George Moore (jockey) facts for kids

George Thomas Donald Moore was an amazing Australian jockey and horse trainer. He was born on July 5, 1923, and passed away on January 8, 2008. George Moore was known as one of the best jockeys in the world. He had a long and successful career in horse racing.

He started his racing journey in 1939 in Brisbane. There, he quickly became a top apprentice jockey. By 1943, he had already won the Senior Jockeys' Premiership. After that, he moved to Sydney. In 1949, he began working with famous trainer Tommy J. Smith. Together, they achieved many great wins.

In 1950, George Moore traveled to the United States. He won the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar Racetrack. He continued to win Jockeys' Premierships in Sydney in 1957 and 1958. In 1959, he got an exciting offer to ride in Europe. He rode for important owners like Alec Head and Prince Aly Khan. While in Europe, he won major races like the Prix du Jockey Club and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. He also won a big British race called the 2,000 Guineas.

George Moore returned to Sydney and kept winning many races. In 1967, he went back to Europe to compete again. This time, he won three big British races in a row. These included the 1,000 Guineas, another 2,000 Guineas, and his biggest British win, the 1967 Epsom Derby.

In Australia, George Moore won many of the country's most important races. He was the jockey for Tulloch, a horse so famous it's in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. George rode Tulloch in 19 of its 36 wins! He stopped riding in 1971. By then, he had won 312 metropolitan stakes and a record 119 Group One races.

After retiring as a jockey, George Moore became a successful trainer. He trained horses first in France, then in Australia, and for 13 seasons in Hong Kong. Between 1973 and 1985, he won the training championship in Hong Kong eleven times. George Moore retired from racing completely in 1985. He lived on the Gold Coast and passed away in Sydney in 2008.

Celebrating George Moore's Achievements

George Moore is one of the most celebrated people in Australian horse racing history. He received many special awards and honours for his amazing career.

Important Awards and Recognition

• In 1972, he was given the title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This is a special honour from the British Queen for his achievements.
• In 1986, he was welcomed into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. This is a place for Australia's greatest sports heroes.
• In 1998, Sydney racing officials created the George Moore Medal. This award is given every year to the best jockey in Sydney.
• In 2000, he received the Australian Sports Medal. This was for his huge dedication to horse racing.
• In 2001, George Moore was part of the very first group of people to be inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. This shows he is considered a legend in the sport.
• In 2007, Australia Post put his picture on a postage stamp. This was part of their Australian Legends series.
• In 2009, he was also inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame.
• Since 2008, the Brisbane Racing Club holds a race named after him. It's called the Group 3 George Moore Stakes and takes place at Doomben Racecourse.

A Family of Racing Stars

Horse racing was a big part of George Moore's family. Many of his relatives also became successful in the sport.

His Family's Racing Legacy

• George's sister married another jockey, Garnet Bougoure.
• His oldest son, John, followed in his father's footsteps. John became a very successful trainer in Hong Kong. He even trained famous horses like Viva Pataca.
• Another son, Gary W. Moore, was also a talented jockey. He won many riding championships in Hong Kong. He also rode in Europe and later became a successful trainer himself.
• George's youngest child, Michele Ann Moore, also married jockeys. Her first husband was French champion jockey Philippe Paquet. Later, she married Australian jockey Peter Leyshan. Peter was very successful in Hong Kong and Macau, becoming a champion trainer there. Michele worked as an assistant trainer for both her father and her husband.

This shows how George Moore's passion for horse racing was shared by his whole family.