FitzGerald pays tribute to Dwyer

Jimmy FitzGerald, responsible for bringing Mark Dwyer over from Ireland, paid tribute to the jockey forced into retirement following a fall at Kelso over a year ago.

"It doesn't surprise me," he said. "When I saw the X-rays the inside of his arm looked like a clock with a tangle of bits of wire and stuff.

"We had 13 seasons together and not two rows in 13 years. He is the biggest loss.

"He was a great man, a great judge and a great rider and as straight as a die. He was a gentleman to work with, you wouldn't get anyone better and I hope I can get another like him."

Dwyer rode FitzGerald's Forgive'n Forget to victory in the 1985 Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Malton trainer added: "There was Forgive'n Forget of course but we had a lot of good memories.

"He would win races that were down to him and not the horse.

"He will always make a living, he's an intelligent lad.

"Everything comes to an end but I suppose it is just another beginning for Mark."

Jonjo O'Neill, for whom Dwyer rode Danny Connors to win the 1991 Coral Golden Hurdle Final at the Cheltenham Festival, said: "He was a great big race jockey and a good mate. I rode with him and he rode for me.

"He was very, very cool and always gave horses a good spin, having them in the right place at the right time.

"It's sad it has had to happen like this."

Malton trainer Maurice Camacho echoed O'Neill's views.

"Mark always rode for us when he could and did plenty of schooling," said Camacho. "I'll miss him. He was a top-class jockey and a top-class judge.

"I'm very sorry but at least he's retired with all his faculties intact - his brains have not been scrambled with riding and he has a good business (runs a livery yard at West Knapton, just outside Malton).

"He's no fool, Mr Dwyer."

Peter Beaumont, for whom Dwyer teamed up successfully with 1993 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Jodami, said: "The biggest shame is that both he and Jodami never ran in the National, which was the plan this year.

"He was first choice when we wanted a jockey for Jodami and from day one they always got on together."

Beaumont also praised Dwyer for his honesty in post-race inquests.

"You always got a proper tale from Mark after a race," he said.

Dwyer gained many big-race victories in his Ireland and struck up a formidable partnership with the top-class hurdler Derrymoyle, trained by Michael Cunningham.

And the Navan trainer paid tribute to the retiring jockey. He said: "Mark was a very, very stylish jockey, the most stylish jockey.