Walter Eddowes
1918 - 2001
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Walter Eddowes was one of the first jockeys to ride Crudwell, Britain’s winning-most horse of the 20th century. Walter was on board for all four of Crudwell’s wins over hurdles, the first three in a row during a three-week spell in October 1950.
Walter Eddowes was one of the first jockeys to ride Crudwell, Britain’s winning-most horse of the 20th century. Walter was on board for all four of Crudwell’s wins over hurdles, the first three in a row during a three-week spell in October 1950.
Walter Eddowes was born on September 29, 1918. An all-round sportsman, he was also an accomplished footballer and athlete. He was apprenticed to Len Cundell at Aston Tirrold but his riding career was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the RAF. After the war, he continued to ride for the Cundell family, namely Ken Cundell and Crudwell’s trainer Frank Cundell.
Walter Eddowes was born on September 29, 1918. An all-round sportsman, he was also an accomplished footballer and athlete. He was apprenticed to Len Cundell at Aston Tirrold but his riding career was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the RAF. After the war, he continued to ride for the Cundell family, namely Ken Cundell and Crudwell’s trainer Frank Cundell.
It was Ken Cundell who revived Walter’s career, courtesy of a novice hurdler named Dawlish, on which he won three races in a row at Wye, Fontwell and Wincanton in September 1949 and then scored in handicap company at Wincanton towards the end of the season. He won twice each on Ken Cundell’s handicap hurdlers Arrogant and Eastbury, and achieved his biggest success on Rapid Rise in the Rendlesham Long Distance Hurdle at Kempton on March 4, 1950.
It was Ken Cundell who revived Walter’s career, courtesy of a novice hurdler named Dawlish, on which he won three races in a row at Wye, Fontwell and Wincanton in September 1949 and then scored in handicap company at Wincanton towards the end of the season. He won twice each on Ken Cundell’s handicap hurdlers Arrogant and Eastbury, and achieved his biggest success on Rapid Rise in the Rendlesham Long Distance Hurdle at Kempton on March 4, 1950.
An Easter Monday double on Mon Atout and Ivon Louis de Belford at Towcester helped him to a score of 12 winners for the season.
An Easter Monday double on Mon Atout and Ivon Louis de Belford at Towcester helped him to a score of 12 winners for the season.
Walter’s first three rides on Crudwell were winning ones, beginning with division one of the Novices’ Hurdle at Stratford-on-Avon on October 5, 1950. They then followed up at Ludlow on October 20 and completed the three-timer at Cheltenham (right) on October 27. After finishing third at Liverpool and fourth at Cheltenham on their next two starts, they returned to winning ways when taking the Stoke Poges Handicap Hurdle at Windsor on February 3, 1951. Their final appearance together was when finishing fifth in Birmingham’s Champion Trial Hurdle.
Walter’s first three rides on Crudwell were winning ones, beginning with division one of the Novices’ Hurdle at Stratford-on-Avon on October 5, 1950. They then followed up at Ludlow on October 20 and completed the three-timer at Cheltenham (right) on October 27. After finishing third at Liverpool and fourth at Cheltenham on their next two starts, they returned to winning ways when taking the Stoke Poges Handicap Hurdle at Windsor on February 3, 1951. Their final appearance together was when finishing fifth in Birmingham’s Champion Trial Hurdle.
Crudwell went on to win a total of 50 races, his other victories comprising seven on the Flat and 39 over fences, but they were all gained without the services of Walter Eddowes.
Crudwell went on to win a total of 50 races, his other victories comprising seven on the Flat and 39 over fences, but they were all gained without the services of Walter Eddowes.
Walter’s other winners that season included a double on two more of Ken Cundell’s horses, selling hurdler Tartu and juvenile hurdler My Cross, at Chepstow on October 19, 1950. He won two more races on Eastbury and rode what was to be his last winner on Sid Warren’s selling hurdler Romulus II at Wincanton on Easter Monday, March 26, 1951.
Walter’s other winners that season included a double on two more of Ken Cundell’s horses, selling hurdler Tartu and juvenile hurdler My Cross, at Chepstow on October 19, 1950. He won two more races on Eastbury and rode what was to be his last winner on Sid Warren’s selling hurdler Romulus II at Wincanton on Easter Monday, March 26, 1951.
He retired the following year, having ridden a total of 32 winners.
He retired the following year, having ridden a total of 32 winners.
In retirement, he lived at Compton, Berkshire, where he died in August 2001, aged 82.
In retirement, he lived at Compton, Berkshire, where he died in August 2001, aged 82.