National Hunt jockey Thomas Edward Eames was born in Cooksbridge, Surrey in 1875. He had his first ride on Admiral Keppel (unplaced) in the Surbiton Steeplechase at Hurst Park on January 27, 1893.
He had to wait the better part of four years before registering his first victory, that coming courtesy of Will o’ the Wisp in the Smethwick Selling Chase at Birmingham on November 9, 1896.
He enjoyed his most successful season in 1900 with 18 wins.
He went on to ride a total of 53 winners over jumps, the last of them on Battalus in the Open Chase at Colchester on Easter Monday, March 31, 1902. It was on that same horse in that same race at the same Colchester fixture in 1903 that he had his final ride, finishing second in a match for the Open Chase, beaten 20 lengths.
On Friday, 26 February 1897, when riding Aberdeen at Lingfield, Tom broke his leg after colliding with Tippoo Tib, which ran into the rails on leaving the straight. He was unable to ride for many months and came back an almost forgotten jockey.
Sadly, after a long illness, Tom Eames died of consumption at his home in Emsworth the following year on Sunday, 15 May, 1904.
Mr Barns, landlord of the Locomotive Inn at Emsworth, set up a subscription fund for his widow and two children.