Fitzgerald: Retired

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Nicky Henderson fittingly led the tributes to Mick Fitzgerald, who has announced his retirement from the saddle through injury.

Fitzgerald has been part of the furniture at the Seven Barrows stable in Lambourn since the mid 1990s, riding a total of 762 winners for that one trainer alone.

"His greatest attribute to us was that he wasn't just a jockey, he was a team player as far as we were concerned and a great mate. His input was enormous," said Henderson.

"He obviously was a very, very good rider, he was very strong and very good at presenting a horse at an obstacle, but there was much more to it than that.

"We've had a long association, but it was very easy as he was always 100% and the owners knew that.

"We all became friends and it was easy to work and when you think he rode 762 winners for us, which is an awful lot for one yard. That's amazing.

"He was the archetypal stable jockey and his commitment was 100% to us. He was always fully behind this operation and he would like to stay on in some capacity but at the moment he can't ride at all anyway.

"But he could always be here as a guide and helper and a brain. He has always had the ability to work things out and the homework he did was phenomenal."

Henderson pointed to Raymylette's victory in the Cathcart Chase at Cheltenham in 1994 as the one that signalled their arrival as a potent partnership.

"The first significant one was probably Raymylette at Cheltenham when he won the Cathcart," the trainer went on.

"That was his first Cheltenham winner for us and that was when the owners started to believe in the guy we'd got and it started from there. That broke the ice from everybody's point of view."

He then recalled the 2000 Cheltenham Festival when they enjoyed four winners at the March highlight.

"It was 2000 when we had four winners at Cheltenham - Tiutchev, Marlborough, Stormyfairweather and Bacchanal," said Henderson.

"In fairness all of them were great rides in their own way but the ride on Marlborough that day was probably one of the great rides in what was a great week.

"It was totally Mick that worked him out.

"Mick wanted to do something completely different on him and for ever more we rode him the way he did that day.

"He said we'd been doing it all wrong and by changing those tactics, it changed the horse completely. That was the thinking man's Mick."

Trabolgan's victory in the 2005 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury came just days after Fitzgerald had got back in the saddle following a serious neck injury.

"He'd only been back a week from the previous neck injury so that victory on Trabolgan in the Hennessy was very special. He had been worried if he would ever get back," Henderson added.

"There's no doubt he would have gone on this year and probably next as well if this injury hadn't occurred.

"The whole place here from me, the owners and everybody, it's been a long journey and it's been good fun all the way."

Fitzgerald won numerous races in the colours of Trevor Hemmings and gave the owner his first taste of Cheltenham Festival success with Trabolgan in the 2005 Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

That victory was soon to be followed by a second with Juveigneur winning the Kim Muir on the same day and the owner's racing manager, Michael Meagher, was full of praise for the rider.

"Mick has been a great jockey and won the Hennessy and a SunAlliance for us on Trabolgan," said Meagher.

"He gave us some great days and it is better he has got out in one piece.

"He's just a top man and it was a great day at Cheltenham when both Trabolgan and Juveigneur won.

"There was also Afsoun finishing third in the Champion Hurdle and we have had so many good horses with Nicky Henderson ridden by Mick over the years."

Fitzgerald bagged two Cheltenham features on Paul Nicholls-runners with See More Business prevailing in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Call Equiname landing the Champion Chase in 1999.

Nicholls said: "They were both great rides, especially Call Equiname.

"It was the first day he rode the horse and we really needed someone experienced, with a cool head who would ride to the death and that is exactly what he did.

"It was his first time riding See More Business too and he got on so well with the horse and gave him a great ride.

"He's obviously been a top-class jockey for many years and a great ambassador for the sport. We will all undoubtedly miss him but I think it was the right decision. I'm sure whatever he goes on to do, he will do it in the same professional manner as he did in his riding career.

"He's had a lot of injuries and everyone is just glad to see him retire in one piece."

Marlborough was owned by Sir Robert Ogden and his racing manager Barry Simpson thinks it is a shame Fitzgerald did not get to ride a final winner.

He said: "He's had a wonderful career riding high-profile horses in high-profile races.

