Champion Jockey Pat Eddery Dies Aged 63
- Wednesday, 11 November 2015 07:19
Legendary jockey Pat Eddery has died at the age of 63.
Eddery was crowned British champion 11 times, claimed four Prix de l'Arc de Triomphes and won over 4600 races before his retirement in 2003.
Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to Prince Khalid Abdullah in whose silks Eddery had some of his greatest days, said the jockey held his own in a golden era.
"He spanned the greatest era for jockeys ever. Lester Piggott, Steve Cauthen, Willie Carson, all were exceptional yet Pat's ability was unquestioned," Grimthorpe said.
Eddery's achievements put him on record as one of the greatest jockeys of all time.
He won 14 British Classics, including three Derbys aboard Grundy (1975), Golden Fleece (1982) and Quest For Fame (1990).
However, his performance aboard Dancing Brave in the 1986 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is widely regarded as one of the most memorable of his career.
In one of the classiest fields ever assembled, Eddery made his challenge last, down the centre of the track, to snatch victory.
Other famous successes include those of Pebbles at the Breeders' Cup, Silver Patriarch in the St Leger and Zafonic in the 2000 Guineas.
Eddery, who had been suffering from ill health recently, began a training career following his retirement, with the highlight being the victory of Hearts Of Fire in a Group One race in Italy.
Piggott, who also won the championship 11 times, enjoyed an intense, yet satisfying, rivalry with Eddery on the racecourse, and was his friend away it.
"Pat Eddery was as fierce an opponent on the racecourse as he was a loyal and dear friend off it," Piggott said.
"He was a natural horseman. He exuded class and always knew what to do in a race.
"The horses he was associated with speak for themselves, and I doubt you'd find a jockey with a sharper tactical brain or stronger in a finish.
"He was a huge personality in the weighing room, and wasn't slow to keep us all grounded with his wit and sense of humour."
