Pat Eddery facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pat Eddery
Eddery on 1982 Epsom Derby winner Golden Fleece at Leopardstown
Occupation	Jockey
Born	(1952-03-18)18 March 1952 Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland
Died	10 November 2015(2015-11-10) (aged 63) Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England
Major racing wins
British Classic Race wins as jockey: 2000 Guineas (3) 1000 Guineas (1) Epsom Derby (3) Epsom Oaks (3) St Leger Stakes (4)
Racing awards
British flat racing Champion Jockey 11 times (1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1996)
Honours
OBE Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot Racecourse British Champions Series Hall of Fame (2021)
Significant horses
Polygamy, Grundy, Scintillate, Detroit, Storm Bird, Kings Lake, Golden Fleece, Assert, Lomond, El Gran Senor, Rainbow Quest, Dancing Brave, Moon Madness, Warning, Zafonic, Quest for Fame, Toulon, Moonax, Bosra Sham, Lady Carla, Silver Patriarch

Patrick James John Eddery OBE (18 March 1952 – 10 November 2015) was a famous Irish flat racing jockey and later a trainer. He won the important Derby race three times. He was also named Champion Jockey an amazing eleven times. Pat Eddery won 4,632 flat races in Britain. Only Sir Gordon Richards has won more.

Early Life and Family

Pat Eddery at Oatlands Primary School in Stillorgan

Pat Eddery was born in Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland. This town is very close to the famous Curragh Racecourse. His father, Jimmy Eddery, was also a jockey. Jimmy won the Irish Derby in 1955. Pat's mother was Josephine, whose father, Jack Moylan, was also a jockey. Pat was one of twelve children. His brother, Paul, also became a jockey. Pat went to school in Newbridge and later in Stillorgan.

Becoming a Champion Jockey

From a young age, Pat Eddery dreamed of becoming a champion jockey and winning the Derby. He started his career as an apprentice jockey in Ireland. In 1967, he moved to England. He trained under Frenchie Nicholson. Pat won his first race on Alvaro at Epsom Downs Racecourse on 24 April 1969. This was after riding for more than a year without a win! That same horse helped him win six races in a row that year.

Pat quickly became very successful. He won the title of Champion Apprentice Jockey in 1971. He was known for being very natural with horses. Frenchie Nicholson, his trainer, said Pat was "in total harmony" with the horses he rode.

Winning Titles and Big Races

Pat Eddery won 11 championship titles during his career. He won four in a row from 1974 to 1977, and another four in a row from 1988 to 1991. In 1974, he became the youngest English flat racing champion after World War II at just 22 years old. He was also voted Jockey of the Year in 1974.

He rode for many top trainers and owners. One of his most famous wins was on Grundy in 1975. They beat Bustino in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes. This race is still known as Britain's "Race of the Century." Pat also rode for Prince Khalid Abdullah, a very important horse owner.

Pat's riding style was unique. He would bounce up and down in the saddle to encourage his horses. Even though it wasn't the most elegant style, it was very effective. He always said his main goal was to win. "A winner is a winner," he believed.

International Success

Pat Eddery also had many big wins outside of Europe. He won the Japan Cup in 1986 on Jupiter Island. He also won the Breeders' Cup Turf in 1985 on Pebbles in North America. He was an active racing ambassador, taking part in challenge races in places like Singapore. In total, his wins overseas, combined with his British wins, were over 6,000!

He received the first ever Lester Award for Flat Jockey of the Year in 1990. He won it again in 1991 and 1996. Pat Eddery retired from being a jockey at the end of 2003.

Becoming a Trainer

Even though he once said he wouldn't become a trainer, Pat Eddery changed his mind. In July 2005, he got a training license. He set up a stable with 40 horses. His brother, Paul, helped him as Assistant Trainer.

His first horse to run as a trainer was Perez in December 2005. His first win as a trainer was with Visionist in April 2006. His biggest success as a trainer was when Hearts Of Fire won the Group 1 Gran Criterium in Italy in 2009. He continued training horses until just before he passed away.

In 2005, he was given an honorary OBE award. He said it was "a great honour." He also helped as a judge for the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards in 2012.

