Pat Eddery: Legendary champion flat-racing jockey dies at 63

Legendary jockey and trainer Pat Eddery has died at the age of 63, it was confirmed on 10 November. A winner of 4,633 races, the 11-time flat-racing champion also triumphed in 14 British Classics and a combined 16 in Ireland and France throughout an illustrious career.

"It is extremely sad news," racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said. "He spanned the greatest era for jockeys ever. Lester Piggott, Steve Cauthen, Willie Carson – all were exceptional yet Pat's ability was unquestioned."

Eddery won both the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas Stakes – the latter on three separate occasions – in the 1980s and 1990s, also tasting victory at the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes twice. He collected three wins at The Derby, with arguably his most memorable and defining moment coming aboard Dancing Brave at the 1986 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Jockeys past and present have taken to social media to offer their condolences, with fellow OBE AP McCoy tweeting: "Very sad news to hear of the passing of Pat Eddery true genius in the saddle #legend."

"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," said trainer Johnny Murtagh.

Mick Fitzgerald added: "Really sad to hear of the passing of Pat Eddery. A lovely guy with a touch of genius on a racehorse."