Whar are your memories of growing up in Talgarth?
I was born in 1935 and was one of 13 children. I remember that we had a lot of freedom. During the summer holidays our parents let us go off in the morning and we woudn't return before supper time.
We would go down to the river or go scrumping. It was such a lovely place and of course you felt very safe.
We used to go up the mountain to pick wimberries and bring them back to my mother who would sell them.
I also remember having to go potato picking in the spring to get some extra money for the family. I remember that because even at that age you are not unaware of sore backs.
On a Saturday we'd be given sixpence to go to the fish shop by the Castle but we didn't get any fish, we'd buy sixpence worth of chips because they went further.
Every other week we'd be given one and six to go to Brecon as a special treat. The bus cost ninepence, the pictures cost sixpence and the other thruppence would be spent on a pie.
Brecon is only nine miles away from Talgarth and seems like no distance today but in those days going to Brecon was like going on holiday.
I know it seems incredible for a small place like Talgarth but there were two barbers there at that time. Jim Prosser used to cut my hair and Mr Davies' barber shop was on the square.
My best friend was David Prosser. We were together every day of the week. He's now passed on but I remember when I used to race at Chepstow or Worcester we used to meet up when possible.
I also remember Sundays very well.There were two churches and one Methodist Chapel in Talgarth. We were made to go to church on Sunday morning and the chapel on Sunday evening.
One memory of the war that has always stayed with me is watching what seemed like hundreds of aeroplanes flying over Talgarth on their way to Germany at night. It was an incredible sight.
When and why did you leave Talgarth?
My father was what I describe as an upper-class labourer. Because the war work in Mid and South Wales dried up he moved to work in Shepherd's Bush, London during the war years.
Once the war finished we packed our stuff on the back of a removals van and joined our father in London in 1946.
How did you become a jockey?
After leaving school at 15 I became a page boy at the Waldorf Hotel. I was five foot tall and weighed four stones three pounds.
One day the champion jump jockey, Tim Maloney, came in to the hotel. He told me I was the right build to be a jockey. He contacted my parents and I was apprenticed as a jockey with trainer, Ron Smyth.
The first time I'd ever been on a horse was in April 1950 when I arrived at Mr Smyth's stables, where I started a six-year apprenticeship.
Was Mill Reef the best horse that you rode?
Yes. Mill Reef was probably one of the best three racehorses of all time. His only defeat as a three or four-year-old was against Brigadier Gerard in the 2,000 Guineas in 1971 but that was over a mile. Mill Reef would always have beaten The Brigadier over a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half. To be honest anybody could have got on him and won. We did have an affinity but he was such a kind horse he would have had an affinity with anyone.
What do you remember about the 1971 Derby?
I've never revealed this before but I shouldn't have ridden Mill Reef in the Derby. They certainly wouldn't have allowed me to ride him today.Four weeks before the Derby I had a bad fall off a horse. My neck went out of joint. The doctor wanted me in a collar for six months. I had to sign a letter taking all the responsibility to discharge myself from hospital. The doctor told me that if I fell again it could be curtains for me.
But I had to ride Mill Reef in the Derby because if another jockey had ridden him in the Derby and won it would have been difficult for any trainer to replace a jockey after winning the Derby.
A lot of trainers wouldn't have risked me anyway because they knew the owners wouldn't want to take the risk. But Mill Reef's trainer, Ian Balding (father of racing commentator Claire Balding), was absolutely magnificent. He asked me if I was fine to ride Mill Reef. I said yes, and that was it, he never mentioned it again.
Have you been back to Talgarth since 1946?
I returned a couple of times when I was 17 or 18. I used to stay with Mr Davies the grocer. I visited my aunt, Mrs Rees but she was the only member of my family left there by then. One of my elder brothers had moved to live in Treorchy, another brother had been in the Navy and married an American girl and moved to America and so on. I now live in Spain. My wife and I keep saying we will visit Talgarth when we visit Epsom for the Derby every year but then something crops up and there doesn't seem to be any time.
Question and Answer article with Geoff Lewis.
Geoff Lewis' career in the Hall of Fame...
your comments
Mr Prendergast, Eire
Dear all, during the 50's, 60's and right through too the 90's a certain gentleman was behind the scenes at many a stable in Epsom. Braking the unbreakable and schooling and guiding thousands upon thousands of stable lads and horses alike. From dear R.Smythe, to the lovable tommy gosling, too Brooke Saunders and then to Geoff Lewis.During the 1989-1991 season, Geoff emplyed Epsom's most respected lad. Mr John-Joseph Hughes, from Kildare eire, took day to day charge of the Yard , while Geoff was in the USA. Silver wisp, silver wizard, and many others progressed under Mr Hughes's charge,influence and guidance. Mr lewis is and always will be grateful that Mr Hughes delivered where so many others had failed.Mr john Joseph Hughes, we salute you, the unsung hero of epsom's most successfull yards.the 24hr shifts spent at the yard, the love you gave the horses, the success you developed, the 40 plus winners Geoff Lewis achieved is all because of you, a true gent, a true horseman. WE salute you!
