George Naish

George Naish

Article by Alan Trout

Although George Naish was probably riding over jumps as early as 1900. It was not until 1910 that he recorded more than one win in a year. He then rode nine winners in two years and ended his career with a tally of 17. 

He was born in 1873 and had the occasional ride on the Flat for many years without success. His first victory came at Hawthorn Hill on May 2, 1902, when Musicwood landed the Foxley Hurdle by three lengths, beating Darnel, ridden by leading amateur Walter Bulteel.

He won again on Musicwood the following year, but from thereon victories were few and far between. However, he did manage four wins on selling chaser Captain Bell, including one in which they beat the great Ivor Anthony, riding Sweet Peach, in a march at the Carmarthen Hunt meeting.

George had his 17th and final success on Wotopes, who beat three rivals to land the Grange Selling Hurdle at Cartmel’s traditional Whit Monday fixture on June 5, 1922, winning by two lengths. He had his final ride on the same horse when unplaced in the Henley Selling Hurdle at Shirley Park on November 8, 1924, by which time he was in his early fifties.  

George Naish’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Musicwood, Hawthorn Hill, May 2, 1902

2. Musicwood, Plumpton, February 23, 1903

3. Mahattma II, Eridge Hunt, April 4, 1904

4. Grandiflora, Hooton Park, April 6, 1906 

5. The King, Hawthorn Hill, November 7, 1908

6. Usher, Carmarthen Hunt, January 13, 1910

7. Grey Diamond, Colwall Park, March 4, 1910

8. No Song, Colwall Park, September 19, 1910

9. Captain Bell, Newton Abbot, December 26, 1910

10. Abalative, Tenby Hunt, January 12, 1911

11. Captain Bell, Carmarthen Hunt, March 3, 1911

12. Captain Bell, Hawthorn Hill, March 21, 1911

13. Captain Bell, Chepstow, March 28, 1911

14. Colonel Kidd, Newbury, December 20, 1911

15. Greator, Hawthorn Hill, March 24, 1915

16. Grey Coronet, Wye, May 10, 1915

17. Wotopes, Cartmel, June 5, 1922