George Stead

George Gatonby Stead (1841–1908) was a notable New Zealand grain merchant, racehorse owner and breeder, businessman. He was born in London, England in 1841.

His main interest were race horses, and he was honorary secretary of the Canterbury Jockey Club from 1873 for over 30 years. In 1877, he promoted the idea of having the Riccarton Racecourse Siding built to make the horse racing ground more accessible, and to increase turnover. The line opened in November 1877.

He stood for Parliament in the Avon electorate in the 1890 election and was defeated by the incumbent, Edwin Blake. It was the only time that Stead stood for Parliament.

The ornithologist Edgar Stead was his son. Alfred Lee Smith was a business partner in Dunedin and had a stake in the grain merchant firm Royse, Stead and Co.