Gerald Fitzgibbon
Gerald Fitzgibbon
Gerald Fitzgibbon
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Born in 1898, Gerald Fitzgibbon was an Irish jockey whose four wins in England during the 1920s included success at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting. He also had two rides in the Grand National, completing the course on the first occasion.
Born in 1898, Gerald Fitzgibbon was an Irish jockey whose four wins in England during the 1920s included success at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting. He also had two rides in the Grand National, completing the course on the first occasion.
His fortunes in England were very much linked with the Irish raider Ballinode, known as the ‘Sligo Mare’, for it was on her that he made his British debut, finishing unplaced in the Novices’ Chase at Newbury on November 29, 1922.
His fortunes in England were very much linked with the Irish raider Ballinode, known as the ‘Sligo Mare’, for it was on her that he made his British debut, finishing unplaced in the Novices’ Chase at Newbury on November 29, 1922.
His first English success was when he won the St Helens Handicap Chase on Ballinode at Haydock Park on December 8, 1923. The seven-year-old had already won five races in her native Ireland, Gerald having been in the saddle on one of those occasions, but she still had only 9st 13lb to carry, even with Gerald’s 3lb overweight, whereas the runner-up, Jimmu, ridden by ‘Tich’ Mason, had to shoulder 12st 6lb. The winning margin was six lengths.
His first English success was when he won the St Helens Handicap Chase on Ballinode at Haydock Park on December 8, 1923. The seven-year-old had already won five races in her native Ireland, Gerald having been in the saddle on one of those occasions, but she still had only 9st 13lb to carry, even with Gerald’s 3lb overweight, whereas the runner-up, Jimmu, ridden by ‘Tich’ Mason, had to shoulder 12st 6lb. The winning margin was six lengths.
It was the same winning margin when Ballinode took the Oteley Handicap Chase at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day. The hat-trick came back at Haydock on February 2, 1924, when Ballinode won the Newton Handicap Chase by four lengths.
It was the same winning margin when Ballinode took the Oteley Handicap Chase at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day. The hat-trick came back at Haydock on February 2, 1924, when Ballinode won the Newton Handicap Chase by four lengths.
After finishing second in the National Hunt Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on March 13, Ballinode and Gerald attempted to go one better in the Grand National 15 days later. Though never really in contention, they did at least manage to complete the course, finishing eighth behind Bob Trudgill on Master Robert.
After finishing second in the National Hunt Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on March 13, Ballinode and Gerald attempted to go one better in the Grand National 15 days later. Though never really in contention, they did at least manage to complete the course, finishing eighth behind Bob Trudgill on Master Robert.
On March 11, 1925, Gerald had his fourth and final English victory when the ten-year-old Irish-trained mare Louvima won the Swindon Selling Chase, the opening race on the second day of Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting, scoring by three-quarters of a lengths, having finished eighth on her in the Stayers’ Selling Hurdle the day before.
On March 11, 1925, Gerald had his fourth and final English victory when the ten-year-old Irish-trained mare Louvima won the Swindon Selling Chase, the opening race on the second day of Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting, scoring by three-quarters of a lengths, having finished eighth on her in the Stayers’ Selling Hurdle the day before.
Two races after Louvima’s success, Ballinode won a poor-quality, four-runner Cheltenham Gold Cup, but it was Ted Leader who had the mount this time. On March 27, Gerald was reunited with Ballinode, who started 10-1 co-second favourite for the Grand National. After taking the lead over Valentine’s first time, Ballinode fell at the 14th fence. That was Gerald‘s last ride in England.
Two races after Louvima’s success, Ballinode won a poor-quality, four-runner Cheltenham Gold Cup, but it was Ted Leader who had the mount this time. On March 27, Gerald was reunited with Ballinode, who started 10-1 co-second favourite for the Grand National. After taking the lead over Valentine’s first time, Ballinode fell at the 14th fence. That was Gerald‘s last ride in England.
Gerald Fitzgibbon's first win was on Ballinode at Haydock Park on December 8, 1923
Gerald Fitzgibbon's first win was on Ballinode at Haydock Park on December 8, 1923