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After the 5th race on a poor card at Plumpton, money lost and rain pouring, the last race had more of a chance being one by a donkey. But whenever Mick Fitzgerald was on a horse, you where to get your moneys worth. Such a nice bloke aswell, i will miss him winning at the festival, and it would be great to see him stay in Racing!
Thanks Fitzy!
A good jockey, although he could have his moments.
I am glad he has decided to hang up his boots, as I said when he had his fall in the National he has taken some crunching falls in recent times and I would rather see him walk away relatively unscathed than have a "one fall too many" and end up in a wheelchair or even worse.
I look forward to seeing him in what will presumably be a broadcasting career and I wish him every success in the future.
I always thought it a touch ironic that he should receive his career-ending injuries falling from a horse whose name translates as "the friend", but there you go.
A fine rider and erudite speaker, I am sure he will be a terrific asset for whichever provider of racing coverage he throws his lot in with hereafter.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
Now that he’s retired, I can finally forgive him for getting Remittance Man all wrong at the third-last in the 1994 Champion Chase.
Despite his best efforts to groom a replacement over the years, I think Mick’s retirement will leave a big hole in Nicky Henderson’s operation, which is testament to how crucial Fitz was to that set-up. I wish Mick well and hope that he finds as much success in his next chosen career, as he did as a jockey.
Personally, I’d love to see him alongside Norman Williamson at the Beeb – and not only because it will bring Pitman and Scudamore closer to receiving their jotters.
Wise words, mate, as Smashie and Nicie would say.
Yes, where does Nicky Henderson go in terms of finding an adequate replacement first-choice jockey? I suppose Andrew Tinkler is as likely as any to be stepped up the pecking order, with Marcus Foley a more peripheral figure in recent years than he was previously and Felix de Giles possibly still likely to be placed where his claim will be of most advantage.
Another acquisition in the next few, and possibly a big name one at that, wouldn’t surprise me overly, though guessing whom it might be is another matter entirely.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
Sad to see him go but he is keen to do more work in broadcasting so quite likely to see him on the Beeb when the jumps season kicks off.
Apparently he turned down an offer to start training in Wales.
Yes, where does Nicky Henderson go in terms of finding an adequate replacement first-choice jockey?
It’s a toughie, Jeremy, as I think NJH looks for a certain type of jockey, and won’t necessarily go for one considered ‘top drawer’. He’s always struck me as a trainer that likes his jockeys closely involved in the yard, and for that reason, I think he’s likely to appoint someone he feels he can trust. Certainly, I can’t see him settling for a ‘best that’s available’ policy – not in the medium-to-long term anyway.
Graham Lee would, at first glance, seem a fairly obvious choice in terms of ‘top drawer’ talent, but I feel he may be too avant-garde as a person, for Nicky’s tastes (politest way I could put it
).Maybe someone like TJ O’Brien could be lured to Seven Barrows? He seems a straightforward enough lad, has ridden plenty for PJ Hobbs and others (so knows what it takes to ride decent horses for a big yards), and seems to be a grafter in the Fitzgerald mould.
Dunno.
For my money, I can’t see Tinkler or Foley being promoted to stable No.1 – not at this stage at least.
The right decision i think, in terms of time to retire, and also from a health point of view too.
A very good jockey and a nice individual too, always seems to have time to speak to people who want to speak to him with interviews and so on.
Have a good retirement Mick.
The right decision i think, in terms of time to retire, and also from a health point of view too.
A very good jockey and a nice individual too, always seems to have time to speak to people who want to speak to him with interviews and so on.
Have a good retirement Mick.
Totally agree – not just for interviews with the media either – a thoroughly nice man. Personally, I know he has said in the past he has a media type of job lined up, but I would love to see him set up as a trainer.
A welcome addition to racing presentation but a loss to the jockeying ranks. Micky Fitz was brilliant, question for me is who will replace him?
First of all, best wishes to Mick Fitz in future. A smashing jockey and professional from just about everything I saw of him.
His replacement at Henderson’s is an intriguing one, however. I think Grass is quite right about the type he’ll want (which made me surprised at the mere mention of G Lee, tbh!), but I similarly struggle to dream-up a ready-made replacement. Tom O’Brien would be a good choice provided he’s more articulate in real life than he is in front of a microphone, but I take it there would be little point in attempting to lure Barry Geraghty across the Irish Sea?
Nicky should strike a deal with Jonjo to share AP. Jonjo can have him when his stable is not affected by a virus, and Nicky can have him the other 10 months of the year!
Graham Lee is very happy where he is Grassy…
How about David England as a long shot? Or would Sam Thomas be tempted to move?Top bloke and a fine horseman of his time and his jumps at the last with Fondmort at Cheltenham aswell as the infamous "Sex is an anticlimax" will forever be etched on my memory when i think of Mick Fitzgerald.
Regarding the future i can imagine the BBC getting him for their National Hunt season and he could easily be the future replacement for Richard Pitman in years to come aswell as his work with ATR
Maybe Nicky Henderson will ask him to be an assistant down at Seven Barrows in time.
As for his replacement i think Marcus Foley deserves his chance to shine in the sun as he his a capable jockey.
Farewell MF, enjoy the new chapter in your life.
Was a brilliant jockey in his time, but about time he retired before he picked up any more major injuries.
sad way to end a super carear but heard the knee was just not holding up,can still see the fantastic ride he gave nipper(neptunecollonges) in the gold cup was super, so heres to a long happy retiremeant …x
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