Ex-trainer FitzGerald dies

Born: Horse and Jockey, Tipperary 1935 Jockey: Rode 123 winners Trainer: +1,200 winners Major wins - 1984, 1985 Androma Scot Grand National; 1985 Forgive 'N Forget Cheltenham Gold Cup

Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Jimmy FitzGerald has died aged 69 after a long illness.

FitzGerald landed the blue riband prize of steeplechasing with Forgive'N Forget in 1985 and saddled over 1,200 winners from 1969 until he retired in 2003.

The Irishman sent out winners over jumps and on the Flat from his base in Malton, Yorkshire.

He started his racing career as a jump jockey, before fracturing his skull in a career-ending fall.

Mark Dwyer, who rode Forgive'N Forget to victory at Cheltenham, paid tribute to FitzGerald.

"We had many good times. Forgive'N Forget would obviously be one of the highlights but there were many others, including Galway Blaze winning the Hennessy and Androma the Scottish National," he said.

"Jimmy was a good all-round horseman and there was no-one better at getting a horse ready for the big day.

"It's very sad and I feel sorry for his family."

Forgive'N Forget was a heavily-backed 5-2 favourite for the big race in 1985, and the eight-year-old just got the better of Righthand Man.

FitzGerald was born in the aptly-named County Tipperary village of Horse and Jockey.

He worked his way up from being stable lad to jump jockey and won the Scottish Grand National on Brasher in 1965.

When his riding career was cut short, he entered training and his yard became one of the most successful in Britain during the 1980s.

He was like a father figure to me and his death is a great shock to racing Kieren Fallon

FitzGerald was instrumental in guiding the careers of several jockeys, including current Flat champion Kieren Fallon.

"He was a great friend and I admired him a lot. The game will not seem the same without him," the rider said.

"He was always there for me, especially when I went off the rails a bit, and I wouldn't be where I am today but for him."

In addition to Forgive'N Forget, FitzGerald's other Cheltenham Festival winners included Danish Flight, Uncle Ernie and Canny Danny.

He also trained the prolific two-mile specialist Sybillin, who won the Tingle Creek Trophy and the Victor Chandler Chase.

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His Flat successes included the 1989 Ebor Handicap at his local track with the Pat Eddery-ridden Sapience, who also won the Princess of Wales' Stakes.

The trainer twice took the Cesarewitch with Trainglot and Kayudee, along with the Northumberland Plate and the Lincoln Handicap.

His son Tim inherited his yard in 2003, although FitzGerald had remained actively involved until his illness.