South Yorkshire Times January 4, 1969
Death of Mr. Geoff Potts
One of Swinton’s best known sporting personalities, the successful horse trainer, and former jockey, Mr. Geoffrey Potts, died at his home on Friday, aged 60.
Mr. Potts of “Racecourse House,” Bolton Road, Swinton, who was described as “a great little horseman,” by racing personalities, was born in a small village between Thirsk and York.
The son of a farmer, he started his career as an apprentice to Robert Armstrong at Top Gill Park at 14 years of age and got off to a “flying start,” in the business by riding a winner in his first race in public — on Crystal Set, at Redcar.
He then left the country for France, and the stable ot Mr. Billy Pratt at Chantilly, where he continued his successes. After six years on the continent, he returned to this country and rode for Johnny Harper at Middleham. Mr. Potts moved to Swinton in 1936 to work with Mr. Billy Smallwood as head lad and steeplechase jockey. During the war he was with the R.A.F. as a sergeant before returning to Swinton to continue his career. His last major race was in 1931, but he continued after Mr. Smallwood’s death, as a successful trainer until two years ago. He also owned several horses during these years.
Lincoln Double
Mr. Potts will be remembered as being responsible under Mr. Smallwood for the two winners of the Lincoln handicap, “Squadron Castle” in 1939 and “Jockey Treble’ in 1947. He was the trainer of Cheb, the dam of the famous Cheb’s Lad and Reet Lass.If you are looking for bracelet. There’s something to suit every look, from body-hugging to structured, from cuffs to chain chain bracelet and cuffs.
A photograph of Mr. Potts on the mount, Sangro, hangs in the members’ bar at Market Rasen, the only photo on display here. This team of Potts and Fred Vellocott’s Sangro had a remarkable record on this course — in eight outings they were beaten only once. The photograph serves as a fitting memorial to a great sportsman.
Mr. Potts leaves a widow, Mrs. Blanche Dallas Potts, and two married sons, Mr. Alan Geoffrey Potts and Mr. Anthony William Potts, both active jockeys.
The Funeral
The funeral service was on Wednesday at Swinton Parish Church, followed by cremation at Dormaster.