Tributes pour in as 11-time champion jockey Pat Eddery dies aged 63
PAT EDDERY, the legendary 11-time champion jockey, has died aged 63.
Pat Eddery won four Arcs during his career
Eddery's illustrious career saw him win 4,632 British Flat races.
His successes include 14 British Classics, four Arcs, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Very sad news to hear of the passing of Pat Eddery true genius in the saddle #legend
— AP McCoy (@AP_McCoy) November 10, 2015
Shocked to hear the very sad news of Pat Eddery's passing - an amazing jockey.
— David Pipe (@DavidPipeRacing) November 10, 2015
Originally from County Kildare in Ireland, Eddery was crowned champion jockey in Ireland in 1982, 27 years after his father Jimmy had won the title for the second time.
Only Sir Gordon Richards has ridden more winners than Eddery in Britain.
And tributes from the racing world have flooded in.
"Very sad news to hear of the passing of Pat Eddery true genius in the saddle #legend," wrote AP McCoy on Twitter.
Eddery rode for the last time at Doncaster in 2003
Eddery became champion Flat jockey for the 11th time in 1996
Eddery won the Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe on Trempolino in 2000
Eddery won his 11th championship in 1996 to draw level with Lester Piggott.
He retired in 2003 to become a trainer and sent his first horse out two years later.
Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to Prince Khalid Abdullah, in whose silks Eddery had some of his greatest days, said: "It is extremely sad news.
"Everyone at Juddmonte is very shocked and saddened by it.
"He spanned the greatest era for jockeys ever. Lester Piggott, Steve Cauthen, Willie Carson, all were exceptional yet Pat's ability was unquestioned."
RIP Pat Eddery one of the greats
— fergus sweeney (@sweens78) November 10, 2015
Very sad to hear about the passing of Pat Eddery. #RIPPAT
— Willy Twiston-davies (@willy_twiston) November 10, 2015
Eddery rode over 4,600 winners during his career
Very sad to hear the death of pat eddery true gentleman r.i.p
— cathy gannon (@cathygannon353) November 10, 2015
RIP Pat Eddery a true legend
— Luke Morris (@Luke_Morris88) November 10, 2015
Robert Edmondson, Eddery's close friend and former weighing room colleague, told the Racing Post: "He was one of the greats - without doubt.
"He was a wonderful rider and loved horses. He was a natural and wanted to win more than anything."
And another former weighing room colleague Bruce Raymond described Eddery as a "fun guy" and "ultra competitive"
"It's very sad. He'd been unwell for a long time. I just knew him as a good, fun guy. Everybody knows he was a great jockey," said Raymond.
"We used to play cards and have lots of fun. I can't imagine anyone being in his company and not enjoying it.
"I was with him abroad - Hong Kong, Italy, Germany, everywhere. We travelled together. He was good, fun guy and very generous.
"He was blooming tough to ride against and cool. He was ultra competitive. He would beat you in a photograph and laugh about it afterwards."