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Eric Wendyll Joseph Woods was born on 1 May, 1962, and lived at Chair Hall Farm, The Green, West Ron, Bury St Edmunds. Wendyll had an older brother, Dwayne, and a younger brother, Sean and often joked about being born 'in the middle of the Woods. Their father, Barney, was the leading apprentice in Ireland before going to Bangalore in India, where the boys were brought up. Barney Woods rode over 1,500 winners there.
Eric Wendyll Joseph Woods was born on 1 May, 1962, and lived at Chair Hall Farm, The Green, West Ron, Bury St Edmunds. Wendyll had an older brother, Dwayne, and a younger brother, Sean and often joked about being born 'in the middle of the Woods. Their father, Barney, was the leading apprentice in Ireland before going to Bangalore in India, where the boys were brought up. Barney Woods rode over 1,500 winners there.
Wendyll's first winner was on Rock Queen in Calcutta before coming to England as an apprentice to Guy Harwood. Wendyll's first winner in Britain was on Harwood's old 'schoolmaster', Big Pal in 1982. He continued to ride in Britain until he left to ride in Hong Kong. Before returning to Britain two years later, he won the Queen Mother Memorial Cup for handler David Haynes.
Wendyll's first winner was on Rock Queen in Calcutta before coming to England as an apprentice to Guy Harwood. Wendyll's first winner in Britain was on Harwood's old 'schoolmaster', Big Pal in 1982. He continued to ride in Britain until he left to ride in Hong Kong. Before returning to Britain two years later, he won the Queen Mother Memorial Cup for handler David Haynes.
He said on his return: 'I expect to start riding again on June 24 if my licence is through by then. It will be hard for me because the season is in full flow, but I'm prepared to graft and I'm looking forward to it. Sir Mark Prescott has said he'll support me and hopefully, things will fall into place. I just need a couple of good rides to get me going.'
He said on his return: 'I expect to start riding again on June 24 if my licence is through by then. It will be hard for me because the season is in full flow, but I'm prepared to graft and I'm looking forward to it. Sir Mark Prescott has said he'll support me and hopefully, things will fall into place. I just need a couple of good rides to get me going.'
When brother Sean took out a training licence in Britain, Wendyll rode his first runner, Spanish Storm, to be third in the prodigious Cork & Orrey at Royal Ascot. He was also on board Expansionist and Cosmic Star when Sam saddled his first double at Thirsk.
When brother Sean took out a training licence in Britain, Wendyll rode his first runner, Spanish Storm, to be third in the prodigious Cork & Orrey at Royal Ascot. He was also on board Expansionist and Cosmic Star when Sam saddled his first double at Thirsk.
After 16 years in the saddle, Wendyll, aged 41, retired from racing on 29 December 2004.
After 16 years in the saddle, Wendyll, aged 41, retired from racing on 29 December 2004.
One of Wendyll's greatest friends was Brian Taylor, the Derby-winning jockey who was killed on the racetrack. Taylor's family gave Wendyll Brian's saddle, which he still has to this day.
One of Wendyll's greatest friends was Brian Taylor, the Derby-winning jockey who was killed on the racetrack. Taylor's family gave Wendyll Brian's saddle, which he still has to this day.
Brother Dwayne ran the family stud at Newmarket.
Brother Dwayne ran the family stud at Newmarket.
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