Eddie Larkin
The son of a seafaring man, Edward Larkin was born in Bootle on December 14, 1931 and lived for a time at Sandycroft, North Grove Crescent, Wetherby.
The son of a seafaring man, Edward Larkin was born in Bootle on December 14, 1931 and lived for a time at Sandycroft, North Grove Crescent, Wetherby.
He spent six months with Major Fred Sneyd at Sparsholt before returning home to start a career as a wood moulder, but within a year he was back in racing, this time joining Captain Gerald Armstrong at Middleham, with whom he served a seven-year apprenticeship between 1947 and 1954.
He spent six months with Major Fred Sneyd at Sparsholt before returning home to start a career as a wood moulder, but within a year he was back in racing, this time joining Captain Gerald Armstrong at Middleham, with whom he served a seven-year apprenticeship between 1947 and 1954.
He finished second on his first ride in public, on Porta Rosa in an apprentice race at Redcar on Whit Monday, May 26, 1947. He rode his first winner on Gerald Armstrong’s Princess Madcap at Stockton, August 20, 1948.
He finished second on his first ride in public, on Porta Rosa in an apprentice race at Redcar on Whit Monday, May 26, 1947. He rode his first winner on Gerald Armstrong’s Princess Madcap at Stockton, August 20, 1948.
Based in the north, Eddie progressed to become one of the best riders of his day. His most notable wins were:
Based in the north, Eddie progressed to become one of the best riders of his day. His most notable wins were:
1957: Carlisle Bell – Norcrest
1957: Carlisle Bell – Norcrest
1957: Ayr Gold Cup – Jacintha
1957: Ayr Gold Cup – Jacintha
1960: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Running Blue
1960: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Running Blue
1960: Gimcrack Stakes – Test Case
1960: Gimcrack Stakes – Test Case
1960: Royal Lodge Stakes – Beta
1960: Royal Lodge Stakes – Beta
1961: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Crepello’s Daughter
1961: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Crepello’s Daughter
1965: Lanark Silver Bell – Current Speech
1965: Lanark Silver Bell – Current Speech
1966: Andy Capp Handicap – Sword Dancer
1966: Andy Capp Handicap – Sword Dancer
1967: Thirsk Classic Trial – Pennant
1967: Thirsk Classic Trial – Pennant
1967: Andy Capp Handicap – Pennant
1967: Andy Capp Handicap – Pennant
1967: Cumberland Plate – Lariak
1967: Cumberland Plate – Lariak
1967: Lanark Silver Bell – Voldemo
1967: Lanark Silver Bell – Voldemo
In December 1957, he won five Class One races on the card on the last day of the St Leger meeting at Bukit Timah.
In December 1957, he won five Class One races on the card on the last day of the St Leger meeting at Bukit Timah.
Eddie – always known by his fellow riders as Ted – was married on September 8, 1958, to Dawn Mary Curran: she gave him two sons, John Edward and Geoffrey Arthur.
Eddie – always known by his fellow riders as Ted – was married on September 8, 1958, to Dawn Mary Curran: she gave him two sons, John Edward and Geoffrey Arthur.
Eddie rode a total of 632 winners. His career was ended by a broken leg in the mid-1970s
Eddie rode a total of 632 winners. His career was ended by a broken leg in the mid-1970s
