Captain Geoffrey Tuppy Harbord Bennet MRCVS

[toofatfortakeoff]

Started with a cigarette card, wernt down a rabbit hole, and found some interesting information, 

Captain Geoffrey Harbord Bennet won the 1923 Grand National on Sergeant Murphy, the second oldest horse at 13, to win the NAtional.  He was described as one of ''the most courageous amateur riders''

''I  see now, and always shall do, the beautiful leap made at Valentine's by the late Captain Tuppy Bennet on Sergeant Murphy, the perfect seat and horsemanship of the rider'' 

  During the war, Geoffrey served as a  served as a Captain in the MRCVS.,being a professional vet in peacetime.  

Tuppy Bennet as Geoffrey was known, also rode Turkey Buzzard in the 1921 at Aintree remounting 3 times (no longer allowed) finishing a way back fourth.  Hannah Hollins, the owner of that horse was severely displeased and chased Bennet around the enclosure battering him with her umbrella and a string of expletives.

Geoffrey died 27 Dec 1923, when his mount came down at Wolverhampton in the Oteley  (then a steeplechase course) and kicked him in the head. He died, never regaining consciousness after 17 days, aged 29 old.  

After this incident helmets were made compulsory in horse racing. The funeral held at Newmarket was one of the biggest ever, with over 100 wreaths.  

Geoffrey Bennet's brother Sam Bennet, below was a trainer at Newmarket is in the photo shown served in the war with the Norfolks and both are shown in the link below.  

Lieutenant S Bennet | Imperial War Museums (iwm.org.uk)

 

Link to auction painting showing Bennet on Sergeant Murphy, a William Orpen painting that was expected to achieve E 350,000 

Auction favourite: William Orpen’s Sergeant Murphy parody painting to fetch €350k - Independent.ie