Category Archives: Jockeys

Introduction

 

To racing fans of a certain vintage, the name Pat Eddery strikes a certain glint in the eye. Although no longer with us, having died age 63, Pat Eddery is the co-holder of two major records: the most title championships in history, and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe wins record. While his career holds many other landmarks, it’s the sheer variety of wins that the Newbridge-born jockey managed across one of the most stellar careers in history.

 

With over 4,600 races, he’s one of the most prolific racers in all-time alongside being one of the most prolific winners, too.

 

Career Summary

 

As one of the most popular names in the history of jockeying, the impressive Eddery has always stood out as one of the sport’s most interesting and engaging characters. With the most successes in British jockey history, the incredible thing about Eddery is that like other people who reached his levels of success, he never carried the brash personality.

 

Whether it was winning one of his 3 Epsom Derbies or winning his 3 2000 Guineas event, he never bragged. Never one for hogging the limelight or arrogance, the fact he won so many races and claimed so many trophies is one of the most exciting parts of his personality. Many jockeys think they need the personality to go with, but Eddery proves that isn’t the case.

 

Rest in Peace, Pat – you’ll be missed fervently by all.

 

Achievements & Highlights

 

Major Wins – 2000 Guineas (3), 1000 Guineas (1), Epsom Derby (3), Epsom Oaks (3), St Leger Stakes (4).

 

Associations – Polygamy, Grundy, Scintillate, Detroit, Storm Bird, Kings Lake, Golden Fleece, Assert, Lomond, El Gran Senor, Rainbow Quest, Dancing Brave, Moon Madness, Warning, Zafonic, Quest for Fame, Toulon, Moonax, Bosra Sham, Lady Carla, Silver Patriarch.

 

Earnings – ?

 

 

Introduction

 

Known as one of the most impressive jockeys of his era, Michael Fitzgerald won over 1,300 races in a career that almost never took off. The barren spell of the late 80s and early 90s nearly forced him out of the game, but success soon came. Before long, he was one of the most revered and respected jockeys on the planet.

 

Major wins at he likes of the Grand National and Cheltenham seen him rise up the ranks and become a name who is truly revered in the sport that he loves. Despite nearly giving up and moving to the less competitive Australian circuit, Fitzgerald stuck it out and in time became a jockey who, to this day, many still look up to.

 

Career Summary

 

From his first big win at the Grand National in 1996, Fitzgerald went from a contender to one of the best in the business. However, despite the incredible promise of his career, injury was always a problem for him. He had found injuries overly common for a jockey, and his last action was to sustain spinal problems during the 2008 Grand National. At just 38, he had to call it a day with the threat of one day becoming paralyzed if he continued.

 

Planning to retire in 2007, he stayed on for one more year before calling it quits and now works as a presenter and analyst in the racing circuit. He also is a coach at the British Racing School. He also works with Nicky Henderson, a long-time associate, who he works with to mastermind new race tactics and the like.

 

Achievements & Highlights

 

Major Wins – 1,300 career wins. Grand National (1996), Cheltenham Gold Cup (1999), Hennessey Gold Cup (2005).

 

Associations – See More Business, Trabolgan, Rough Quest, Nicky Henderson.

 

Earnings – ?

 

 

 

Introduction

 

Noting on the official Twiston-Davies – a common name in racing fans lexicon – website that he has ‘been riding really sine I could stand’ it’s no surprise that Sam Twiston-Davies is growing up to be one of the most respected young jockeys on the circuit. With aristocratic blood in him from the success of his father, Nigel, Sam is a chip off the old block!

 

A rider for the fun of it as well as to avoid having to a get a ‘real job’ by his own admission, Twiston-Davies has been riding from a young age. Like many sports stars, he realizes that this allows him to live a life that few could dream of, while doing something that he truly loves.

 

Career Summary

 

With a budding career in the sport that awaits, Twiston-Davies started to see major success when he made his Grand National debut in 2010. He rode Hello Bud on the 10^th April, creating what was the very beginnings of a truly exemplary and memorable career path for both. His first major win came at Christie’s Foxhunter Chase, when he rode Baby Ru to success at the Cheltenham Festival.

 

It’s not just who he is related to that sets Sam Twiston-Davies apart from the rest: it’s that desire to win and to always success regardless of the depth or the scale of the challenge that awaits. At 21, he was already the top jockey for Paul Nicholls, replacing Daryl Jacob. Over time, we’re going to see the emergence of one of the true stars of the next generation.

 

Achievements & Highlights

 

Major Wins – (very hard to research this guy – the information is so vague, not sure what would be considered ‘major’ for him, sorry!)

 

Associations – Twiston-Davies family, Paul Nicholls.

 

Introduction

 

At just 29, James Doyle still has much of his career left ahead of him. What has come so far, though, is some of the most impressive racing and title winning seen in recent years. A world-class flat-racing jockey, Doyle has picked up an incredible 530 career wins and 13 major honours as a jockey from the Dubai Duty Free Stakes in 2012 to the Falmouth Stakes 2015, he’s won an incredible amount already – with much more to come, too, he’s bound to become one of the most decorated jockeys of his era.

 

Career Summary

 

Growing up in Cambridgeshire, James Doyle went on to become a jockey after the work of sister Sophie Doyle and mother Jacqueline. His mother was the trainer for Winter Derby 2000 winner, Zanay, and James got his first win on one of his mother’s steeds in Somayda. From that win at Goodwood, Doyle has gone on to claim major trophies as the years have gone by.

 

His first major trophy win came in 2012 when he won the Dubai Duty Free Stakes, winning by more than four lengths. This started a new era of his career, where he began to pick up trophies on a regular basis. As a stable jockey for Roger Charlton, Doyle began to pick up the trophies on a regular basis, with the Prince of Wales Stakes and the Eclipse Stakes followed by major honours such as the Irish 2,000 Guineas.

 

Riding for Sheikh Mohammed’ Godolphin as one of their trusted riders, Doyle has become a trophy winner and a popular jockey on the circuit.

 

Achievements & Highlights

 

Major Wins – Dubai Duty Free Stakes (2012), Tattersalls Gold Cup (2013, 2014, 2015), Prince of Wales’s Stakes (2013), Eclipse Stakes (2013), Moyglare Stud Stakes (2013), Irish 2,000 Guineas (2014), St. James’s Palace Stakes (2014), Sussex Stakes (2014), Champion Stakes (2014), Lockinge Stakes (2015), Falmouth Stakes (2015).

 

Associations – Sophie Doyle, Jacqueline Doyle, Al Kazeem, Cityscape, Kingman, Noble Mission, Rizeena, Night of Thunder.