Derek Fox
'Not everyone can be champion jockey. That's just the nature of it. But the Grand National just gives a standard jockey like myself a chance to shine on the big day.'
'Not everyone can be champion jockey. That's just the nature of it. But the Grand National just gives a standard jockey like myself a chance to shine on the big day.'
Derek Fox speaking after riding One For Arthur to victory in the big race.
Derek Fox speaking after riding One For Arthur to victory in the big race.
It was the 717th ride of his career and his 75th win, yet for the Sligo-born 24-year-old jockey Derek Fox, it nearly didn't happen.
It was the 717th ride of his career and his 75th win, yet for the Sligo-born 24-year-old jockey Derek Fox, it nearly didn't happen.
A month earlier, on March 9, in a handicap chase at Carlisle, Derek and his mount Ryalux crashed out at the very first fence, leaving the unfortunate rider with a broken left wrist and broken right collar bone.
A month earlier, on March 9, in a handicap chase at Carlisle, Derek and his mount Ryalux crashed out at the very first fence, leaving the unfortunate rider with a broken left wrist and broken right collar bone.
Writhing on the Carlisle turf, Aintree must have seemed a million miles away.
Writhing on the Carlisle turf, Aintree must have seemed a million miles away.
As Derek headed to Jack Berry House, one thought dominated his mind - he had to get fit enough to partner One For Arthur in the National.
As Derek headed to Jack Berry House, one thought dominated his mind - he had to get fit enough to partner One For Arthur in the National.
And, with the help of the team who worked there, he made it.
And, with the help of the team who worked there, he made it.
Indeed, it was to Carlisle, the scene of his fall, that he returned on Wednesday, 5 April, for his first two rides back from injury.
Indeed, it was to Carlisle, the scene of his fall, that he returned on Wednesday, 5 April, for his first two rides back from injury.
On Friday, the day before the National, Derek took another heavy fall in the Topham Trophy, but got to his feet unscathed.
On Friday, the day before the National, Derek took another heavy fall in the Topham Trophy, but got to his feet unscathed.
He was ready to partner One For Arthur.
He was ready to partner One For Arthur.
Born on May 14, 1992, Derek had followed the typical aspiring jockey's path: he had started off showjumping and pony racing when an eight-year-old. His Uncle Mark McNiff, now a trainer, was riding at the time; young Derek used to ride out in the mornings before going to school.
Born on May 14, 1992, Derek had followed the typical aspiring jockey's path: he had started off showjumping and pony racing when an eight-year-old. His Uncle Mark McNiff, now a trainer, was riding at the time; young Derek used to ride out in the mornings before going to school.
He continued on the pony racing circuit until he was sixteen then, after leaving school, he took out an amateur licence and started riding in point-to-points.
He continued on the pony racing circuit until he was sixteen then, after leaving school, he took out an amateur licence and started riding in point-to-points.
Derek rode for his uncle, who had started to train, and for Noel Kelly.
Derek rode for his uncle, who had started to train, and for Noel Kelly.
He then spent a summer with John Carr before a year with Charles Byrnes, during which time, at the age of 18, he turned conditional.
He then spent a summer with John Carr before a year with Charles Byrnes, during which time, at the age of 18, he turned conditional.
In March 2013, for Noel Kelly, Derek rode his biggest winner to date when landing the Grade 3 Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Limerick on Charlie's Vic.
In March 2013, for Noel Kelly, Derek rode his biggest winner to date when landing the Grade 3 Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Limerick on Charlie's Vic.
Derek rode the Old Vic mare in all of her 14 races, winning on her four times.
Derek rode the Old Vic mare in all of her 14 races, winning on her four times.
The ability he displayed on Charlie's Vic caught the eye of Arlary trainer Lucinda Russell.
The ability he displayed on Charlie's Vic caught the eye of Arlary trainer Lucinda Russell.
Derek's cousin, Stephen Kelly, worked for Lucinda and, in October 2013, with just 27 winners behind him, Derek joined her stable.
Derek's cousin, Stephen Kelly, worked for Lucinda and, in October 2013, with just 27 winners behind him, Derek joined her stable.
He rode his first winner for her, The Friary, at Hexham in November 2013: that season he rode a total of twelve winners.
He rode his first winner for her, The Friary, at Hexham in November 2013: that season he rode a total of twelve winners.
When Lucinda's stable jockey, Peter Buchanan, retired at the end of last season, she had no hesitation in promoting Derek to the number one spot.
When Lucinda's stable jockey, Peter Buchanan, retired at the end of last season, she had no hesitation in promoting Derek to the number one spot.
This season, before his spectacular Grand National triumph, Derek had ridden 16 winners, 11 of them for Lucinda.
This season, before his spectacular Grand National triumph, Derek had ridden 16 winners, 11 of them for Lucinda.
In October 2016, at Kelso, Derek rode One For Arthur in a race for the first time. They won. Last December, he rode him again, this time in the Becher Chase over the Grand National fences. They finished fifth.
In October 2016, at Kelso, Derek rode One For Arthur in a race for the first time. They won. Last December, he rode him again, this time in the Becher Chase over the Grand National fences. They finished fifth.
He then rode him to victory once again, this time in the Classic Chase at Warwick in December.
He then rode him to victory once again, this time in the Classic Chase at Warwick in December.
Flamed-haired Lucinda and former champion jockey Peter Scudamore - her partner of some ten years - won respect for their decision to stick by their young jockey.
Flamed-haired Lucinda and former champion jockey Peter Scudamore - her partner of some ten years - won respect for their decision to stick by their young jockey.
It was not the first time they had stuck by a young rider.
It was not the first time they had stuck by a young rider.
22-year-old Campbell Gillies won the 2012 Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham for them on Brindisi Breeze, but this ended in tragedy.
22-year-old Campbell Gillies won the 2012 Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham for them on Brindisi Breeze, but this ended in tragedy.
Within four months, both horse and rider were dead, Brindisi Breeze killed by a lorry, the jockey in a swimming pool accident on holiday.
Within four months, both horse and rider were dead, Brindisi Breeze killed by a lorry, the jockey in a swimming pool accident on holiday.
On January 17, 2015, Derek was pulled over near his home for driving in an erratic manner. He was almost three times over the legal alcohol limit. He was fined £1,000 and banned from driving for 20 months.
On January 17, 2015, Derek was pulled over near his home for driving in an erratic manner. He was almost three times over the legal alcohol limit. He was fined £1,000 and banned from driving for 20 months.