Former riding great John Francome insists help is available for all jockeys, past and present, if they need it in the wake of the death of Pat Eddery.
Speaking in his role as president of the Injured Jockeys Fund, Francome said he went to see Eddery recently after hearing of his troubles.
The champion jockey had been battling alcoholism and his daughter Natasha wrote an emotional tribute on Wednesday revealing she had not seen him for five years.
âItâs been five years since I last saw him, which was an extremely hard decision I undertook. We stayed in touch and spoke on the phone, I never missed a birthday, Christmas or Fatherâs Day and not a day went by when I didnât think about him,â she said.
âThe last time I saw him face to face was when I brought him home from rehab and he drank straight away. I turned to him and said âdad if you choose to drink over health and family, I canât be part of that life for youâ. Sadly his addiction was too strong and he couldnât overcome it.
âMy sister and his close friends, including Derrick Smith and John Magnier, did all we could to help him battle his illness, but we lost in the end.â
Francome, though, is happy with the services on offer via his organisation and the Professional Jockeys Association.
âIf any jockey needs help there is plenty of assistance out there,â Francome said.
âThereâs as much help as they want, but theyâve got to want help in the first place.
âThereâs only so much you can do. Willie (Carson) offered him all sorts of help, but he just wouldnât accept it. Some people canât be helped.
âAs regarding other cases, it depends entirely on the individual. Pat didnât start drinking when he stopped riding, heâd always enjoyed a drink, not to control his weight or anything, just socially. Itâs very sad, 63 is no age at all.
âEverything is in place for those who need it, just a phone call away.â
