Eric Eldin
Born in Drax, Yorkshire, on July 31 1932, Eric served his apprenticeship with Ryan Jarvis for whom, in 1966, he would ride Lombard to win the Ebor.
Born in Drax, Yorkshire, on July 31 1932, Eric served his apprenticeship with Ryan Jarvis for whom, in 1966, he would ride Lombard to win the Ebor.
He finished unplaced on his first-ever mount at Newcastle in 1948.
He finished unplaced on his first-ever mount at Newcastle in 1948.
His first winner was Penfair at Leicester, May 2, 1950.
His first winner was Penfair at Leicester, May 2, 1950.
Eric, having served his time, went to live in India for five years, returning to England in 1958
Eric, having served his time, went to live in India for five years, returning to England in 1958
He became stable jockey to Jack Waugh and, on Lucasland, won both the July Cup and the Diadem Stakes.
He became stable jockey to Jack Waugh and, on Lucasland, won both the July Cup and the Diadem Stakes.
He was on board Knockroe in 1973 when that horse broke the record for the Epsom Derby course. Lester Piggott had turned the ride down saying that he was fed up with the horse pulling himself up.
He was on board Knockroe in 1973 when that horse broke the record for the Epsom Derby course. Lester Piggott had turned the ride down saying that he was fed up with the horse pulling himself up.
Eric's one classic win came on Front Row in the 1968 Irish 1,000 Guineas.
Eric's one classic win came on Front Row in the 1968 Irish 1,000 Guineas.
His best season came in 1973 with 65 winners.
His best season came in 1973 with 65 winners.
He began training and, in 1981, landed the Molecomb with Prowess Prince and the Bessborough in 1983 with Grand unit, but was eventually beaten by economics.
He began training and, in 1981, landed the Molecomb with Prowess Prince and the Bessborough in 1983 with Grand unit, but was eventually beaten by economics.
"I was struggling to pay the bills and you can't carry on a business losing money," he said.
"I was struggling to pay the bills and you can't carry on a business losing money," he said.
He then took the unusual step of becoming a tour guide, escorting his passengers into the National Horseracing Museum's minibus for their tour of Newmarket Town, the gallops and the racecourse.
He then took the unusual step of becoming a tour guide, escorting his passengers into the National Horseracing Museum's minibus for their tour of Newmarket Town, the gallops and the racecourse.
Eric's grandsons are Jamie and Nicky Mackay, both jockeys.
Eric's grandsons are Jamie and Nicky Mackay, both jockeys.
Eric Eldin died at Newmarket on July 6, 2021, aged 88.
Eric Eldin died at Newmarket on July 6, 2021, aged 88.
Classic winner:
Classic winner:
Irish One Thousand Guineas: Front Row (1968)
Irish One Thousand Guineas: Front Row (1968)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1962: King George V Stakes – Panjandrum
1962: King George V Stakes – Panjandrum
1965: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Lomond
1965: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Lomond
1966: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Lomond
1966: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Lomond
1966: Ebor Handicap – Lomond
1966: Ebor Handicap – Lomond
1966: July Cup – Lucasland
1966: July Cup – Lucasland
1966: Diadem Stakes – Lucasland
1966: Diadem Stakes – Lucasland
1967: Queen Elizabeth Cup – Sound Of Sleat
1967: Queen Elizabeth Cup – Sound Of Sleat
1968: News of the World Stakes – Principal Boy
1968: News of the World Stakes – Principal Boy
1969: News of the World Stakes – Irish Mail II
1969: News of the World Stakes – Irish Mail II
1972: Fred Darling Stakes – Miss Paris
1972: Fred Darling Stakes – Miss Paris
1972: Coronation Stakes (Sandown) – Stubb’s Gazette
1972: Coronation Stakes (Sandown) – Stubb’s Gazette
1972: Horris Hill Stakes – Long Row
1972: Horris Hill Stakes – Long Row
1972: St Simon Stakes – Knockrow
1972: St Simon Stakes – Knockrow
1973: Craven Stakes – My Drifter
1973: Craven Stakes – My Drifter
1973: Thirsk Hunt Cup – Pontam
1973: Thirsk Hunt Cup – Pontam
1973: Horris Hill Stakes – Welsh Harmony
1973: Horris Hill Stakes – Welsh Harmony
1974: Fred Darling Stakes – Northern Gem
1974: Fred Darling Stakes – Northern Gem
1974: Norfolk Stakes – Overtown
1974: Norfolk Stakes – Overtown
1975: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Blue Star
1975: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Blue Star
1976: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Heaven Knows
1976: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Heaven Knows
1977: Lingfield Derby Trial – Caporello
1977: Lingfield Derby Trial – Caporello
1977: Horris Hill Stakes – Derrylin
1977: Horris Hill Stakes – Derrylin
1978: Greenham Stakes – Derrylin
1978: Greenham Stakes – Derrylin
1979: Criterion Stakes – Alert
1979: Criterion Stakes – Alert