Pat Eddery

Jockey

born March 18 1952

died November 10 2015

Pat Eddery, who has died at the age of 63 was a world-renowned Irish flat racing jockey and horse trainer, who won 14 British Classics, four Prix de L'Arc de Triomphes and was an 11 times flat-racing champion. For years he dominated the sport and by the time he retired in 2003 he had won more than 4,600 races, making him one of the greatest jockeys of all time.

His 14 British Classics included Derbys in 175, on Grundy, 1982 on Golden Fleece and in 1990 riding Quest for Fame.

Eddery was born into a racing family in Newbridge, county Kildare to Jimmy and Josephine Eddery, the fifth of their 12 children. Both his father and his grandfather were themselves significant riders.

He made his own breakthrough in 1971 when he was champion apprentice after riding 71 winners and was awarded the Gold Cup at Ascot after another horse Rock Roi was disqualified. This brought him to the attention of Rock Roi's trainer Peter Walwyn, who offered Eddery the position of stable jockey at what was then one of the biggest teams in racing. His career advanced rapidly and by 1974 he won the Jockey's Championship for his first time.

He defended it successfully for the next three years and regained it in 1986. In 1996 he secured his 11th championship an effort only previously achieved by the legendary Lester Piggott.

He was to be Walwyn's stable jockey for eight years, during which time he won many races on Grundy. Later he rode a series of winners for Irish trainer Vincent O'Brien.

He was a jockey who preferred to let his results speak for themselves and he had limited time for talking tactics. The rider on the best horse would usually win, he said.

However there was more to it than that. Only Sir Gordon Richards has ridden more winners in Britain than Eddery.

One of his most legendary rides was aboard Dancing Brave, in the 1986 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

It was the strength of his rivals which makes this win one of the most memorable of his career. In a starry field, Eddery made his challenge late, streaking 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 - which marked his 4,000th winner - and Zafonic in the 2000 Guineas.

He had some of his finest races in the silks of Prince Khalid Abdullah, whose racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe, said:

"He spanned the greatest era for jockeys ever. Lester Piggott, Steve Cauthen, Willie Carson, all were exceptional yet Pat's ability was unquestioned."

Eddery, began a training career following his retirement, with his biggest achievement in that role being the victory of Hearts Of Fire in a Group One in Italy.

He married the daughter, Carolyn, of fellow jockey Manny Mercer in 1978, although they were divorced in 2009.

He is survived by a son, Harry, and two daughters, Nichola and Natasha.