William Fitzgerald
William Fitzgerald
William Fitzgerald
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
William Francis Fitzgerald was born in Ireland circa 1889 and was a National Hunt jockey in the early part of the 20th century. His career was disrupted by the First World War but he managed 14 winners and had a ride in the Grand National even before his first victory in England.
William Francis Fitzgerald was born in Ireland circa 1889 and was a National Hunt jockey in the early part of the 20th century. His career was disrupted by the First World War but he managed 14 winners and had a ride in the Grand National even before his first victory in England.
He rode 66-1 chance Hesperus Magnus in the 1911 Grand National. His connections were certainly aiming high with a horse that had only won one race, and that was at the Cambridge University meeting three years earlier. William had ridden him in the National Hunt Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, finishing down the field.
He rode 66-1 chance Hesperus Magnus in the 1911 Grand National. His connections were certainly aiming high with a horse that had only won one race, and that was at the Cambridge University meeting three years earlier. William had ridden him in the National Hunt Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, finishing down the field.
In the Grand National itself, only Jack Anthony and the one-eyed Glenside jumped round safely, and just two others completed the course after being remounted. Hesperus Magnus was not among them. However, he soon showed that he was not without talent, coming home an easy winner of the Tradesmen’s Chase at Wincanton on Easter Monday, April 17, followed by an even easier success in a match for the Crewkerne Open Hunters’ Chase just three days later, giving William his first two winners on British soil.
In the Grand National itself, only Jack Anthony and the one-eyed Glenside jumped round safely, and just two others completed the course after being remounted. Hesperus Magnus was not among them. However, he soon showed that he was not without talent, coming home an easy winner of the Tradesmen’s Chase at Wincanton on Easter Monday, April 17, followed by an even easier success in a match for the Crewkerne Open Hunters’ Chase just three days later, giving William his first two winners on British soil.
It was not until February 1914 that William had his next British success, but the win on Beaumanor in the River Selling Handicap Chase at Windsor that month was the first of five on the Richard Kemp-trained gelding during the year.
It was not until February 1914 that William had his next British success, but the win on Beaumanor in the River Selling Handicap Chase at Windsor that month was the first of five on the Richard Kemp-trained gelding during the year.
There were three wins in 1915 including an Easter Monday double at Market Rasen. It may be that he then returned to Ireland for the remainder of World War One.
There were three wins in 1915 including an Easter Monday double at Market Rasen. It may be that he then returned to Ireland for the remainder of World War One.
After the war had ended he worked for Epsom trainer Walter Nightingall and rode three more winners, the last of them a walkover on Templebar in the Ramsgate handicap Chase at Folkestone on September 10, 1923.
After the war had ended he worked for Epsom trainer Walter Nightingall and rode three more winners, the last of them a walkover on Templebar in the Ramsgate handicap Chase at Folkestone on September 10, 1923.
William trained at Epsom between 1922 and 1929.
William trained at Epsom between 1922 and 1929.
William Fitzgerald’s British National Hunt winners were, in chronological order:
William Fitzgerald’s British National Hunt winners were, in chronological order:
1. Hesperus Magnus, Wincanton, April 17, 1911
1. Hesperus Magnus, Wincanton, April 17, 1911
2. Hesperus Magnus, Crewkerne, April 20, 1911
2. Hesperus Magnus, Crewkerne, April 20, 1911
3. Beaumanor, Windsor, February 24, 1914
3. Beaumanor, Windsor, February 24, 1914
4. Beaumanor, Torquay, April 13, 1914
4. Beaumanor, Torquay, April 13, 1914
5. Beaumanor, Torquay, April 14, 1914
5. Beaumanor, Torquay, April 14, 1914
6. Beaumanor, Newton Abbot, May 6, 1914
6. Beaumanor, Newton Abbot, May 6, 1914
7. Darraidou, Wye, May 11, 1914
7. Darraidou, Wye, May 11, 1914
8. Beaumanor, Wolverhampton, September 29, 1914
8. Beaumanor, Wolverhampton, September 29, 1914
9. John Redmond, Plumpton, January 28, 1915
9. John Redmond, Plumpton, January 28, 1915
10. Bagpipes, Market Rasen, April 5, 1915
10. Bagpipes, Market Rasen, April 5, 1915
11. John Redmond, Market Rasen, April 5, 1915
11. John Redmond, Market Rasen, April 5, 1915
12. Prince Glen, Kempton Park, December 3, 1920
12. Prince Glen, Kempton Park, December 3, 1920
13. Loomian, Huntingdon, March 28, 1921
13. Loomian, Huntingdon, March 28, 1921
14. Templebar, Folkestone, September 23, 1923 (walkover)
14. Templebar, Folkestone, September 23, 1923 (walkover)