George Fordham

George Fordham (1837–1887) was a British flat racing jockey. He was Champion Jockey every year between 1855 and 1863, as well as four other occasions in his own right and once as joint champion. He then won the Derby in 1879, won the Oaks five times, and the Grand Prix de Paris three times. His career high was 165 wins in 1862. He was described in 1910 as "one of the greatest jockeys of all-time".

Fordham was born the son of James Fordham in Cambridge on 24 September 1837. He was trained for the turf by Richard Drewitt and Edward Smith, and at the age of thirteen had his first ride at Brighton.

George's first mount may have been on Cora [3yrs 5st 1lb] at Epsom [badly away and unplaced] on Tuesday 5 November 1850 for Mr Douglas.

In October 1851 he gained his first victory in the Trial Stakes at the Brighton autumn meeting. He won the Cambridgeshire in 1853 on Little David, and in the following year unexpectedly won the Chester Cup on Epaminondas. From this time Fordham became a very popular rider. In 1855 he was at the head of the list of winning jockeys, and during eight succeeding years he occupied the same position, his best record being 165 wins in 1862. In 1859 he won his first important race, the 1,000 Guineas. The same year he won the Oaks on Summerside.

Fordham won the Ascot Cup five times, the Alexandra Plate once, the Gold Vase six times, the Ascot Stakes twice, and the Prince of Wales's Stakes four times. He rode several favourites for the Derby, but only won it in 1879 upon Sir Bevys. Fordham had, in all, twenty-two mounts for the Derby, his last appearance in the race being in 1883, when he was unplaced on Ladislas. He never won the St. Leger, though he rode twenty-two races. He won the Oaks five times. For the 2,000 Guineas, Fordham also had twenty-two mounts, but only won twice. He secured the 1,000 Guineas seven times out of twenty-one mounts. Many of Fordham's best efforts were in small races, when he frequently succeeded against expectation by his singular skill and resolution. His greatest achievement is said to have been in 1871, when he won the Cambridgeshire on Sabinus. His only Cesarewitch victory was in 1857, when the famous dead heat occurred between three.

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