John Fitzgerald
1952 - 2015
1952 - 2015
John Fitzgerald was born on March 3, 1952. He was born in Dublin and grew up in Kilkea Castle in County Kildare, the family seat, before moving to Oxfordshire at the age of eight. He was dyslexic and educated at Millfield School, where he played golf and rugby.
John Fitzgerald was born on March 3, 1952. He was born in Dublin and grew up in Kilkea Castle in County Kildare, the family seat, before moving to Oxfordshire at the age of eight. He was dyslexic and educated at Millfield School, where he played golf and rugby.
He spent ten years as an unsuccessful amateur jockey, riding just two winners from just over one hundred rides.
He spent ten years as an unsuccessful amateur jockey, riding just two winners from just over one hundred rides.
He then became assistant trainer to Bruce Hobbs and once gave the teenage Richard Dunwoody, then on work experience at Hobbs's yard, advice saying: 'You do not have the makings of a jockey.'
He then became assistant trainer to Bruce Hobbs and once gave the teenage Richard Dunwoody, then on work experience at Hobbs's yard, advice saying: 'You do not have the makings of a jockey.'
In 1985, John set up as trainer in Albert House yard at Newmarket with eleven horses. The following year, the yearling Sizzling Melody won the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster, but the recession of the late 1980s resulted in him leaving Newmarket in 1991 to work in Berlin.
In 1985, John set up as trainer in Albert House yard at Newmarket with eleven horses. The following year, the yearling Sizzling Melody won the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster, but the recession of the late 1980s resulted in him leaving Newmarket in 1991 to work in Berlin.
"John bought a yard in Newmarket at just the wrong time," said his friend Sir Mark Prescott. "He always appeared older than he was and there was a great sadness that his family had lost their land in Ireland. He could be a bit waspish but he was amusing, never complained, was knowledgeable and well qualified as a racing administrator."
"John bought a yard in Newmarket at just the wrong time," said his friend Sir Mark Prescott. "He always appeared older than he was and there was a great sadness that his family had lost their land in Ireland. He could be a bit waspish but he was amusing, never complained, was knowledgeable and well qualified as a racing administrator."
In Dubai, John oversaw the establishment of a turf track alongside the dirt track at Nad al Sheba, now known as Meydan racecourse. Constructed on what had been arid desert traversed by Bedouin nomads and their camels, its development into a course — with state-of-the-art grandstands that attracted royalty and racegoers from all over the world — was initiated by John.
In Dubai, John oversaw the establishment of a turf track alongside the dirt track at Nad al Sheba, now known as Meydan racecourse. Constructed on what had been arid desert traversed by Bedouin nomads and their camels, its development into a course — with state-of-the-art grandstands that attracted royalty and racegoers from all over the world — was initiated by John.
In 1996, he helped to inaugurate the Dubai World Cup, which was one of the happiest periods of his life.
In 1996, he helped to inaugurate the Dubai World Cup, which was one of the happiest periods of his life.
John concluded his career by returning to Newmarket and working, up until his death, as racing manager for Kirsten Rausing at Lanwades stud.
John concluded his career by returning to Newmarket and working, up until his death, as racing manager for Kirsten Rausing at Lanwades stud.
"John had been a friend of mine ever since we both arrived in Newmarket well over 30 years ago," she said. "He was a quiet but determined man, who bore life's unjust tribulations with stoical calm and endurance."
"John had been a friend of mine ever since we both arrived in Newmarket well over 30 years ago," she said. "He was a quiet but determined man, who bore life's unjust tribulations with stoical calm and endurance."
John died on August 3, 2015, aged 63. His wife, whom he had married in 1982, left him amid considerable publicity to live with Piggott in 2012. She and John divorced but she returned to care for him after he was diagnosed with stomach cancer.
John died on August 3, 2015, aged 63. His wife, whom he had married in 1982, left him amid considerable publicity to live with Piggott in 2012. She and John divorced but she returned to care for him after he was diagnosed with stomach cancer.