Richard Fox
1954 - 2011
1954 - 2011
Richard Daniel Stuart Fox was born in Cork, Ireland, on March 6, 1954, and, apprenticed to Seamus McGrath, rode his first winner at the Curragh on November 3, 1972 aboard Cusheen Loo.
Richard Daniel Stuart Fox was born in Cork, Ireland, on March 6, 1954, and, apprenticed to Seamus McGrath, rode his first winner at the Curragh on November 3, 1972 aboard Cusheen Loo.
He came to England, finding work at Frenchie Nicholson's stable at Cheltenham.
He came to England, finding work at Frenchie Nicholson's stable at Cheltenham.
He rode just two winners in 1973, 17 in 1974 and 53 winners in 1975.
He rode just two winners in 1973, 17 in 1974 and 53 winners in 1975.
Though never destined to be a top jockey, he nonetheless won his share, including the 1975 Lincoln (Southwark Star), Great Metropolitan twice (Skyline Drive,1979 & Heighlin, 1980), the 1975 William Hill Gold Cup (My Hussar), the 1976 Extel Handicap (Il Padrone) and the 1977 King George VI Stakes.
Though never destined to be a top jockey, he nonetheless won his share, including the 1975 Lincoln (Southwark Star), Great Metropolitan twice (Skyline Drive,1979 & Heighlin, 1980), the 1975 William Hill Gold Cup (My Hussar), the 1976 Extel Handicap (Il Padrone) and the 1977 King George VI Stakes.
During the winters Fox often rode abroad, in India, Kuwait, Dubai, Kenya, the West Indies and the United States. But his career came to a premature end in July 1992 in a race at Salisbury, where he was unshipped from Athar, breaking his femur.
During the winters Fox often rode abroad, in India, Kuwait, Dubai, Kenya, the West Indies and the United States. But his career came to a premature end in July 1992 in a race at Salisbury, where he was unshipped from Athar, breaking his femur.
He said afterwards: “When I went to make a move in the straight the saddle just slipped round in one movement and she scissor-kicked me on the way down and flipped me in the air. I know the brain doesn’t have an accurate memory for pain, but I can’t remember anything being as bad as that was. ”
He said afterwards: “When I went to make a move in the straight the saddle just slipped round in one movement and she scissor-kicked me on the way down and flipped me in the air. I know the brain doesn’t have an accurate memory for pain, but I can’t remember anything being as bad as that was. ”
Medical attendants administered gas and cut through his racing boots with a pair of shears: “I was just thinking, why the hell are they cutting my boots off? There’s a zip at the back, why don’t they use the zip?”
Medical attendants administered gas and cut through his racing boots with a pair of shears: “I was just thinking, why the hell are they cutting my boots off? There’s a zip at the back, why don’t they use the zip?”
Fox retired from racing in July 1992 and began accepting speaking engagements. Among his staple stories was a take on the occasion in Trinidad when he rode a winner called Devil Woman for Bob Marley: “As he came into the paddock he sneezed. I was high for nine days.”
Fox retired from racing in July 1992 and began accepting speaking engagements. Among his staple stories was a take on the occasion in Trinidad when he rode a winner called Devil Woman for Bob Marley: “As he came into the paddock he sneezed. I was high for nine days.”
Because of his size and red-hair, he also landed a small part in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets where he was a body double for Rupert Grint.
Because of his size and red-hair, he also landed a small part in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets where he was a body double for Rupert Grint.
Fox collapsed while shopping in Newmarket on 30 April, 2011, and was rushed to West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds where, on 28 June, he died without ever regaining consciousness.
Fox collapsed while shopping in Newmarket on 30 April, 2011, and was rushed to West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds where, on 28 June, he died without ever regaining consciousness.
He was survived by his second wife, Marie, whom he had married in 2007, and the two children from his first marriage, Francesca and Dominic. Dominic became a jockey.
He was survived by his second wife, Marie, whom he had married in 2007, and the two children from his first marriage, Francesca and Dominic. Dominic became a jockey.
He was a keen organic gardener and also enjoyed tennis and swimming.
He was a keen organic gardener and also enjoyed tennis and swimming.
Richard was a double for actor Rupert Grint in the Harry Potter films.
Richard was a double for actor Rupert Grint in the Harry Potter films.
His height was 5ft 1inch.
His height was 5ft 1inch.
Big winners
Big winners
1974: November Handicap – Gritti Palace
1974: November Handicap – Gritti Palace
1975: Lincoln Handicap – Southwark Star
1975: Lincoln Handicap – Southwark Star
1975: William Hill Gold Cup – My Hussar
1975: William Hill Gold Cup – My Hussar
1976: Bunbury Cup – Lottogift
1976: Bunbury Cup – Lottogift
1976: Extel Handicap – Il Padrone
1976: Extel Handicap – Il Padrone
1977: King George V Handicap – Celtic Pleasure
1977: King George V Handicap – Celtic Pleasure
1978: Zetland Gold Cup – Abercata
1978: Zetland Gold Cup – Abercata
1979: Great Metropolitan Handicap – Skyline Drive
1979: Great Metropolitan Handicap – Skyline Drive
1980: Great Metropolitan Handicap – Heighlin
1980: Great Metropolitan Handicap – Heighlin
1980: Ascot Stakes – Heighlin
1980: Ascot Stakes – Heighlin
1981: Cumberland Plate – Morality Stone
1981: Cumberland Plate – Morality Stone
1984: Zetland Gold Cup – Miramar Reef
1984: Zetland Gold Cup – Miramar Reef
1984: Goodwood Stakes – Ack Ack Regiment
1984: Goodwood Stakes – Ack Ack Regiment
1986: Cesarewitch Handicap – Orange Hill
1986: Cesarewitch Handicap – Orange Hill
1989: Northumberland Plate – Orpheus
1989: Northumberland Plate – Orpheus