George Ede

George Matthew Ede (1834-70) was an English cricketer. George Ede, of Itchen, Southampton, was the twin brother of Edward Ede. The Ede brothers were both educated at Abingdon School and both became cricketers, playing for Hampshire CCC. George Ede was captain from 1864 to 1869 and Edward Ede played for the county side from 1861 to 1870. George died at Sefton, Liverpool.

Racing career

Coming from the age of the public school educated all round sportman, George was also an accomplished horseman. He rode for several years as one of the top Victorian amateurs in steeplechasing, adopting the name Mr Edwards when riding and competed several times in the Grand National at Aintree. His greatest moment came in 1868 when he partnered The Lamb to victory in the event, a feat made the more remarkable by the fact he had been seriously injured in a fall just a few months earlier. Sadly it was at Aintree where Ede would suffer the injuries which ultimately cost him his life. He was leaving the course, having just competed in the 1870 Grand National when he was approached by a trainer to ride a horse named Chippenham in the following day's Grand Sefton chase over the notorious big fences. Ede had not planned to ride the following day and it was widely believed that he would be announcing his retirement from the saddle as he was soon to be married but when presented with a mount at Aintree he accepted. His close friend and riding colleague Arthur Yates implored him not to take the ride, which had already been refused by many of the top professional riders, stating "Don't ride the brute George, he'll kill you!"

Sadly Yates words were to prove prophetic. At the Monument fence, today known as The Chair, Ede and Chippenham parted company and although the initial fall did no damage it was when the horse tried to rise that Ede suffered his fatal injuries when Chippenham stumbled and crashed heavily onto his rider's body.

George was taken unconscious from the course, suffering crush injuries to his chest and died three days later at the home of racing trainer Ben Land without regaining consciousness. he was thirty-six years old and was survived by his mother, sister and twin brother.