"He was a strong and determined jockey and it's very sad that he's been forced to retire through injury as I'm sure he'd have liked to bow out with a winner - he would have deserved that."

Fitzgerald partnered the Tony Martin-trained Xenophon to land a gamble in the 2003 Coral Cup at Cheltenham.

"He was one of the best jockeys of his era. He was a great judge and a good horseman," said Martin.

"He was always fantastic when he rode for me and, along with Adrian Maguire, he was probably the best jockey of his era to never be champion.

"It's a shame that he's had to retire but it's better to go out this way than risk being forced out by another heavy fall."

The news came as no surprise to Steve Smith Eccles, a former stable jockey at the Henderson yard.

"I thought he was a very brave man to carry on the time before when he had that serious neck injury," he said.

"It's like going to the edge of the world, teetering on the brink and coming back. Then he's gone and done it again.

"I was surprised when he carried on riding the first time and not surprised whatsoever that's he packed in this time.

"You could see it coming from a mile off and he's been laying down his foundations for the future, but what a fantastic guy he's been for the sport.

"He's a very good talker and a good ambassador. Hopefully he'll do well out of the sport in the future too. He's been good for racing and hopefully it will repay him."

Smith Eccles singled out Fitzgerald's ride on Rough Quest in the 1996 Grand National as his favourite memory of the jockey

"I think the ride he gave Rough Quest in the Grand National was excellent," Smith Eccles added.

"He got him jumping, he was in the right place at the right time and rode the race well."

Channel 4 Racing pundit John McCririck praised Fitzgerald's contribution to National Hunt racing, both in and out of the saddle.

"First of all I think it is absolutely the right decision," said McCririck.

"He is one of the real gentleman of the weighing room and one of the few jockeys who can bridge the gap between just riding and communicating with the public.

"He is an enthusiast, has a great love of the game and is very knowledgeable.

"He is always available for interviews and he is a man everyone respects and I think he was riding virtually as well as ever last season.

"Obviously he had stacks of big-race winners, but he is also remembered for his remark after winning the National on Rough Quest when he said it was better than sex!

"That remark will always go down in racing folklore and it is typical of the man as he's a smashing bloke. I just hope he continues his work in the media as he is absolutely invaluable.

"He would be a terrific attribute to anybody as he is forthright, he tells it how it is and I don't know anybody who has a bad word to say about him.

"I wouldn't quite say he is better than sex but National Hunt racing owes him a very big debt! How Nicky Henderson is going to replace him, I don't know.

"I am sure he will but it certainly won't be easy to replace a man like Mick."

Sir Peter O'Sullevan has fond memories of Fitzgerald's riding career and particularly his Grand National success on Rough Quest.

O'Sullevan, who commentated on the race in 1996, said: "I'm sure it's a wise decision. I can't think of anyone who could have faced what he had to face with greater courage and resolution.

"I have unqualified admiration for him, both as a jockey and particularly as an individual.

"Happily he won't be missed too much as he will stay with us in the media and continue to enlighten us with his comments on the game and horses in general.

"I think he has been and remains a credit to the game and I suppose my most lasting memory of his career was his victory on Rough Quest as I happened to call the race.

"His memorable post-race comment, and I will leave it at that, will also last long in the memory.

"He has always been a breath of fresh air to the game and he is just a splendid man.

"I couldn't commend him higher and I could not possibly wish him more good fortune."

Jamie Osborne, another former retained jockey at Henderson's, was pleased Fitzgerald had finally decided to call it a day.

"He was a little whipper snapper when I was riding!" said the Upper Lambourn trainer.

"My career was underway when he was getting started. He was at Jacqui Retter's, he could always ride and though she was a good trainer she didn't have enough firepower. He was a jockey who was always going to go on.

"He's a great fella, been a great rider and he's got out nearly in one piece.

"It was a fantastic opportunity at Nicky's and he grasped it and did a great job with the yard. Nicky will miss him, I'm sure.

"No doubt we're going to have to listen to Mick on the telly a bit more now, that might be a bit painful through the winter!

"I wish him all the best and I'm glad he's made the right decision.

"There comes a point when you have to realise that you don't bounce like when you did when you were in your 20s.

"He's had a great career and he can be very proud of what he's done."