Racing joins together to pay its respects to Classic-winning jockey Eric Eldin

There was standing room only for the funeral of Classic-winning jockey and former trainer Eric Eldin at West Suffolk Crematorium in Bury St Edmunds on Tuesday.

Eldin, whose biggest day in the saddle came when he rode Front Row to victory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas in 1968 and later enjoyed great success as a trainer, died at his home in Newmarket on July 4 aged 88.

Eldin, who rode 879 winners domestically and more than 300 abroad, leaves a family steeped in racing as his son-in-law is former jockey Allan Mackay, who also rode for him, and his two grandsons are current jockey Nicky Mackay and former jockey Jamie.

Eric Eldin: the former jockey and trainer died in July aged 88

Eldin also owned horses and became one of the few people to have ridden, trained and owned a winner at Royal Ascot when Grand Unit won the Bessborough Handicap in 1983.

The service was conducted by the Reverend Jeremy Lind, who is also a BHA clerk of the scales in the eastern region.

Among more than 100 in attendance were former jockeys Bruce Raymond, Philip Robinson, Willie Ryan, Taffy Thomas, Paul Tulk and current rider Jimmy Quinn.

From the training ranks were Alan Bailey, Michael Wigham and Bill O’Gorman and his daughter Emma. From the bloodstock world, Darley Stud manager Sam Bullard also paid his respects.

The order of service for the funeral of Eric Eldin in Bury St Edmunds

Nicky Mackay gave a tribute in which he said: "Eric was always the first person I'd call after I'd had a ride as I knew he would have ridden it from the sofa. I hope I made him as proud as he made us all of those years."

There was a reception afterwards at the Bedford Lodge Hotel.

Donations to the Injured Jockeys Fund c/o Southgate of Newmarket Funeral Directors.

Read more:

Tributes paid to Guineas-winning jockey Eric Eldin following death at age of 88

Eric Eldin: the jockey-turned trainer who rode 1,200 winners around the globe

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