George looking to make his mark
Eddery is a name that will forever remain in racing folklore.
The late Pat Eddery is the best known of the dynasty – an 11-time Champion Jockey who is the United Kingdom’s second winning-most jockey of all time with 4,633 victories to his name.
But now there is another member of the family – Newmarket-based George Eddery – who is preparing to make his first steps in the jockey world.
After enrolling at the British Racing School aged 14, George has gone on to have spells working in the yards of Marco Botti and now David Elsworth.
The latter has played a leading role in convincing the 19-year-old to take out his Amateur Jockeys’ licence, with further encouragement from his father – trainer Robert, based at Heyward Place Stables on Hamilton Road.
George had planned to make his debut today at Doncaster, but a delay in receiving the licence dashed those hopes.
Nevertheless, with his first outing now likely to come at some stage next month, George is excited to get the journey under way.
“Racing is a big part of my life and I have learned a lot so far,” he said.
“When I joined up with Mr Elsworth earlier this year I never had any intention of going for my licence but he has been very encouraging and so has dad.
“Dad is very keen for me to get involved and hopefully he has a horse or two for me to ride to get started.
“It is a big name, particularly Pat. I think it helps rather than adds pressure.
“He won every race you can think of, a lot of them multiple times and that can only inspire me.”
Whether this is to be a long-term venture for the teenager, only time will tell.
But for now, George is content to see how it plays out.
“It is very much a case of seeing how it goes for the next six months or so,” he added.
“There are a lot of good people behind me supporting so hopefully I can do well for them.
“It is going to be amateur racing for the time being, I am too heavy and too tall to be an apprentice.
“We will see how it goes. Riding winners obviously helps and that is the target.”