With ITV Racing ramping up their coverage at weekends in 2024, many will be wondering – who is Mick Fitzgerald? Read on to see all you need to know about the popular pundit and former jockey.
Who Is Mick Fitzgerald?
Mick Fitzgerald is a retired Irish National Hunt jockey and rode in Great Britain for the majority of his career where he served as a retainer to Nicky Henderson for a number of years. Years later he still has a close working relationship with Henderson and often helps out at the Lambourn-based stables, advising on race tactics amongst other things.
The Irishman was popular amongst punters during his time in the saddle and famously won the Grand National on Rough Quest for trainer Terry Casey in 1996 (see below). Fitzgerald famously described the monumental victory as “better than sex” at the time, which led to his autobiography being named after the quote.
Other big winners included the Cheltenham Gold Cup, when he lifted See More Business to glory which was trainer Paul Nicholls‘ first win in the huge race. Fitzgerald then partnered the horse to King George Chase success later on that year.
He was a regular around Cheltenham too, and was leading jockey at the festival in 1999 and 2000. With 14 winners to his name at the meeting all together, it’s fair to say he didn’t mind a ride at Prestbury Park.
However, the highly thought of jockey had his career cut short due to a serious injury in 2008. He fell at the second fence at Aintree when riding L’Ami in the 2008 Grand National, sustaining bad injuries to his neck and spine.
Despite his career lasting just over 15 years, Fitzgerald is still known as one of the best jump jockeys of all time with over 1300 winners to his name.
WATCH: Mick Fitzgerald Wins 1996 Grand National On Rough Quest
Happy birthday, @mickfitzg! 🥳
Here’s a throwback to one of his finest moments in the saddle – winning the 1996 Grand National @AintreeRaces aboard Rough Quest 👏 pic.twitter.com/CsKLj0T575
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 10, 2021
What Media Work Does Mick Fitzgerald Do?
Fitzgerald is now often seen on horse racing fans’ TV screens where he presents shows on At The Races (SkySportsRacing) analysing both flat and National Hunt contests.
He joined Channel 4 Racing in 2013, but switched to ITV Racing in 2017 where he is regularly seen on their weekend shows out and about doing interviews with jockeys, connections and more.
Joining him on the ITV panel are the likes of Adele Mulrennan, Meg Nicholls and Leonna Mayor. He is also good friends with Matt Chapman, who he works alongside at both SkySportsRacing and ITV.
Fitzgerald also has a strong friendship with fellow former jockey AP McCoy and the iconic duo are known to play golf with each other.
How Old Is Mick Fitzgerald?
Mick was born on 10th May 1970, making him 53 years old.
Does Mick Fitzgerald Have A Wife?
Yes, Mick has a wife and they have three children together, living in the Lambourn area of Berkshire. Having had an earlier marriage too, Fitzgerald was once a brother-in-law to Paul Nicholls.
Is Mick Fitzgerald A Tipster?
Whilst not being a tipster by trade, Fitzgerald provides a column with his tips for popular Irish bookmaker Paddy Power on a weekly basis for the upcoming ITV Racing coverage.
Mick Fitzgerald Twitter “X” Handle
You can find his views on all things horse racing and more over on X and his handle is @mickfitzg.
Ground is drying @itvracing @CheltenhamRaces pic.twitter.com/dJL7uyQJiL
— mick fitzgerald (@mickfitzg) January 1, 2024
Every Cheltenham Festival Winner For Mick Fitzgerald
Now you know the answer to – Who Is Mick Fitzgerald? Check out his Cheltenham Festival winners below.
- Cheltenham Gold Cup – (1) See More Business (1999)
- Queen Mother Champion Chase – (1) Call Equiname (1999)
- Stayers’ Hurdle – (1) Bacchanal (2000)
- Arkle Challenge Trophy – (1) Tiutchev (2000)
- RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase – (1) Trabolgan (2005)
- Ryanair Chase – (1) Fondmort (2006)
- Triumph Hurdle – (1) Katarino (1999)
- Festival Trophy Handicap Chase – (2) Rough Quest (1995), Marlborough (2000)
- Coral Cup – (1) Xenophon (2003)
- Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase – (1) Non So (2006)
- Cathcart Chase – (3) Ramylette (1994), Stormy Fairweather (1999, 2000(
- Ritz Club Chase – (1) Rough Quest (1995)
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
