Staffordshire-based jumps jockey Tim Eley began his racing career as an amateur, winning the Gilbert Cotton Hunters’ Chase at Bangor-on-Dee on Mountain Crash for trainer Tony Forbes on February 1, 1990, then following up at Doncaster the next month. He turned professional the following season and rode as stable jockey for Forbes, who was based at Hill House Farm, Stramshall, Uttoxeter.
Tim rode 14 winners in 1992/93, 11 in 93/94 and 18 in 94/95 when riding for Tony Forbes. Andy Streeter then took over at Hill House Stables and Tim continued in his role as stable jockey, enjoying his best season in 1995/96 with 22 wins. He also rode 150/1 outsider Far Senior in the 1996 Grand National for Swiss-born permit trainer Peter Wegmann, pulling his mount up at Becher’s on the second circuit when tailed off.
Tim’s winning tallies fell from thereon: nine in 1996/97, five in 97/98 and eight in his final season, 98/99. He rode his last winner on the Andy Streeter-trained Rajati in a four-year-old novices’ handicap hurdle at Chepstow on March 13, 1999. He had his final ride when pulling up on Averham Star for Bill Clay at Uttoxeter, May 1, 1999.