Eldred Burns

Eldred Burns

Article by Alan Trout

Eldred Burns rode one winner under National Hunt rules. Attached to the renowned Bishop Auckland stable of Arthur Stephenson, he had his first ride at Wetherby on February 5, 1977, when Bitter End was one of seven or eight to finish tailed off in the Panama Cigar Hurdle Championship qualifier. 

His sole success came at Sedgefield on March 25, 1980, when 3/1 chance Gay Invader, owned and trained by Stephenson, took the lead three fences out and held off the challenge of leading amateur rider Geordie Dun on Northern Despatch to win the Seaham Novices’ Chase by a length and a half. The six -year-old had only managed two fourth places that season when ridden by stable jockey Ridley Lamb, who then took over again and won at Kelso next time out. 

Being one of several conditional jockey based with Stephenson, competition for rides was always fierce, which doubtless explains his lack of opportunities. He had his final ride on Unscrupulous Judge was a never nearer fifth of eleven starters in the Cavendish Novices’ Hurdle at Cartmel on May 29, 1982.

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