Foster, Eric

The son of a draper, Eric Foster was born in Hanley Castle, Worcester, on September 3, 1897, one of ten children.

He started out in a butcher's shop before becoming apprenticed to Charles Tabor. He then served in the army until 1920.

On leaving, he drove a milk cart - then a coal wagon -before joining Ben Rogers and becoming champion NH jockey in 1925.

He was badly hurt in a fall from Vain Prince at Ludlow in April 1934. He remained unconscious for several days.

It was another 19 months before he was able to return to the saddle.

His biggest wins came on Royal Chancellor in the 1924 Scottish Grand National, Blancona in the 1926 Becher Chase and Major Ray in the 1926 Liverpool Hurdle.

He died at Bourton-on-the-Water on October 8, 1984, aged 87.

Article by Chas Hammond