Eddery intends to join training ranks

Pat Eddery could become a surprise addition to the training ranks “in a year’s time”.

The 11-time champion jockey, who retires from the saddle after riding in Mauritius on Sunday, told the Daily Star that he is keen to take out a trainer’s licence.

He said: “The buzz is still there and now I want to be a trainer.”

Eddery is retiring after 37 years in the saddle to manage an owners’ syndicate, which remains his intention.

Explaining his decision, he said: “My wife Carolyn has been breaking in the yearlings I have bought but she has not been too well over the last few weeks and that has meant she could not spend too much time doing things.

“So I have got involved and it has really got me going.

“I love working with horses and the whole feeling of being with them close up is something that is difficult to explain.

“I will be doing everything I can to make sure the syndication business (Pat Eddery Racing) works but I want to take out a trainer’s licence and I can see that happening in a year’s time.

“I have worked with some of the best trainers in the business and you can’t help but pick things up.

“I have been first past the post three times in the Derby and the thrill of each occasion will live with me till the day I die.

“The thought of repeating that success in such a prestigious race as a trainer really is just something else.”