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The son of a draper, Eric Foster was born in Hanley Castle, Worcestershire, on September 3, 1897, one of ten children.
The son of a draper, Eric Foster was born in Hanley Castle, Worcestershire, on September 3, 1897, one of ten children.
He started working life in a butcher's shop before becoming apprenticed to Charles Tabor. He then served in the army until 1920.
He started working life 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, and then a coal wagon, before joining trainer Ben Roberts. He achieved his first major victory on Royal Chancellor in the 1924 Scottish Grand National and became champion National Hunt jockey in 1925.
On leaving, he drove a milk cart, and then a coal wagon, before joining trainer Ben Roberts. He achieved his first major victory on Royal Chancellor in the 1924 Scottish Grand National and became champion National Hunt jockey in 1925.
His other major wins both came in 1926: the Becher Chase on Blancona and the Liverpool Hurdle on Major Ray.
His other major wins both came in 1926: the Becher Chase on Blancona and the Liverpool Hurdle on Major Ray.
Regarded as unstylish but effective in the saddle, easily the best horse he rode was future dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Easter Hero. Eric rode him four times during the horse’s early career, winning twice. The first three occasions were in Ireland in August/September 1926. Having finished second in the Rakes of Mallow Chase at Mallow (now called Cork), they won the Mayo Plate Chase at Ballinrobe next time out, then finished second again in the Ardee Plate Chase at Dundalk. Reunited three months later at Kempton Park on December 28, Eric and Easter Hero won the Gamecock Handicap Chase.
Regarded as unstylish but effective in the saddle, easily the best horse he rode was future dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Easter Hero. Eric rode him four times during the horse’s early career, winning twice. The first three occasions were in Ireland in August/September 1926. Having finished second in the Rakes of Mallow Chase at Mallow (now called Cork), they won the Mayo Plate Chase at Ballinrobe next time out, then finished second again in the Ardee Plate Chase at Dundalk. Reunited three months later at Kempton Park on December 28, Eric and Easter Hero won the Gamecock Handicap Chase.
He suffered severe injuries in a fall from novice chaser Vain Prince at Ludlow on April 12, 1934. He remained unconscious for several days. It was another 19 months before he was able to return to the saddle.
He suffered severe injuries in a fall from novice chaser Vain Prince at Ludlow on April 12, 1934. He remained unconscious for several days. It was another 19 months before he was able to return to the saddle.
Eric Foster died at Bourton-on-the-Water on October 8, 1984, aged 87.
Eric Foster died at Bourton-on-the-Water on October 8, 1984, aged 87.
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