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racing news/

Racing world hails one of the greats
07/10/04

Jimmy FitzGerald, trainer of 1985 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Forgive'N Forget, died on Wednesday at the age of 69.

Irish-born FitzGerald passed away in hospital following a long illness. Having enjoyed a successful career as a jump jockey, FitzGerald sent out a host of big-race winners from his Malton base. After 33 years with a licence and about 1,200 winners, he handed over the reins of his Norton Grand stables to his son Tim at the end of February 2003.

Mark Dwyer, FitzGerald's former stable jockey over jumps, said: "We had many good times. Forgive'N Forget would obviously be one of the highlights but there were many others, including Galway Blaze winning the Hennessy and Androma the Scottish National."

" Jimmy was a good all-round horseman and there was no-one better at getting a horse ready for the big day. It's very sad and I feel sorry for his family."

FitzGerald was instrumental in guiding the fledgling career of current Flat champion jockey Kieren Fallon when he came over from his native Ireland.

" He was a great friend and I admired him a lot. The game will not seem the same without him," the rider said. "He was like a father figure to me and his death is a great shock to racing as a whole.

" He was a great hero to me. He has been ill for some time and I had been to see him recently after I won the Yorkshire Oaks on Quiff.

" He was always there for me, especially when I went off the rails a bit, and I wouldn't be where I am today but for him."