Family Life

Pat Eddery married Carolyn in November 1978. Carolyn came from a family of jockeys too. Her father, Manny Mercer, her uncle, Joe Mercer, and her grandfather, Harry Wragg, were all jockeys. Pat and Carolyn had two daughters, Nichola and Natasha, and a son named Harry. Pat also had another son, Toby Atkinson, who became a jockey. Pat and Carolyn later divorced in 2009.

Death

Pat Eddery passed away on 10 November 2015, at the age of 63. He died from a heart attack at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. His funeral was held on 8 December 2015. He was cremated, and his ashes were to be scattered at his family home.

Publications

• Pat on the Back, written by Claude Duval, published in 1976
• To be a Champion, autobiography by Pat Eddery and Alan Lee, published in 1992

Major Wins as a Jockey

Pat Eddery won many important races around the world. Here are some of his biggest wins:

In Great Britain

• 1,000 Guineas – (1) – Bosra Sham (1996)
• 2,000 Guineas – (3) – Lomond (1983), El Gran Senor (1984), Zafonic (1993)
• Ascot Gold Cup – (2) – Erimo Hawk (1972), Celeric (1997)
• Champion Stakes – (3) – Vitiges (1976), Pebbles (1985), Bosra Sham (1996)
• Cheveley Park Stakes – (5) – Pasty (1975), Woodstream (1981), Prophecy (1993), Gay Gallanta (1994), Wannabe Grand (1998)
• Coronation Cup – (6) – Crow (1978), Rainbow Quest (1985), Saint Estephe (1986), Saddler's Hall (1992), Sunshack (1995), Silver Patriarch (1998)
• Coronation Stakes – (2) – Orchestration (1977), Magic of Life (1988)
• Derby – (3) – Grundy (1975), Golden Fleece (1982), Quest for Fame (1990)
• Dewhurst Stakes – (6) – Lunchtime (1972), Grundy (1974), Storm Bird (1980), El Gran Senor (1983), Zafonic (1992), Grand Lodge (1993)
• Eclipse Stakes – (3) – Coup de Feu (1974), Solford (1983), Sadler's Wells (1984)
• Falmouth Stakes – (3) – Star Pastures (1981), Magic Gleam (1989), Ryafan (1997)
• Fillies' Mile – (2) – Tessla (1988), Bosra Sham (1995)
• Golden Jubilee Stakes – (1) – Great Commotion (1990)
• Haydock Sprint Cup – (3) – Record Token (1976), Dowsing (1988), Danehill (1989)
• International Stakes – (4) – Beldale Flutter (1981), Assert (1982), Caerleon (1983), One So Wonderful (1998)
• July Cup – (2) – Sharpo (1982), Lake Coniston (1995)
• King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes – (2) – Grundy (1975), Dancing Brave (1986)
• King's Stand Stakes – (1) – African Song (1980)
• Middle Park Stakes – (5) – Habat (1973), Formidable (1977), Bassenthwaite (1984), Primo Valentino (1999), Balmont (2003)
• Nassau Stakes – (3) – Dancing Rocks (1982), Free Guest (1985), Ela Romara (1988)
• Nunthorpe Stakes – (4) – Sharpo (1980, 1981), Cadeaux Genereux (1989), Sheikh Albadou (1991)
• Oaks – (3) – Polygamy (1974), Scintillate (1979), Lady Carla (1996)
• Prince of Wales's Stakes – (5) – Record Run (1975), English Spring (1986), Two Timing (1989), Batshoof (1990), Placerville (1993)
• Queen Anne Stakes – (3) – Valiyar (1983), Pennine Walk (1986), Warning (1989)
• Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – (3) – Milligram (1987), Warning (1988), Bigstone (1993)
• Racing Post Trophy – (5) – Sporting Yankee (1976), Dactylographer (1977), Beldale Flutter (1980), Reference Point (1986), Armiger (1992)
• St. James's Palace Stakes – (3) – Radetzky (1976), Posse (1980), Persian Heights (1988)
• St. Leger – (4) – Moon Madness (1986), Toulon (1991), Moonax (1994), Silver Patriarch (1997)
• Sun Chariot Stakes – (2) – Sweet Farewell (1974), Free Guest (1985)
• Sussex Stakes – (6) – Posse (1980), Kings Lake (1981), Warning (1988), Marling (1992), Distant View (1994), Reel Buddy (2003)
• Yorkshire Oaks – (3) – May Hill (1975), Busaca (1977), Ramruma (1999)

