The late Pat Eddery has been inducted into the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame. Eddery, who died in 2015, was named champion jockey on 11 occasions from 1974-1996 and booted home more than 6,000 winners. A total of 4,632 were in Great Britain, a figure exceeded only by the legendary Sir Gordon Richards, who had 4,870. Eddery won 14 British Classics, including three Derbys with Grundy (GB) (Great Nephew {GB}), Golden Fleece (Nijinsky II) and Quest For Fame (GB) (Rainbow Quest). It was aboard Grundy that Eddery rode in the 'Race of the Century' where his mount triumphed over St Leger winner Bustino (GB) (Busted {GB}) in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. in 1975.
His daughter Natasha Eddery-Dunsdon, a competitive showjumper said, “He was, and always will be, one of the all-time greats. When I think about what he was like as a jockey, I think about his quiet concentration, his focus, the determination to win. That's what set him apart, his desire to win and to beat his comrades–winning was everything to him, second best just wasn't an option.
“He had the best hands of any jockey, he was a kind rider, intuitive, he just connected with horses. If he were riding a puller, he'd simply give the horse the rein and drop his hands on the neck–I've personally tried this and I always get run away with–but they never did that with dad, they just stayed totally relaxed.
“Entering the Hall of Fame would have made him so proud; I only wish he were still here to experience this special moment. It's one myself and my family will cherish.”
Jockey Frankie Dettori said, “We used to call him 'God' because he was like God.”
Four-time champion trainer Richard Hannon, Sr., who Eddery rode for many years, added, “I'm sure Pat would have loved to have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. It's nice to be remembered. He was a very good jockey, he was very good with horses and he had a great memory of them too. If he rode one 18 months before, he'd know exactly all about the horse. He had a great brain.
“You didn't have to tell Pat anything really. He just went out and did his job. As a trainer you do the job to ensure the horse is fit and everything is fine, but he used to go out and do his own thing, however the race worked out. That makes a jockey for me–if the race doesn't go right for you, you think of another way round it.”
Other champions associated with the late jockey included El Gran Senor (Northern Dancer), Zafonic (Gone West), Danehill (Danzig), Sadler's Wells (Northern Dancer) and Warning (GB) (Known Fact). Among his quartet of Arc winners was Dancing Brave (Lyphard) in 1986. He also rode Pebbles (GB) (Sharpen Up {GB}) to victory in the 1985 GI Breeders' Cup Turf and the 1986 Japan Cup winner Jupiter Island (GB) (St. Paddy {GB}), both for trainer Clive Brittain.
His family will be presented with a commissioned medal, designed by Asprey and unique within British racing, which will be displayed as part of a special Hall of Fame exhibition at QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Oct. 16.
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