Like everyone this morning, I was saddened to hear of the death of George Curtis.
He was known as ‘Gentleman George’ and no nickname ever seemed more appropriate. Split the word, or used as a whole, ‘Gentleman’ summed up this outstanding greyhound trainer and thoroughly decent soul.
On hearing the news this morning, I contacted my former boss John Sellers, who authorised me to publish sections from the book about George’s Life: George Curtis Training Greyhounds, first published in 1987.
I hadn’t long joined the Star when the book was being compiled and I had forgotten that I owned a special copy, signed by author Julia Barnes, the great man himself, and complete with the paw print of a superstar.
So where better to begin this tribute of a truly phenomenal greyhound trainer than with the foreword to the book, written by my dear friend and respected former colleague, Bob Betts.
FOREWORD
Publications on the greyhound personnel are extremely rare, so I applaud this commendably bold decision to write a book on George Frederick Curtis. But if ever a subject warranty such an undertaking that it was the former champion trainer, who was such an ambassador to greyhound racing during his star-spangled career.
He retired on December 31, 1986 after 48 years in his beloved sport which saw him rise from the happy bread-and-butter life at Portsmouth to an equally and enjoyable post at booming Brighton and Hove.
During his near half a century term which meant a 6am start an often meaning a near midnight finish six days a week, caring for man’s best friend, George fostered a string of close and happy relationships with us greyhound owners staff and fellow professionals.
Affectionately known this ‘Gentleman George’ few in this sport have attained so much genuine respect. George’s affinity with the hounds he trained – and particularly world record beater Ballyregan Bob, as this delightful book has chronicled – became blatantly obvious during the latter years of his career during which period he, at last received the national recognition he so richly deserved.
His relationship with the greyhound press was also something very special. In difficult circumstances, which would sometimes accompany any conversation or interview he would go out of his way to explain ‘the real story about a subject’ whilst also asking for discretion from the writer in any subsequent story.
The traditional annual press lunch is held at the Cheshire Cheese in Fleet Street towards the end of January when the previous year’s Greyhound of the Year awards are announced.
Ballyregan Bob lifted the title for 1985 and the wonder stayer retained the coveted crown the following year when Curtis also received the Greyhound Writer’s Association’s Special Award for Services to Greyhound Racing in 1986.
George was chuffed the first occasion when he dined with the press alongside his charmer of a wife Lily and Bobs owner Cliff Kevern and his good lady Jessie.
The quartet was so excited about ‘Bobby‘s’ award that they arrived at the Cheshire Cheese two hours early and were promptly given an escorted tour of the premises by one of the management.
“This place is absolutely fantastic” declared George when the press corp arrived. “It makes me feel so young when I visit historic place.”
But his experience on that first visit was nothing to the following year’s get-together. He was unashamedly embarrassed by the special award and kept apologising to the assembled journalists. That luncheon lasted close on for hours and it proved a special function for the press and certainly one which will linger in the memory
There are other fond memories of gathering with the Portsmouth born maestro and the period when Yankee Express clinched a unique Scurry treble at Slough 1982 -1983-1984 is high on the list.
I know the Scurry is a July competition and even allowing for an English summer it was odds on to be warm.
But for the fortnight during those three scurries climate seemed almost Caribbean. So while Yankee was burning it up around the delightful and much missed circuit, Curtis maintained a hot pace in the bar area with memories of some of his former staff trackers – Bad Trick, Upland Tiger, Glin Bridge etc. And as the great man whittled off star name after star name, Yankees cavalier and mischievous owners Sid Stenning, Bert Cusack and Ray Barnard kept up a barrage of light-hearted leg-pulls aimed at their trainer
“But none of them were as good as Yankee isn’t that right George?” and “don’t you tell the price otherwise” they joked.
It was the Slough where I first met George’s head lad and successor Bill Masters. “I’m putting Bill forward for my job when I retire” said George.
“He’s not frightened of hard work and I’ve taught him as much as I can. He’s also a good man and that is one of the most important things in life.
“George Curtis’s judgement about Bill Masters, as time has proved, could not be faulted and Curtis would probably have made it in the most trouble trades had he not decided to stay with training.
I’m certain he would have a few peers as a greyhound tipster. One of the first things he would do whenever I visited Hove would be to grab my racecard and tick up those he fancied. More often than not, his selection would be trained by a fellow handler.
I vividly remember the telephone conversation between us in July 1984. He told me “I have just acquired two outstanding youngsters son, Darkies Automatic and Ballyregan Bob.
“Ballyregan looks the better animal and he did a fast time around Tralee recently. He has the feel of a real good greyhound.”
This book by Julian Barnes relates in super detail the life and times of Ballyregan Bob and Gentleman George and all the success which went with it. The world record attempt by Bob at home track Hove in December 1986 proved a fitting climax to both careers.
George remarked in early January 1987: “It is nice now I have retired and scale down on a part-time basis. I honestly don’t miss the long day routine son.”
“What is your working week now?” I enquired politely.
“Well let me see. I do Mondays to Fridays and three nights a week at Hove although I take greyhounds to open races on some of the other nights” he replied almost casually.
It mirrors the love that gentle natured Curtis harbours for greyhound racing and the people who make the sport tick.
The fact that he was as happy as a sandboy been grafting at Portsmouth and a touch uncomfortable at the media exposure when he hit the jackpot with Ballyregan Bob speaks volumes for his own assuming character.
“None of this would’ve been possible without help from my staff – they deserve the credit” regularly comes from his lips whenever the personal accolades are flying around.
When the Life asked him in early 1987 to contribute contribute a regular monthly column he answered “I would love to, but do you think they will be interested in my life experiences?”
Read on
Bob Betts Greyhounds Editor Sporting Life
