to one of their articles from a couple of weeks previous. The letter was written by one who signed himself British Yeoman and the contents of his letter elevates Whitehouse much higher up the ladder than we have been led to believe.
During the time he was riding it seems he was much more highly thought of. The sporting paper, The Era on Sunday 19th February 1843, published a letter written in response to one of their articles from a couple of weeks previous. The letter was written by one who signed himself British Yeoman and the contents of his letter elevates Whitehouse much higher up the ladder than we have been led to believe.
The knowledgeable correspondent compiled a table of the twelve most successful jockeys for the years 1840, 1841 and 1842. Whitehouse was in fifth place with 74 winners, only the likes of John Cartwright (77), Jem Robinson (78), Tommy Lye (101) and the great Nat Flatman (162) in front of him. During his career, which spanned twenty-two years from 1834 to 1856, Whitehouse probably rode in excess of 350 winners. His annual winner totals, where known, are as follows:-
The knowledgeable correspondent compiled a table of the twelve most successful jockeys for the years 1840, 1841 and 1842. Whitehouse was in fifth place with 74 winners, only the likes of John Cartwright (77), Jem Robinson (78), Tommy Lye (101) and the great Nat Flatman (162) in front of him. During his career, which spanned twenty-two years from 1834 to 1856, Whitehouse probably rode in excess of 350 winners. His annual winner totals, where known, are as follows:-
In 1852 he won the July Stakes again, that time on The Reiver and in 1853 he won the St. James’s Palace Stakes on the same horse. His final prestigious victory came in the same year when he won the Gimcrack Stakes at York on Mr. Saxon’s Barrell.
In 1852 he won the July Stakes again, that time on The Reiver and in 1853 he won the St. James’s Palace Stakes on the same horse. His final prestigious victory came in the same year when he won the Gimcrack Stakes at York on Mr. Saxon’s Barrell.
By 1857 Whitehouse was living in Lichfield and Ruff’s Guide listed him as a freelance jockey. It seems that by then he had almost finished riding and had begun to have a few horses of his own like so many other jockeys. His final mount in The Derby came in 1856 on Newington and at the end of that season he more than likely retired.
By 1857 Whitehouse was living in Lichfield and Ruff’s Guide listed him as a freelance jockey. It seems that by then he had almost finished riding and had begun to have a few horses of his own like so many other jockeys. His final mount in The Derby came in 1856 on Newington and at the end of that season he more than likely retired.
It was thought that his final mount was at Lichfield Races in 1858 but this is incorrect. That jockey ‘Whitehouse’, with no initial or Christian name, was carrying 6st. 11lbs. and George, although classed as a lightweight jockey, hadn’t been that weight for many years and was actually 8st. 5lbs. at his death.
It was thought that his final mount was at Lichfield Races in 1858 but this is incorrect. That jockey ‘Whitehouse’, with no initial or Christian name, was carrying 6st. 11lbs. and George, although classed as a lightweight jockey, hadn’t been that weight for many years and was actually 8st. 5lbs. at his death.
He died at Rose Cottage, Upper St. John Street, Lichfield on 19th February 1869 aged fifty-four. The cause of death was said to be through ‘general decay’. Reports of his death in the Sporting Life and Bell’s Life & Sporting Chronicle comment on how popular and genial a character Whitehouse was and also how well respected he was too in the racing world.
He died at Rose Cottage, Upper St. John Street, Lichfield on 19th February 1869 aged fifty-four. The cause of death was said to be through ‘general decay’. Reports of his death in the Sporting Life and Bell’s Life & Sporting Chronicle comment on how popular and genial a character Whitehouse was and also how well respected he was too in the racing world.
The publications listed Lord George Bentinck, Lord Albemarle, Lord Chesterfield, Lord George Scott and Lord John Scott as well as Mr. Collett and many others that he had ridden for. The final paragraph of his obituary in the Sporting Life reads:‘To the last he could ride 8st. 5lbs. with ease. His seat was peculiar, and he had none of the regular jockey character about him out of the saddle, in addition to which he was rather knock-kneed. He was a remarkably dapper sort of man, and was seldom seen without the neatest of umbrellas, whatever the day might be. In his conversation he was most genial, and his way of telling anecdotes was particularly racy.’
The publications listed Lord George Bentinck, Lord Albemarle, Lord Chesterfield, Lord George Scott and Lord John Scott as well as Mr. Collett and many others that he had ridden for. The final paragraph of his obituary in the Sporting Life reads:‘To the last he could ride 8st. 5lbs. with ease. His seat was peculiar, and he had none of the regular jockey character about him out of the saddle, in addition to which he was rather knock-kneed. He was a remarkably dapper sort of man, and was seldom seen without the neatest of umbrellas, whatever the day might be. In his conversation he was most genial, and his way of telling anecdotes was particularly racy.’
His estate was worth just under £5,000 pounds, a considerable amount for the time. His trustees were directed to invest his money in ‘some or one of the public stocks or funds and to give the interest to any child who had not reached the age of 21.’
His estate was worth just under £5,000 pounds, a considerable amount for the time. His trustees were directed to invest his money in ‘some or one of the public stocks or funds and to give the interest to any child who had not reached the age of 21.’
He also bequeathed ‘the furniture, plate, linen, china, liquors and any housekeeping stores to his wife absolutely’. They were to be shared equally amongst his children on her death.
He also bequeathed ‘the furniture, plate, linen, china, liquors and any housekeeping stores to his wife absolutely’. They were to be shared equally amongst his children on her death.
Big race winners: Ascot Gold Cup twice on The Emperor in 1844 and 1845. Doncaster Cup on Sweetmeat in 1845. Stewards Cup on The Cur in 1847. Gimcrack Stakes on Barrel in 1853. Jersey Stakes on Miserrima in 1851. Norfolk Stakes on Hobbie Noble in 1851. Queen’s Vase on Sweetmeat in 1845. Queen Anne Stakes on The Conjuror in 1846. 1853 Gimcrack Stakes
Big race winners: Ascot Gold Cup twice on The Emperor in 1844 and 1845. Doncaster Cup on Sweetmeat in 1845. Stewards Cup on The Cur in 1847. Gimcrack Stakes on Barrel in 1853. Jersey Stakes on Miserrima in 1851. Norfolk Stakes on Hobbie Noble in 1851. Queen’s Vase on Sweetmeat in 1845. Queen Anne Stakes on The Conjuror in 1846. 1853 Gimcrack Stakes