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Australia is mourning the passing on Saturday morning (28 January 2017) of former legendary jockey, Mr Edgar Britt OAM, at the age of 103.

“Edgar Britt was one of Australia’s treasures,” said Racing NSW’s Chief Executive, Mr Peter V’landys AM. “He was a legend not just in horse racing but in the greater community.

“Edgar had an outstanding record in the saddle which speaks for itself and was highly respected – you would not meet a nicer and more humble man. Our sincere condolences go out to Edgar’s family and friends; he will be missed greatly.”

Edgar Britt is one of 39 jockeys inducted into the Australian Racing Museum’s Hall of Fame and during a distinguished career, won over 2000 races in four continents, competing against champion jockeys.

A local product from Five Dock, Edgar rode his first winner at Canterbury in 1930 at the age of 16, and first left our shores in 1933 bound for the United States with trainer Mick Polson and two horses, Winooka and Trevallion; the former winning the Baltimore Handicap.

Edgar rode successfully in California, Seattle and Baltimore before returning to Sydney a couple of years later and among his many victories was the 1934 Sydney Cup on Broad Arrow.

In 1935 Edgar ventured to India where by then, he had become an accomplished rider, partnering horses for the various Maharajas. Edgar remained in India for a decade, taking out the jockeys’ premiership on eight occasions before heading to England to ride for the Maharajah of Boroda.

Three years after arriving in England, Edgar was selected as Royal jockey for King George VI and again the big race wins flowed, with Edgar twice winning the St Leger Oaks, 1000 Guineas and 2000 Guineas, as well as an Irish Derby.

Edgar put away his saddle in 1959 and returned to Australia, and in 2004 was awarded an Order of Australia medal for his service to horse racing as a jockey, commentator and journalist.

On turning 100 years of age in October 2013, Edgar was honored with a lunch at Royal Randwick attended by a host of former jockeys including Darren Beadman, Ron Quinton, Ray Selkrig, Cliff Clare, Maurice Logue and Bill Camer, along with dignitaries of the Australian turf.

FUNERAL DETAILS: A funeral service for the late Mr Edgar Britt will be held at 1pm on Friday, 3 February 2017 at Southport Church of Christ, cnr of Olsen Ave & Griffith Way, Southport, Qld.