Irishman, Derek Fox was born in Sligo on the 14th May 1992.
Known for his horsemanship, calm demeanour and composure under pressure, Fox has risen through the ranks to hit the headline in 2017.
One For Arthur, trained by Lucinda Russell, wins the Aintree Grand National.
Fox won the race in style.
On the 19th May 2010, Fox rode his first winner under racing rules at his home town of Sligo, for trainer Noel C Kelly, based in County Derry, Northern Ireland. Fox, a 7lb apprentice, rode Mighty Whitey (25/1) to win the Cleveragh INH Flat Race over 2m.
It was an enterprising ride from the apprentice on a green horse to hold off a late challenge with his mount struggled to negotiate the bend past the stand both times.
It would be the first of over 4500 rides, featuring over 400 wins and a strike rate of 9%.
In the last 4 years (2020 – 2024) Fox has achieved total earnings of almost £3M.
In 2016, Fox he transitioned to Scotland to be stable jockey for Lucinda Russell OBE, at Arlary House, Milnathort, Kinross, Perthshire, United Kingdom.
Fox has ridden over 200 winners for the stable with almost £4M in prize money. In fact, only Peter Buchanan has ridden more winners. He achieved 277 winners before retiring on the 23rd April 2016, after being stable jockey for 13 years.
Buchanan never won a race at the Cheltenham Festival or Grand National, an accolade Derek Fox must cherish with not only one but two Aintree Grand National victories.
Aintree Racecourse has been a lucky track for Fox, especially with Ahoy Senor winning the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (2021) & Mildmay Novices’ Chase (2022).
To ride a winner at Aintree’s Grand National is the pinnacle of every jockeys career.
Let’s take a look at Derek Fox’s National Wins:
2017 Aintree Grand National –
Often timing is everything and that was the case for Fox. Just under a year of being stable jockey for the Russell team (a loss Peter Buchanan must have felt) One For Arthur won the National at odds of 14/1, for owners, Deborah Thomson & Belinda McClung.
One For Arthur won well that day. Russell said: ‘For other horses it was a test but for him it was easy!’
This son of Milan out of a winning mare named Nonnetia, won by four and a half lengths from Cause Of Causes, with Saint Are in third.
What made the occasion so special is the fact it was Fox’s debut ride in the Grand National. In addition, he was returning less than a month after breaking his wrist and collarbone.
Lightning does strike twice.
2023 Aintree Grand National –
Corach Rambler, owned by The Ramblers, proved a perfect day for Lucinda Russell and their hard working team. The 8/1f gave Derek Fox his second win, and it was very much like a re-run of the first. He led at the last, going clear, and then idled in front but won with some authority by two and a quarter lengths from Vanillier (Gavin Cromwell) and third placed Gaillard Du Mesnil (Willie Mullins).
Fox said: ‘Corach Rambler is a phenomenal horse. Today he just jumped out and travelled everywhere, so I just let him bowl along. He is so intelligent. He won so easily, all I do is the steering.’
Let’s take a look at Derek Fox’s Aintree Grand National rides:
2017 – One For Arthur 14/1 1st
2018 – No ride
2019 – One For Arthur 20/1 6th
2020 – Cancelled due to COVID 19
2021 – No ride
2022 – Mighty Thunder 40/1 PU (25th fence, Valentine’s Brook)
2023 – Corach Rambler 8/1f 1st
2024 – Corach Rmabler 15/2 UR (Unseated Rider, 1st fence)
Derek Fox, was blessed when he become stable jockey for Lucinda Russell. The achievement of two wins in the Grand National from five runs is quite astounding. Every ride being for the stable of Lucinda Russell.
The Irish man has come along way since that first win on Mighty Whitey, back in Sligo.