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Michael James Eddery was one of eleven brothers and sisters who grew up in Blackrock, County Dublin, two of whom, Pat and Paul Eddery, were to become top-flight jockeys. Their father, Jimmy Eddery, was twice champion jockey in Ireland, won the 1955 Irish Derby on Panaslipper and the 1957 Irish Oaks on Silken Glider, and also finished second on Panaslipper in the Epsom Derby.
Michael James Eddery was one of eleven brothers and sisters who grew up in Blackrock, County Dublin, two of whom, Pat and Paul Eddery, were to become top-flight jockeys. Their father, Jimmy Eddery, was twice champion jockey in Ireland, won the 1955 Irish Derby on Panaslipper and the 1957 Irish Oaks on Silken Glider, and also finished second on Panaslipper in the Epsom Derby.
School did not figure highly on the list of priorities for either Pat or Michael – there was only one year between them – for they spent more time riding out for trainer Seamus McGrath. They both signed on as apprentices with McGrath but Pat yearned for the brighter lights across the Irish Sea and duly left to join Frenchie Nicholson’s apprentice academy on the outskirts of Cheltenham.
School did not figure highly on the list of priorities for either Pat or Michael – there was only one year between them – for they spent more time riding out for trainer Seamus McGrath. They both signed on as apprentices with McGrath but Pat yearned for the brighter lights across the Irish Sea and duly left to join Frenchie Nicholson’s apprentice academy on the outskirts of Cheltenham.
Michael rode two winners in Ireland before joining Denys Smith’s Bishop Auckland stable. He rode his first British winner on Sword Thrust in a valuable sponsored handicap hurdle at Teesside Park on October 7, 1972.
Michael rode two winners in Ireland before joining Denys Smith’s Bishop Auckland stable. He rode his first British winner on Sword Thrust in a valuable sponsored handicap hurdle at Teesside Park on October 7, 1972.
Two weeks later, October 21, he rode his second winner, Camillus, in a Kelso selling hurdle. His third came on Scorton Boy at Nottingham, below, on November 13. He was just starting to make a name for himself as a jump jockey, with Denys Smith tipping him for future stardom.
Two weeks later, October 21, he rode his second winner, Camillus, in a Kelso selling hurdle. His third came on Scorton Boy at Nottingham, below, on November 13. He was just starting to make a name for himself as a jump jockey, with Denys Smith tipping him for future stardom.
But in division one of the Warkworth Novices’ Hurdle at Newcastle on Friday,
But in division one of the Warkworth Novices’ Hurdle at Newcastle on Friday,
November 24, 1972, Michael’s world suddenly collapsed. Grimsby Town, a 33/1 outsider in a field of 24, ducked out through the wing of the fourth hurdle. The jockey’s right leg took the full force of the impact.
November 24, 1972, Michael’s world suddenly collapsed. Grimsby Town, a 33/1 outsider in a field of 24, ducked out through the wing of the fourth hurdle. The jockey’s right leg took the full force of the impact.
Surgeons at Newcastle General Hospital worked around the clock to try to save his shattered right limb but, with three bad breaks, a compound fracture of his thigh, and an 18-inch tear in his femoral artery, their attempts were in vain. The following Thursday, five days after the accident, they had no option but to amputate the leg below the knee joint.
Surgeons at Newcastle General Hospital worked around the clock to try to save his shattered right limb but, with three bad breaks, a compound fracture of his thigh, and an 18-inch tear in his femoral artery, their attempts were in vain. The following Thursday, five days after the accident, they had no option but to amputate the leg below the knee joint.
Recovery proved a long and painful process, involving hospital stays of two or three months at a time. It took the best part of five years before Michael, with upwards of 20 operations behind him, was able to wear his false limb with any degree of comfort.
Recovery proved a long and painful process, involving hospital stays of two or three months at a time. It took the best part of five years before Michael, with upwards of 20 operations behind him, was able to wear his false limb with any degree of comfort.
He did various Government training courses before being taken on as a salesman for Equine Products (UK) Limited, which at least helped him to maintain his links with racing.
He did various Government training courses before being taken on as a salesman for Equine Products (UK) Limited, which at least helped him to maintain his links with racing.
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