George Woodburn

George Woodburn

1861-1894

Article by Alan Trout

George Woodburn was far less successful than his younger brother James, who rode over 600 winners in a career that lasted for more than 20 years. Nevertheless, George, who only rode between 1882 and 1889, managed 40 victories.

Apprenticed to the stable of Mr Dougall at Newmarket, George had his first ride at Huntingdon on August 30, 1882 when Baron Hill finished last of the six runners in the Huntingdonshire Stakes. Before the end of the season he had his first success when riding a horse named Southampton to win the Johnstone Plate at Lincoln on November 2, beating The Jilt, the mount of Charlie Wood, by three lengths. George followed this with victory on Vale in the Midland Counties’ Handicap Plate at Warwick on November 22.

He enjoyed his best season in 1884 with 14 wins, but he only managed one in 1887 and two in 1888. His final victory came at Hull on August 25 of that year when I.C.U., owned by leading National Hunt amateur rider Tom Spence, won the Vyner Handicap by 10 lengths.

In 1889 George had very few rides, his last being when unplaced on Clamour in the Selling Handicap at Ayr on September 20. According to the record books, he had one further ride, his first for four years, when Mother’s Help finished down the field in the Nursery Handicap Plate at Thirsk on October 19, 1893.

George’s biggest win was probably the Molyneux Cup at Liverpool on July 14, 1885 when, riding Satchel, he beat Leeds, the mount of Fred Archer, by half a length. He also finished second on Hambledon in the Northumberland Plate, again in 1885, beaten three-quarters of a length by Blue Grass, ridden by Alfred Giles.

Sadly, George Woodburn died of consumption in his early thirties, in 1894.