In Canada

• Canadian International Stakes – (1) – French Glory (1990)

In France

• Critérium de Saint-Cloud – (1) – Miserden (1988)
• Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud – (2) – Glint of Gold (1982), Moon Madness (1987)
• Poule d'Essai des Pouliches – (2) – Ukraine Girl (1981), Houseproud (1990)
• Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp – (2) – Sharpo (1982), Double Schwartz (1986)
• Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe – (4) – Detroit (1980), Rainbow Quest (1985), Dancing Brave (1986), Trempolino (1987)
• Prix de Diane – (1) – Jolypha (1992)
• Prix de la Forêt – (3) – Brocade (1985), Wolfhound (1992), Indian Lodge (2000)
• Prix Ganay – (1) – Golden Snake (2001)
• Prix d'Ispahan – (1) – Sanglamore (1991)
• Prix Jacques Le Marois – (2) – The Wonder (1982), Lear Fan (1984)
• Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère – (1) – Tenby (1992)
• Prix Jean Prat – (1) – Olden Times (2001)
• Prix du Jockey Club – (3) – Caerleon (1983), Hours After (1988), Sanglamore (1990)
• Prix Lupin – (1) – No Lute (1981)
• Prix Maurice de Gheest – (3) – Beaudelaire (1983), Lead on Time (1986), Interval (1987)
• Prix Morny – (1) – Zafonic (1992)
• Prix du Moulin de Longchamp – (2) – Distant Relative (1990), All at Sea (1992)
• Prix de l'Opéra – (1) – Andromaque (1994)
• Prix Rothschild – (1) – Nashmeel (1987)
• Prix Royal-Oak – (3) – Old Country (1983), Raintrap (1993), Moonax (1994)
• Prix de la Salamandre – (1) – Zafonic (1992)
• Prix Vermeille – (2) – Bint Pasha (1987), Jolypha (1992)

In Germany

• Bayerisches Zuchtrennen – (1) – Kaieteur (2002)
• Grosser Preis von Baden – (1) – Glint of Gold (1982)

In Hong Kong

• Jockeys' Invitation Race – Destiny (1974)
• Hong Kong Derby – (2) – Breathing Exercise (1975), Grand Duke (1977)
• Queen's Silver Jubilee Challenge Cup – Caerdeon Line (1977)
• St. Andrew's Plate – Seven Stars (1979)
• Hong Kong Gold Cup – Observatory (1979)

In Ireland

• Irish 2,000 Guineas – (3) – Grundy (1975), Kings Lake (1981), Tirol (1990)
• Irish Champion Stakes – (2) – Kings Lake (1981), Sadler's Wells (1984)
• Irish Derby – (4) – Grundy (1975), El Gran Senor (1984), Law Society (1985), Commander in Chief (1993)
• Irish Oaks – (3) – Colorspin (1986), Wemyss Bight (1993), Bolas (1994)
• Irish St. Leger – (1) – Leading Counsel (1985)
• Matron Stakes – (1) – Mighty Fly (1983)
• Moyglare Stud Stakes – (1) – Woodstream (1981)
• National Stakes – (3) – El Gran Senor (1983), Law Society (1984), Danehill Dancer (1995)
• Phoenix Stakes – (3) – Achieved (1981), Digamist (1987), Danehill Dancer (1995)
• Tattersalls Gold Cup – (1) – Batshoof (1990)

In Italy

• Derby Italiano – (1) – Old Country (1982)
• Gran Premio del Jockey Club – (2) – Silver Patriarch (1998), Golden Snake (2000)
• Gran Premio di Milano – (1) – Tony Bin (1988)
• Premio Presidente della Repubblica – (1) – Tony Bin (1988)
• Premio Roma – (2) – Knifebox (1993), Taipan (1998)

In Japan

• Japan Cup – (1) – Jupiter Island (1986)

In Slovakia

• Slovenské Derby – (1) – Lonango (1997)

In the United States

• Arlington Million – (1) – Tolomeo (1983)
• Breeders' Cup Sprint – (1) – Sheikh Albadou (1991)
• Breeders' Cup Turf – (1) – Pebbles (1985)
• Man o' War Stakes – (1) – Defensive Play (1990)

Major Wins as a Trainer

In Italy

• Gran Criterium – (1) – Hearts of Fire (2009)