Eddie Reavey
1919-1980
1919-1980
Born on September 22, 1919, Edward John Bernard Reavey was apprenticed to Ernie Davey and Steve Donoghue.
Born on September 22, 1919, Edward John Bernard Reavey was apprenticed to Ernie Davey and Steve Donoghue.
He rode his first Flat winner on John McGuigan's sprinter Near White in the Jasmond Handicap at Newcastle on March 30, 1937. They then won their next three races together, at Edinburgh in April, and at Ayr and Hamilton in May. Next stop for Eddie and Near White was Royal Ascot for the King's Stand Stakes, in which they were brought down to earth, finishing last of the 17 runners.
He rode his first Flat winner on John McGuigan's sprinter Near White in the Jasmond Handicap at Newcastle on March 30, 1937. They then won their next three races together, at Edinburgh in April, and at Ayr and Hamilton in May. Next stop for Eddie and Near White was Royal Ascot for the King's Stand Stakes, in which they were brought down to earth, finishing last of the 17 runners.
He rode his first winner over jumps on Sky Born in a Hereford selling hurdle on September 27, 1947.
He rode his first winner over jumps on Sky Born in a Hereford selling hurdle on September 27, 1947.
Eddie won the 1948 Welsh Grand National on Bora's Cottage and the 1950 Cheltenham Grand Annual on Norborne.
Eddie won the 1948 Welsh Grand National on Bora's Cottage and the 1950 Cheltenham Grand Annual on Norborne.
He was unlucky in the 1948 Grand National on Zahia when he mistook the course after jumping the second last.
He was unlucky in the 1948 Grand National on Zahia when he mistook the course after jumping the second last.
Eddie was a heavy drinker and gambler.
Eddie was a heavy drinker and gambler.
Aged 61, he died of cancer of the colon on September 23, 1980.
Aged 61, he died of cancer of the colon on September 23, 1980.
His son, Patrick Edmund (born in 1950) rode some winners as an apprentice.
His son, Patrick Edmund (born in 1950) rode some winners as an apprentice.
Article by Chas HammondÂ
Article by Chas HammondÂ