Jockeys to join in Eddery's retirement party

Pat Eddery will be taken on by some of the world’s best riders when he finally retires from the saddle after the Air Mauritius/Beau Rivage International Jockeys’ Challenge in Mauritius on Sunday week.

The final list of jockeys for the prestigious event was released today, with plenty of familiar names out to spoil Eddery’s party.

Mick Kinane and Pat Smullen will represent Ireland while Darryll Holland jets in from Singapore to represent Britain.

French interest is provided by Dominique Boeuf, Davy Bonilla and Thierry Thulliez, with Kerrin McEvoy and Brett Prebble lining up for Australia. Jeff Lloyd will ride for South Africa and Mauritius’s leading local, Yashin Emandee, will also be on show.

Matt Chapman, the Mauritius Turf Club’s representative in Europe, said: “This is a very strong line-up but of course all eyes will be on Pat Eddery, whose retirement is causing plenty of interest not only in Mauritius but around the world.

“A special presentation has been arranged for Pat, whose whole family are going out to support him, and everyone is desperately keen for him to win a race.

“He’s been plenty of times before and never scored yet – now he’s running out of time.”

Holland has been in terrific form in Singapore, knocking in nearly a dozen winners already since he arrived just after the Melbourne Cup.

The rider said: “One of the reasons I decide to go to Mauritius was because I wanted to be involved on the day Pat hangs his boots up – it won’t be a day we’ll let him forget.

“I’ve not ridden in Mauritius before, but I’m told it’s a like a tight right-handed Chester and I love tracks like those as it’s always a battle of the bravest.”