Geoff Lewis
British jockey (1935–2025)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Geoff Lewis (21 December 1935 – 26 August 2025) was a Welsh jockey.[1][2]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 December 1935 Talgarth, Wales |
| Died | 26 August 2025 (aged 89) Surrey, England |
| Occupation | Jockey |
| Horse racing career | |
| Sport | Horse racing |
| Major racing wins | |
| British Classic Races 1,000 Guineas Stakes (1973) 2,000 Guineas Stakes (1969) Epsom Derby (1971) Epsom Oaks (1971, 1973) Other major races Ascot Gold Cup (1971) Champion Stakes (1965, 1970) Coronation Cup (1971, 1972) Coronation Stakes (1958, 1971) Dewhurst Stakes (1970) Eclipse Stakes (1971) Haydock Sprint Cup (1979) International Stakes (1973) July Cup (1963) King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1971) Lockinge Stakes (1966, 1971) Sun Chariot Stakes (1971) Sussex Stakes (1969) Yorkshire Oaks (1973) | |
| Significant horses | |
| Altesse Royale, Lorenzaccio, Lupe, Mill Reef, Mysterious, Right Tack, Silly Season, Lake Coniston | |
| 1000 Guineas (1) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Mysterious | Jacinth | Shellshock |
| 2000 Guineas (1) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Right Tack | Tower Walk | Welsh Pageant |
| Derby (1) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | ||
 |
 |
 |
| Mill Reef | Linden Tree | Irish Ball |
| Oaks (2) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | ||
 |
|
 |
| Altesse Royale | Maina | La Manille |
| 1973 | ||
|
 |
 |
| Mysterious | Where You Lead | Aureoletta |
Biography
Lewis moved to London with his family (he was one of thirteen children)[3] in 1946. After initially working as a hotel page boy, he started his racing career as an apprentice with Ron Smyth, who was a trainer in Epsom. Between 1953 and 1979, he rode 1,880 winners in Britain.[4] Amongst his major wins were the 1,000 Guineas, 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Oaks (twice), Coronation Cup, and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. In 1971, he became the first Welsh jockey to win the The Derby, when he partnered Mill Reef to victory.[4]
Lewis retired as a jockey in 1979, after which he applied for a trainer's licence and began to train at Thirty Acre Barn, near Epsom racecourse.[5] He trained almost 500 winners, including the outstanding sprinter Lake Coniston, before his retirement to Spain in 1999. In 2014, he moved back to Cranleigh, to be near his daughter in Ewhurst.
Lewis died in Surrey on 26 August 2025, at the age of 89.[6][7]
Major wins
Great Britain
- 1,000 Guineas Stakes – Mysterious (1973)
- 2,000 Guineas Stakes – Right Tack (1969)
- Ascot Gold Cup – Random Shot (1971)
- Champion Stakes – (2) – Silly Season (1965), Lorenzaccio (1970)
- Coronation Cup – (2) – Lupe (1971), Mill Reef (1972)
- Coronation Stakes – (2) – St Lucia (1958), Magic Flute (1971)
- Epsom Derby – Mill Reef (1971)
- Epsom Oaks – (2) – Altesse Royale (1971), Mysterious (1973)
- Dewhurst Stakes – (2) – Silly Season (1964), Mill Reef (1970)
- Eclipse Stakes – Mill Reef (1971)
- Haydock Sprint Cup – Double Form (1979)
- International Stakes – Moulton (1973)
- July Cup – Secret Step (1963)
- King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes – Mill Reef (1971)
- Lockinge Stakes – (2) – Silly Season (1966), Welsh Pageant (1971)
- Sun Chariot Stakes – Hill Circus (1971)
- Sussex Stakes – Jimmy Reppin (1969)
- Yorkshire Oaks – Mysterious (1973)
France
- Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe – Mill Reef (1971)
- Prix Ganay – Mill Reef (1972)