12 August 2010 South Midlands Stalwart Gee Passes Away
by Carolyn Tanner
The South Midlands area has lost one of its greatest supporters with the recent death of Colin Gee, who was diagnosed with lung cancer 16 months ago.
Colin, who worked in forestry for 39 years, was always destined to become involved in horseracing. His father had horses in training and his mother Sheila rode between the flags. It was the latter who pointed out that had it not been for the stud groom who was employed by the family in her son's younger days, Colin might have lost interest in horses had he been expected to do all the chores himself!
With his own family's ponies however, Colin was hands-on and happy to help with the grooming and mucking out, and he was very proud of the involvement of his four children, Tabi, Bay, Ellamanda and Hermione, in equestrian and country sports. Earlier this year he was able to go and watch the latter duo qualify for the Royal International Horse Show.
Colin, who was passionate about hunting, was involved in many countryside organisations. He was a member of the Grafton committee for many years, and often acted as senior steward at Point-to-Points. He also stewarded regularly under Rules, particularly at Towcester and Stratford. He referred to the Cheltenham Festival as part of his religion, and was very put out, said his wife Susie, that he was not well enough to attend this year. He did, though, get to many Point-to-Point meetings, and saw his mare Just Judy finish in the frame on all her four outings.
Colin, who achieved much success both in Point-to-Points and under Rules, scored his initial victory on Persian Yellow in the 1974 Oakley Maiden. He won the Old Harrovians' trophy at the Heythrop on no fewer than 13 occasions, several times on Crystal Gazer, on whom he finished runner-up in the 1979 Aintree Fox Hunter Chase.
After his retirement from the saddle, among those to benefit from riding his horses were brother and sister Rupert and Lucinda Sweeting, whose father Chris was one of Colin's successful trainers, and the 2006/7 champion James Tudor.
Although none of his children has yet shown any inclination for race-riding, Colin's well-known colours are likely to be seen on the course again this coming season. Just Judy has been given to her trainer Joan Johnston, who will run her in the "white with red and green sash" which has graced the sport for so many years.
