George Reeves was the originator of a meeting of gentlemen held on Friday 22 October 1852 for the purpose of taking into consideration the formation of a turf club, having for its object the improvement of the breed of horses in Western Australia and the establishment of regular races.
George Reeves was the originator of a meeting of gentlemen held on Friday 22 October 1852 for the purpose of taking into consideration the formation of a turf club, having for its object the improvement of the breed of horses in Western Australia and the establishment of regular races.
Born in the United Kingdom in the early 1800s, Reeves joined the British Army in 1824 and rose through the ranks - from Ensign to Lieutenant (1826) to Captain (1827) to Brevet Major (1841) to Brevet Lieutenant Colonel (1851) to Major (1854) to Colonel (1854) to Lieutenant Colonel (1858). In 1860, Reeves saw decorated active service with the 99th (Lanarkshire) Regiment of Foot during the Second Opium War. Reeves spent only five years in WA but the Western Australian Turf Club owes its origins to his interest, initiative and influence. Reeves died in 1865.