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1867 - 1937
1867 - 1937
George Harrison Williamson was born at Nottingham on November 25 1867, the son of a Nottingham hotel proprietor. He ran away from his Nottinghamshire home to Beverley in Yorkshire and rode horses trained by Tom Green.
George Harrison Williamson was born at Nottingham on November 25 1867, the son of a Nottingham hotel proprietor. He ran away from his Nottinghamshire home to Beverley in Yorkshire and rode horses trained by Tom Green.
He had his first ride in public as an amateur at South Notts Hunt in 1886 and gained his first victory the same day aboard Radcliffe. George subsequently turned professional and was champion National Hunt jockey in 1896 with 45 winners.
He had his first ride in public as an amateur at South Notts Hunt in 1886 and gained his first victory the same day aboard Radcliffe. George subsequently turned professional and was champion National Hunt jockey in 1896 with 45 winners.
In addition to riding in Britain, he rode frequently in Europe, enjoying many winners in Vienna and also winning Czechoslovakia’s most famous steeplechase, the Velka Pardubicka, on two occasions, on Alphabet (1890) and Hadnagy (1893). His major domestic winners included the Liverpool Hurdle twice, on Prince Frederick (1892) and Miss Patty (1895), and the Jubilee Hurdle on Amphidamas (1897).
In addition to riding in Britain, he rode frequently in Europe, enjoying many winners in Vienna and also winning Czechoslovakia’s most famous steeplechase, the Velka Pardubicka, on two occasions, on Alphabet (1890) and Hadnagy (1893). His major domestic winners included the Liverpool Hurdle twice, on Prince Frederick (1892) and Miss Patty (1895), and the Jubilee Hurdle on Amphidamas (1897).
However, his most famous association was with Manifesto, on whom he won the Grand International Chase in 1897 and the last Grand National of the century when storming home by four lengths in 1899.
However, his most famous association was with Manifesto, on whom he won the Grand International Chase in 1897 and the last Grand National of the century when storming home by four lengths in 1899.
Having landed some massive bets, the owner Mr J T Bulteel, gave George an extra £2,800 on top of his riding fee of £100.
Having landed some massive bets, the owner Mr J T Bulteel, gave George an extra £2,800 on top of his riding fee of £100.
George was a great fan of cricket.
George was a great fan of cricket.
George Williamson's Grand National record:
1892: Hollington 6th
1892: Hollington 6th
1893: Tit For Tat 4th
1893: Tit For Tat 4th
1894: Carrollstown 7th
1894: Carrollstown 7th
1895: Leybourne 6th
1895: Leybourne 6th
1896: Ardcarn fell
1896: Ardcarn fell
1899: Manifesto WON
1899: Manifesto WON
1900: Manifesto 3rd
1900: Manifesto 3rd
1903: Manifesto 3rd
1903: Manifesto 3rd
Best wins:
Best wins:
1890: Velka Pardubicka - Alphabet
1890: Velka Pardubicka - Alphabet
1892: Liverpool Hurdle - Prince Frederick
1892: Liverpool Hurdle - Prince Frederick
1893: Velka Pardubicka - Hadnagy
1893: Velka Pardubicka - Hadnagy
1895: Liverpool Hurdle - Miss Patty
1895: Liverpool Hurdle - Miss Patty
1897: Jubilee Hurdle - Amphidamas
1897: Jubilee Hurdle - Amphidamas
1897: Grand International Chase - Manifesto
1897: Grand International Chase - Manifesto
1899: Grand National - Manifesto
1899: Grand National - Manifesto
Curiously, George always race-rode with a toothpick in his mouth, and the one he had when winning the Grand National was mounted and made into a brooch by the trainer’s wife, Mrs W H Moore.
Curiously, George always race-rode with a toothpick in his mouth, and the one he had when winning the Grand National was mounted and made into a brooch by the trainer’s wife, Mrs W H Moore.
He died at West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, on August 18, 1937, aged 70. He had a race named after him, the George Williamson Steeplechase, which was run initially at Kempton in December before being transferred to Hurst Park in February. It was run for the last time in 1962, the same year that racing at Hurst Park came to an end.
He died at West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, on August 18, 1937, aged 70. He had a race named after him, the George Williamson Steeplechase, which was run initially at Kempton in December before being transferred to Hurst Park in February. It was run for the last time in 1962, the same year that racing at Hurst Park came to an end.
George left £19,000.
George left £19,000.
Kempton Park. March 1900.
Kempton Park. March 1900.
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