Jim Fox
Very much a spear-carrier, Jim Fox of The Stables, Stockbridge, Hants., was retained by V. Cross and G. Balding.
Very much a spear-carrier, Jim Fox of The Stables, Stockbridge, Hants., was retained by V. Cross and G. Balding.
Born in Waterford, Southern Ireland, on December 8, 1942, Jim rode 11 winners in the 1972-73 season, his best.
Born in Waterford, Southern Ireland, on December 8, 1942, Jim rode 11 winners in the 1972-73 season, his best.
He rode his first winner, Hamet, on November 19, 1966, at Worcester: his last winner came in 1977.
He rode his first winner, Hamet, on November 19, 1966, at Worcester: his last winner came in 1977.
Jimmy Fox was a jump jockey for more than a decade until, at the age of 32, the Jockey Club doctors refused to renew his licence. He was shattered by the refusal.
Jimmy Fox was a jump jockey for more than a decade until, at the age of 32, the Jockey Club doctors refused to renew his licence. He was shattered by the refusal.
Jimmy was fiercely proud of his successes which included winning both the Hennessy and the Mackeson on the same horse, Red Candle. A painting of him on Red Candle hangs above the fireplace in the house where he lives with his wife Trisha and their two children.
Jimmy was fiercely proud of his successes which included winning both the Hennessy and the Mackeson on the same horse, Red Candle. A painting of him on Red Candle hangs above the fireplace in the house where he lives with his wife Trisha and their two children.
Jimmy's list of injuries is frightening. A fractured skull, partial blindness in the right eye and concussion on at least 25 occasions.
Jimmy's list of injuries is frightening. A fractured skull, partial blindness in the right eye and concussion on at least 25 occasions.
He said; 'Compared to some jockeys, I've been lucky with injuries. I have seen blokes with half their head kicked away.'
He said; 'Compared to some jockeys, I've been lucky with injuries. I have seen blokes with half their head kicked away.'
Like many other jockeys, Jimmy Fox began in showjumping: his employer at the time, Dennis Quigley, actively discouraged him from riding in point-to-points because he was afraid of losing Jimmy to racing.
Like many other jockeys, Jimmy Fox began in showjumping: his employer at the time, Dennis Quigley, actively discouraged him from riding in point-to-points because he was afraid of losing Jimmy to racing.
In 1981, Jimmy turned to training, setting up in Wiltshire right next door to trainer Richard Hannon.
In 1981, Jimmy turned to training, setting up in Wiltshire right next door to trainer Richard Hannon.
In April 2010, he was asked to train the two-year-old filly, Fairling. Everyone who rode her came back with the same report; 'The laziest I've ever ridden.'
In April 2010, he was asked to train the two-year-old filly, Fairling. Everyone who rode her came back with the same report; 'The laziest I've ever ridden.'
The problem was solved one morning when Jimmy entered her box. Standing beside the filly was a handsome colt foal.
The problem was solved one morning when Jimmy entered her box. Standing beside the filly was a handsome colt foal.
DNA was required to find out who was the daddy!
DNA was required to find out who was the daddy!
When away from the saddle, he enjoyed swimming, fishing, shooting & hunting.
When away from the saddle, he enjoyed swimming, fishing, shooting & hunting.
Jimmy Fox
Jimmy Fox
Big winners:
Big winners:
1972: Mackeson Gold Cup – Red Candle
1972: Mackeson Gold Cup – Red Candle
1973: Hennessy Gold Cup – Red Candle
1973: Hennessy Gold Cup – Red Candle
1976: Heinz Novices’ Chase – Grangewood Girl
1976: Heinz Novices’ Chase – Grangewood Girl
1977: Blue Circle Cement Handicap Chase – Grangewood Girl
1977: Blue Circle Cement Handicap Chase – Grangewood Girl