Irish-born National Hunt jockey Eddie Bell rode in Britain for two years in the mid-1960s and rode seven winners, to add to those he rode in Ireland.
William Edward Bell rode his first winner on Knockanacunna in an eventful five-horse handicap chase at Thurles on February 27, 1964, in which two fell, one refused, and the only other finisher was disqualified for failing to jump one of the fences.
He crossed the Irish Sea early in 1965 and joined the Maldon, Essex yard of permit trainer Alan Brush. He rode his first British winner for Brush on novice hurdler Reaper’s Son at Kempton on March 12. He then rode him to victory in a division of the Coronation Hurdle at Liverpool’s Grand National meeting. He followed that with victory on Arthur Neaves’ horse Brown Study in the Bob Wigney Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton’s Easter meeting.
Eddie rode four winners the following season, all of them owned and trained by Brush, the last being on Harlech at Sandown on March 19, 1966. He held a licence the following season but failed to ride a winner.
He returned to Ireland and continued his career there, although his mounts were few and far between. His first ride back was on Old Paint at Down Royal on October 18, 1967. He became Old Paint’s regular rider, although the closest they got to winning was when finishing second to Tom Dreaper’s useful horse Stonedale at Dundalk on October 23, 1968.
Eddie rode one more winner, Twist Of Sand for permit holder George Wilson in a mares’ maiden hurdle at Dundalk on May 24, 1969. Twist Of Sand was also his final ride when finishing eighth of 20 in the Slane Handicap Hurdle at Navan on April 8, 1970.
Eddie eventually returned to Britain and worked at various studs. He joined Rutland Stud in Newmarket in 1988. However, a few years later he was kicked by a horse there and died of his injuries six weeks later in Addenbrookes Hospital. His funeral took place at Cambridge Crematorium.
Eddie Bell’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Knockanacunna, Thurles, February 27, 1964
2. Prairie Mistress, Mallow, March 28, 1964
3. Incendiary, Powerstown Park (Clonmel), November 5, 1964
4. Prairie Mistress, Thurles, November 12, 1964
5. Knockanacunna, Mullingar, December 16, 1964
6. Incendiary, Limerick, December 26, 1964
7. Reaper’s Son, Kempton Park, March 12, 1965
8. Reaper’s Son, Liverpool, March 26, 1965
9. Brown Study, Plumpton, April 17, 1965
10. Molideti, Fakenham, August 28, 1965
11. Reaper’s Son, Sandown Park, October 20, 1965
12. Harlech, Huntingdon, October 30, 1965
13. Harlech, Sandown Park, March 19, 1966
14. Twist Of Sand, Dundalk, May 24, 1969
