Pat Eddery achieved his retirement-year dream of a Group One success when Reel Buddy sprang a major surprise in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

The 11-times champion jockey revealed last month that he would be quitting the saddle at the end of this season.

And the thoughts of many in the vast crowd on the Sussex Downs were that the moment Richard Hannon's charge crossed the line, an illustrious career might be over.

However, despite being roared into the winner's enclosure by his weighing-room colleagues and an army of admirers, Eddery confirmed the show is not yet over.

"It's great to ride a Group One winner in my final season," he said. "Some people may have felt I would retire if I rode another, but I certainly shan't be packing up at once.

"I enjoy it too much and I'll be going on for a bit longer, but overall the time has come to call it a day."

The 51-year-old had a wide smile on his face, despite cries of "well done granddad" from his fellow jockeys, and was happy to field the wisecracks.

"It's great that the jocks came out - really good," he said. "They're a great bunch of blokes and it was a nice gesture."

Reel Buddy, who finished third in the race last year, came from last to first to deny Statue Of Liberty by a head in a five-way photograph, with Norse Dancer, Zafeen and Moon Ballad, who finished in that order, also catching the eye of the judges.

This was Eddery's sixth Sussex Stakes success, equalling Lester Piggott's total, and he paid tribute to the 20-1 winner.

"That was just the icing on the cake - great," he said. "Reel Buddy gave me a lovely ride throughout the race. He picked up well for me, it was very exciting.

"They were going a pretty good gallop. Luckily enough they got to the furlong pole and they were all stopping, and my little fellow had something in reserve.

"He just kept running on and staying on, although he thought he had the race won because he went half a length up and eased down on me."

Eddery admitted he had doubts prior to the race about his chances of success.

"It is quite funny," he said. "Down at the start I knew I had ridden five Sussex Stakes winners and needed one more to equal Lester's total and I said I don't think it will happen today!

"I thought he (Reel Buddy) would be placed because he ran a great race last year. Obviously the pace and ground helped him. This big Goodwood meeting is always fantastic - one of the best."

No Refuge landed a gamble in workmanlike fashion as he captured the £80,000 Tote Gold Trophy. The 7-1 winner stayed on strongly under Seb Sanders to hold the persistent challenge of Santando by a length and three-quarters, with Trust Rule staying on late to take third.