Georgie Wells
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
1919 - 2000
1919 - 2000
George Henry Wells, better known as Georgie Wells, was born in 1919. He was Britain’s champion apprentice in 1938 with 27 winners. He had no high-profile victories that year, mostly sellers and maiden plates, the best being Newcastle’s Perkins Memorial Handicap on Arnold II.
George Henry Wells, better known as Georgie Wells, was born in 1919. He was Britain’s champion apprentice in 1938 with 27 winners. He had no high-profile victories that year, mostly sellers and maiden plates, the best being Newcastle’s Perkins Memorial Handicap on Arnold II.
He then moved to Ireland and won the 1940 Irish 2,000 Guineas on Teasel. He also won the 1941 Irish Derby on Sol Oriens and that year’s Irish 1,000 Guineas on Milady Rose.
He then moved to Ireland and won the 1940 Irish 2,000 Guineas on Teasel. He also won the 1941 Irish Derby on Sol Oriens and that year’s Irish 1,000 Guineas on Milady Rose.
Although based in Ireland, he rode occasionally in Britain in the late 1940s and early 50s, riding three winners in 1952. They included Your Highness for Hednesford trainer Bob Ward at Liverpool on Grand National day, April 5, 1952, a 1m 6f Flat race in which two top National Hunt jockeys, Harry Sprague and Aubrey Brabazon also rode, as well as the then 16-year-old Lester Piggott.
Although based in Ireland, he rode occasionally in Britain in the late 1940s and early 50s, riding three winners in 1952. They included Your Highness for Hednesford trainer Bob Ward at Liverpool on Grand National day, April 5, 1952, a 1m 6f Flat race in which two top National Hunt jockeys, Harry Sprague and Aubrey Brabazon also rode, as well as the then 16-year-old Lester Piggott.
As a trainer, Georgie won the 1955 Irish Grand National with Umm, and won it again in 1971 with King’s Sprite. Two other big race wins came at Galway, with Umm in the 1955 Galway Plate and Vector in the 1971 Player/Wills Amateur Handicap.
As a trainer, Georgie won the 1955 Irish Grand National with Umm, and won it again in 1971 with King’s Sprite. Two other big race wins came at Galway, with Umm in the 1955 Galway Plate and Vector in the 1971 Player/Wills Amateur Handicap.
In retirement, he loved to reminisce over a few drinks around the fire.
In retirement, he loved to reminisce over a few drinks around the fire.
In December 2000, aged 81, he disappeared from the ward at Dublin’s Blanchardstown Hospital where he was being treated for pneumonia. His body was found three days later in a disused tunnel under the ward, which carried the pipes of an old heating system.
In December 2000, aged 81, he disappeared from the ward at Dublin’s Blanchardstown Hospital where he was being treated for pneumonia. His body was found three days later in a disused tunnel under the ward, which carried the pipes of an old heating system.
1940
1940