Patrick James John Eddery OBE (March 18, 1952 – November 10, 2015) was a prominent Irish flat racing jockey and trainer, known for his exceptional accomplishments in the world of horse racing. Over the course of his illustrious career, he claimed victory in the prestigious Derby three times and was crowned Champion Jockey on eleven occasions. With a remarkable 4,632 wins in British flat races, his record was surpassed only by the legendary Sir Gordon Richards.
Background
Born in Newbridge, County Kildare, Eddery grew up less than two miles from the Curragh Racecourse, an area deeply intertwined with horse racing. He was the fifth child in a family where racing ran in the blood; his father, Jimmy Eddery, was a notable jockey who won the 1955 Irish Derby on Panaslipper, and his mother, Josephine, was the daughter of another jockey, Jack Moylan. Pat’s brother, Paul Eddery, also followed in the family tradition, becoming a jockey himself. Pat's early education took place at the Patrician Brothers' Primary School in Newbridge, and after the family relocated to Blackrock, he continued at Oatlands Primary School in Stillorgan.
From Apprentice to Champion
Eddery’s journey into the racing world began as an apprentice jockey with Seamus McGrath in Ireland, but his career truly took off after moving to England, where he was mentored by Frenchie Nicholson. His breakthrough came in 1969 when he secured his first major win on Alvaro at Epsom Downs Racecourse, following a season of struggle without a victory. His success snowballed from there, and by 1974, at just 22 years old, he became the youngest Champion Jockey of the post-World War II era, a record that still stands. During his early years, Eddery was known for his distinctive, albeit unrefined, riding style, which proved highly effective despite criticism for its lack of elegance.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Eddery dominated the racing scene, winning numerous classic races and securing his place among the sport's elite. His partnership with prominent trainers and owners, such as Peter Walwyn and the Ballydoyle stables under Vincent O'Brien, led to several iconic victories. Notably, he rode Grundy to a memorable win in the 1975 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, a race often referred to as Britain’s “Race of the Century.”
Transition to Training
In the mid-1980s, as Arab owners began to exert their influence on British racing, Eddery became the retained jockey for Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte stables, a position he held until 1994. This period saw him ride some of the best horses in the world, including Dancing Brave, with whom he won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Eddery’s career was not confined to the UK; he enjoyed international success, winning major races in Japan, North America, and Hong Kong. Among his notable international victories were the 1986 Japan Cup on Jupiter Island and the 1985 Breeders’ Cup Turf on Pebbles. His global influence and consistent success made him one of the most respected jockeys of his time.
After retiring from riding in 2003, Eddery transitioned into training, setting up a stable with 40 horses at Musk Hill Stud in Nether Winchendon. Despite initially expressing no interest in training, he was persuaded by his wife, Carolyn, to pursue this new venture. His training career saw successes, including a Group 1 win in Italy with Hearts Of Fire in 2009. Eddery continued to train until shortly before his death in 2015.
Eddery’s personal life was deeply intertwined with the racing world. He married Carolyn Mercer in 1978, the daughter of jockey Manny Mercer, and they had three children together. His family, including his brother Paul and other siblings, remained involved in the racing industry. Despite a highly successful career, Eddery struggled with alcoholism in his later years, which ultimately contributed to his death from a heart attack on November 10, 2015, at the age of 63.
Patrick Eddery’s legacy in horse racing is marked by his extraordinary achievements as both a jockey and a trainer. His dedication to the sport and his numerous victories have left an indelible mark on the racing world, ensuring that his name will be remembered for generations to come.