Jockey nephew of riding great Pat Eddery hit with six-month ban for cocaine use

26 October 2023 , 15:50

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George Eddery, the nephew of the late Pat Eddery, admitted taking cocaine (Image: Getty Images)

The nephew of one of the most famous jockeys in racing history has been banned for six months after taking cocaine.

George Eddery, 24, is a member of the Eddery dynasty, the son of Newmarket trainer Robert Eddery, whose brother was the late Pat Eddery.

Pat Eddery, who died in 2015, was champion jockey 11 times, won the Derby on three occasions and whose career total of 4,362 victories ranks him second on the all-time list of winningest jockeys in British racing.

George Eddery, an apprentice jockey who has ridden 11 winners, appeared before the BHA’s independent disciplinary panel after traces of a metabolite of cocaine were found in a urine sample he gave after riding at Lingfield in June.

He told investigators he had used cocaine after buying it on a night out in Newmarket.

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He denied having any issues with drugs or drink and said the excessive amount of alcohol consumed during the evening had “clouded his judgement” resulting in him making a “very, very stupid mistake”.

Pat Eddery: was champion jockey 11 times (GETTY)

The panel heard Eddery was remorseful for his actions, accepting responsibility for the consequences and confirmed he had received support from his racing connections.

Eddery, who has not ridden since June, could be back in action in the new year with the panel directing that the interim suspension period should be credited towards the penalty.

He gave assurances that there would be no similar breaches of this nature, a commitment which the panel said would earn him "the privilege of being re-licensed at the end of his penalty period".

Jon Lees