Person

1764 - 1806

Dennis Fitzpatrick was an Irish, five-times British Classic winning jockey. Fitzpatrick grew up in Ireland, where his father was a tenant farmer of Lord Clermont, and began his riding career there, Lord Clermont brought Fitzpatrick to ride in England. He achieved great success for Lord Egremont, when he won the 1805 Derby on Cardinal Beaufort, and three Oaks with Nightshade (1788), Platina (1795) and Ephemera (1800). His first victory in the race came on Annette in 1787. He was a noted rider of match races, in 1803 famously riding Gaoler to beat Derby winner Orlando, ridden by Frank Buckle, over the Rowley Mile. The pair were the two best mile horses of their day and the defeat was one of only two Orlando faced in twelve races. Another famous match versus Buckle took place at the Newmarket Craven meeting of 1799. Fitzpatrick on Diamond took on Hambletonian, ridden by Buckle, over four miles, one furlong and 138 yards of the Beacon Course, Diamond went down by half a neck to his opponent. Fitzpatrick's sadly passed away in 1906 only one year after his Derby success.