Fitzgerald remembers the injury that ended his career
GRAND National winner Mick Fitzgerald spoke candidly about the injury which ended his career during an appearance at the inaugural Sportsman’s Curry Club in Manchester.
Mr Fitzgerald, one of the most successful jump jockeys of all time, retired in 2008 four months after breaking his back in a fall at the Grand National at Aintree.
He was the star guest at the lunch, formerly known as the Dewi Morris Curry Club, which has been relaunched by Wilmslow wine merchant Charlie Womersley and was held at East Z East in Blackfriars Street.
Mr Fitzgerald told the audience he only avoided paralysis because a plate inserted after an earlier break had stabilised his spine.
He said: “I blacked out and when I came to I couldn’t feel anything. In that moment I had never felt more afraid. One of my boys had just been born and I thought, ‘please, please don’t let this happen because I want to see my boys grow up and play with them’. I knew if I got the feeling back I would be okay.
“The spinal cord had been penetrated by 25% – enough to cause paralysis from the waist down. I was saved by a plate put in after the first time which stabilised my spine. That day was an eye opener and I now realise I’ve got a second chance and I’m going to make the most of it.”
Mr Fitzgerald said he knew what he wanted to do with his life “within 30 seconds” of riding a race horse for the first time aged 13. He rode his first winner in 1988 and his victories included the Cheltenham Gold Cup on See More Business in 1999 and the 1996 Grand National on Rough Quest.
The Curry Club event raised £700 for Norfox which raises money for children’s charities. The next event is November 28.
