Job Description:   Head Lad 
Date of Birth: 10^th November 1962 

Eddie was born in Country Wexford, Ireland.  When he was 15 years old he left school and went to work for Jim Bolger for three years.  In those three years he rode on the flat and over jumps but unfortunately from his 20 rides (approximately) he did not have much success.  The following two years were spent under the watchful eye of Arthur Moore during which time he rode his first winner - The Ellier at Navan.  Eddie then decided to try his luck in England and came across the water with Terry Casey who went to train for John Upson.  Eddie lost his claim and caught the eye of Michael Oliver who retained Eddie to be his jockey and he got the rides aboard Von Trappe and West Tip.  Following trouble with his weight Eddie spent a short spell working as a builder in London and tried to save enough money to go to Australia. 

While in Australia Eddie worked for Bart Cummings and Colin Hayes, which included riding, work at local tracks.  After a year in 'Oz' he returned to England and came to work as an assistant at Pond House through a great friend, Peter Scudamore.  Eddie spent two years as assistant and looked after horses, which included Chatam, Rolling Ball, Aquilifer and Carvill's Hill. 

Eddie built a very special relationship with Carvill's Hill and their work together was what made the horse so successful.  He used to ride him everyday and he spent many hours long reining, lunging and schooling him at home.  Every time Carvill's Hill ran Eddie was right beside him - they travelled everywhere together.  Not only did Eddie have a special relationship with the horse but also another relationship was soon to blossom with Carvill's Hills lass, Sarah Hancock.  Sarah and Eddie married in 1995 and they now have three sons, Kieren, Thomas and Finn. 

At the end of the 1992 season Eddie moved to Birmingham to train for Pat Kelly.  During two seasons he trained five winners from about a dozen horses.  Eddie then spent a brief period as assistant trainer to John Upson in Northamptonshire.  It was not long before the opportunity of Head Lad at Sunnyside arose for the Pipe team and Eddie was keen to return; so once again Eddie and Sarah returned to Somerset.  Eddie spent eight seasons as Sunnyside Head Lad and each year the number of winners increased.  He had some classy inmates under his care, which included Unsinkable Boxer, Strong Tel, Dark Stranger and The French Furze.  Eddie has since been promoted and is 'The Head Lad' at Pond House which some people could find daunting, but Eddie takes it all in his stride.  Most days, especially when the weather is dry, Eddie can be seen on the gallops aboard his trusty stead - Our Vic!