Mon Sep 28 10:25:39 2009
Neil Whitton
Please help im trying to trace David John Lewis who was also a jockey, who was from Treorchy please help.
Sun Aug 9 17:14:42 2009
Jane Fogarty.New Forest
My husband Mick Fogarty looked after Silver wisp and I have photos everywhere of the horse.I even have photos of him being hosed down in the paddock.
Wed Jun 17 09:58:48 2009
Jayne Goble (was Bowen) from Carmarthenshire, Wale
I worked for Geoff from 1989 to 1996 and looked after many horses in that time including Katie's first and flyfisher. Had the time of my life working for Geoff and met some great people. The best time was when Silver Wisp came 3rd in the Epsom Derby and the years when we had the 40 and 50 winners....as a young girl the pay i recieved for that was out of this world, not many trianers would have done that for their staff but Geoff did. Working for Geoff was one of the best times of my life. The good old days........
Sun Jan 11 16:58:26 2009
Kathy Chart from Dolgellau
Hello Maureen, yes your e mail address has been forwarded to me and I am so pleased,I have put loads of information in the post to you with that lovely photo of our great grandad David Lewis he Married Catherine Berry if there are any more of you out there please get in touch.
Tue Nov 11 15:56:41 2008
Maureen Fitzpatrick from USA
Hello Kathy! My Uncle Is Geoff Lewis. His brother John Lewis was his brother. I am so excited to see other relatives here! I am sending my email address on to the the site owners in hopes that they pass it on to you. I would love to see a photo of my Great Grandfather! I was so very excited to hear you have one! I really hope to speak with you soon.
Thu Nov 6 08:22:12 2008
Kathy Chart from Dolgellau Wales
Hi MichelleHaving seen your comments on this site I contacted my Aunty Glenys who is your mothers cousin, she last saw Kathleen at a funeral in London she had a little girl with her it may have been you? I think it may have been uncle Ivors funeral he was Aunty Mables husband, I have a photo of our granmothers father David Lewis, my Nan was Elizabeth they called her Evelyn and there was also a sister called Susie who lived in south wales. I have asked the owners of this site to send you my e mail address which I hope they will so that we can get in touch...I hope to visit Talgarth myself soon and try and find out if there are any relatives still there.
Mon Oct 6 12:10:19 2008
Michelle Tricker (Nee Dewey(
My mother was Geoff Lewis's cousin Kath Reynolds her brother Derrick Reynolds is still alive. My nan was Ivy Lewis and her husband was George Reynolds.Although I never met her as she died before I was born. I am currently researching my ancestors and would love to hear from any one.
Fri Sep 19 14:09:50 2008
Katrina Terry from Thirsk
i worked for Geoff (the guvnor !) for a couple of years when he trained in Epsom during the 90s it was a fantastic experience, i remember the year he trained 55 winners and had a huge gamble with the bookies, i will never forget that payday, all of us got a bonus over £1k how cool is that !!!! he was and probably still is a great character and a legend as a jockey.
Thu Aug 21 09:25:09 2008
Kath Chart [nee judkins] Dolgellau
I am the grandaughter of Evelyn Steadman [nee Lewis] from Talgarth she was a sister to Geoffs father I would love to hear from any family members.
Mon Mar 31 09:20:39 2008
Louise Hughes from Epsom (originally)
I used to work for Geoff Lewis (or Guvnor as all trainers seem to be known) when he trained at Epsom. I even rode Silver Wisp as a two year old! I loved working for him; he was a really nice man...once he got used to you! I looked after one of his best horses, Rough Pearl, who won the Italian St. Leger in 1984. He was also Geoff Lewis' first Royal Ascot winner I believe.
Mon Mar 24 20:09:37 2008
Glen Davies
I remember Geoff very well. He was one of the 'Westfields Gang' that had a friendly rivalry with the rest of us from the other end of town. I met Geoff on a number of occasions after he started his racing career when he came to visit my cousin Trevor(Tedda) Davies in Talgarth. I reall on one occasion he had a large Vauxhall car but because he was so small he had to have blocks fitted to the pedal to enable him to reach them. If ever there was a story of rags to riches Geoff's story is just that. I wonder where he would have ended up had he not moved to London.
Fri Nov 30 10:02:32 2007
Glen Davies
I like Geoff remember the days when we used to go off in the morning and not return until teatime. In those days parents never worried about you being out for this length of time. I also remember the potato picking season when we paid one shilling a bag for picking them. I also remember the night when hundreds of aeroplanes flew over Talgarth during the war.The sky was full of them,I think it was one of the nights of the thousand bomber raids on Germany. I recall many good memories of living in Talgarth but what I could write would fill a book.
Fri Nov 30 10:01:45 2007
What do you think of Geoff's memories? Have you got any similar memories of Talgarth?Add your comments below:
