Racing great Pat Eddery dies at the age of 63

PAT EDDERY was described as "a natural horseman", and "a dear friend" by contemporary Lester Piggott, following the news of his death on Tuesday.

Eddery, 63, was champion jockey 11 times, won 14 British Classics and only Sir Gordon Richards rode more winners than him in Britain.

Piggott said: "Pat Eddery was as fierce an opponent on the racecourse as he was a loyal and dear friend off it. He was a natural horseman, he exuded class and always knew what to do in a race.

"The horses he was associated with speak for themselves, and I doubt you'd find a jockey with a sharper tactical brain or stronger in a finish.

"He was a huge personality in the weighing room, and wasn't slow to keep us all grounded with his wit and sense of humour. He will be sorely missed."

'One of the greatest jockeys to ever put a leg over a horse'

Another former weighing room rival and friend, five-time champion jockey Willie Carson, said: "It's very sad news. Part of my life has gone because I knew Pat for a very long time. He was an absolute gentleman and one of the greatest jockeys to ever put a leg over a horse.

"He was a born rider and always did the right thing and got horses running for him."

Clive Brittain teamed up with Eddery to win the Breeders' Cup Turf with Pebbles in 1985.

"We've some fantastic memories," said Brittain, one of the outstanding pioneers of the training ranks.

"Every horse he rode he gave 100 per cent. I was never surprised by his success. He was ice cool in any situation and nothing bugged him. There was nobody stronger and as a tactician he was out on his own.

"You didn't instruct Pat - he was natural. Whatever happened in the race Pat would adjust to and I'll miss him greatly."

'A fantastic man'

Eddery's former weighing room colleague Michael Hills, himself a Derby-winning jockey, told At The Races: "It's so, so sad. He was a legend to us and we all looked up to him.

"He was great for me and a person I'd always turn to for advice - he was a fantastic man."

Tony McCoy, the 20-time champion jump jockey, tweeted: "Very sad news to hear of the passing of Pat Eddery, true genius in the saddle #legend."

Ireland champion Flat rider Pat Smullen added: "Very sad news about Pat Eddery, an absolute #legend both as a jockey and a man."

Johnny Murtagh, like Eddery a multiple champion and Classic-winning jockey, posted: "Sad to hear the passing of legendary jockey Pat Eddery. Everybody looked up to him in the weigh room, real pro and a gentleman RIP."

Jonjo O'Neill, a former top jump jockey who is now a leading trainer, echoed those views, adding: "Very sad to hear the news of Pat Eddery. A true legend of the sport."

Desperately sad news. Riding had been his whole life and he could just never come to terms with being retired.