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Pat Eddery added to British Champions Series Hall of Fame

Pat Eddery: a 14-time Classic winner in Britain
Pat Eddery: a 14-time Classic winner in BritainCredit: Edward Whitaker

Pat Eddery is the second jockey to be inducted into the Qipco British Champions Series Hall of Fame.

The legendary rider, who joins Lester Piggott, was champion jockey 11 times between 1974 and 1996 and he is the second-most winning rider in Britain with a tally of 4,633 winners.

He won the Derby with Grundy, Golden Fleece and Quest For Fame and added a further 11 British Classics to his haul. Eddery also played a leading role in the 1975 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, often described as the race of the century, when riding Grundy to beat Bustino.

Outside Britain he rode the great Dancing Brave to victory in the Arc in 1986 while partnering Breeders' Cup Turf winner Pebbles and Jupiter Island to victory in the Japan Cup.

Eddery died in November 2015 and his family will be presented with a medal to commemorate his inclusion to the Hall of Fame. The medal will also be on display at Ascot on Champions day in an exhibition on October 16.

His daughter, showjumper Natasha Eddery-Dunsdon, said: “He was, and always will be, one of the all-time greats. When I think about what he was like as a jockey, I think about his quiet concentration, his focus, the determination to win. That’s what set him apart, his desire to win and to beat his comrades.

“Entering the Hall of Fame would have made him so proud. I only wish he were still here to experience this special moment. It’s one myself and my family will cherish.”


Dunne disqualification reduced again

Daniel Dunne, partner of and representative for trainer Katy Brown, has had a six-month disqualification for a verbal attack on an IHRB official reduced to a one month on appeal.

Initially three months of the disqualification were suspended, but an appeals body on Tuesday suspended a further two months provided Dunne conducts himself in an appropriate manner towards all IHRB officials for the next two years.

Dunne, who was described as “hot headed” by Brown, accepted his behaviour was unacceptable and apologised. His disqualification will end on November 4, with the panel noting that he "understands what constitutes appropriate behaviour for a person who is an authorised representative and bound by the rules of racing".


Saudi Cup gains Group 1 status

The Saudi Cup has been upgraded to a Group 1 before its third running in February by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), which held its annual conference on Monday.

Saudi Arabia, which stages the $20 million race in Riyadh, was also promoted alongside Bahrain from a Part III to Part II racing nation, a global ranking system that helps to shape the racing calendar.

Five races on the Saudi Cup undercard – the Neom Turf Cup, Saudi Derby, 1351 Turf Sprint, Riyadh Dirt Sprint and Red Sea Turf – have gained Group 3 status, as has the Bahrain International Trophy.

Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal, chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA), said: "Saudi Arabia's advancement as a racing nation is a pivotal moment in our racing history and the halfway mark in our ambition to become a Part I racing jurisdiction."

The Bahrain International Trophy has also been upgraded to Group 3 status. The race, worth £500,000, featured top European runners Global Giant and Sovereign last year and is scheduled to be run for the third time on November 19.


Top Godolphin hopes head 37 for Vertem Futurity Trophy

Thirty seven horses are on course for the Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes following the latest confirmation stage on Tuesday. High-profile juveniles Native Trail, Angel Bleu, Coroebus and Bayside Boy all feature.

Aidan O'Brien, who is one win off equallng Henry Cecil's record of ten wins in the race, has ten runners in the race including Luxembourg, Aikhal and Glounthaune. McTigue is the sole representative for last year's winning trainer Jim Bolger.


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