Paul Fitzsimons
Paul originally came from Ireland where, aged 17, he had been at the racing school at the Curragh.
Paul originally came from Ireland where, aged 17, he had been at the racing school at the Curragh.
He joined the stables of Reg Akehurst: initially, things went well - he rode a lot of winners for Milton Bradley and has begun to enjoy further success riding for Lynda & Jack Ramsden when he had an accident at the breeze-up sales: a horse flipped over with him on the road. Paul's femur was broken and his career somehow never fully kicked off again.
He joined the stables of Reg Akehurst: initially, things went well - he rode a lot of winners for Milton Bradley and has begun to enjoy further success riding for Lynda & Jack Ramsden when he had an accident at the breeze-up sales: a horse flipped over with him on the road. Paul's femur was broken and his career somehow never fully kicked off again.
Then he was reluctantly drawn into an inquiry after riding It's A Man's World at Lingfield in February 2009 in the colours of Darren May.
Then he was reluctantly drawn into an inquiry after riding It's A Man's World at Lingfield in February 2009 in the colours of Darren May.
Paul was completely cleared of any wrongdoing - as was Darren May: Paul, in fact, was praised by the panel for being so forthcoming with his evidence.
Paul was completely cleared of any wrongdoing - as was Darren May: Paul, in fact, was praised by the panel for being so forthcoming with his evidence.
Two other jockeys involved - Paul Doe and Greg Fairley - did not attend the hearing because they could not afford legal representation; they were both banned for 12 years.
Two other jockeys involved - Paul Doe and Greg Fairley - did not attend the hearing because they could not afford legal representation; they were both banned for 12 years.
Paul found himself facing legal costs of over £50,000.
Paul found himself facing legal costs of over £50,000.
Then he faced real disaster. His long term girlfriend, Julia Tooth, finally lost a brave fight against cancer. Paul then hung up his boots and, on a temporary licence, he took over the training at Saxon Gate at Lambourn at which Lynda and her father had been closely associated. Paul is now in the process of rebuilding his career.
Then he faced real disaster. His long term girlfriend, Julia Tooth, finally lost a brave fight against cancer. Paul then hung up his boots and, on a temporary licence, he took over the training at Saxon Gate at Lambourn at which Lynda and her father had been closely associated. Paul is now in the process of rebuilding his career.
Having ridden nearly 200 winners on the Flat in Britain, Paul now lives in Sweden. His main business involves a horse supplement product called Immun-Ocean and Equissage (horse therapy). In 2018 he took out a jockey's licence there and has had a few rides but is not planning a full-scale comeback
Having ridden nearly 200 winners on the Flat in Britain, Paul now lives in Sweden. His main business involves a horse supplement product called Immun-Ocean and Equissage (horse therapy). In 2018 he took out a jockey's licence there and has had a few rides but is not planning a full-scale comeback