Q&A: Mick Fitzgerald on a Gold Cup dream, best festival performance and more

What is your first memory of Cheltenham?
Dawn Run completing the Champion Hurdle-Gold Cup double in 1986. I was working on the Flat in Ireland at the time and Ireland closed down to watch it. It was huge news and a celebration for Ireland when the country was on its knees. It hit home what a very big deal it was.

What are your recollections of your first winner?
It was 1994, my first year in the job as stable jockey with Nicky Henderson and I remember it like it was yesterday – Raymylette winning the Cathcart Chase for Lord and Lady Lloyd-Webber. Everything went like I hoped it would. I was over the moon.

What was your best Cheltenham moment?
Winning the Gold Cup on See More Business in 1999. It was a dream come true. I rode three winners that day. It doesn’t get any better than that.

Mick Fitzgerald wins the 1999 Cheltenham Gold Cup on See More BusinessCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

What was your biggest disappointment at the meeting?
Not having a winner there in my last season riding. Every time you walk out of there without a winner, it’s a bad day success-wise, but obviously not a bad day if you’re still walking.

What makes Cheltenham different to any other meeting in the jumps calendar?
The whole build up, the expectation and the sheer relief and ecstasy when it all comes right.

Who was your greatest Cheltenham hero?
Jonjo O’Neill, for winning on Dawn Run and for also going on to train a Gold Cup winner.

What was the best Cheltenham performance you’ve ever seen?
Master Minded winning his first Champion Chase in 2008. I’ve never seen anything win a championship race so easily.

What was the best riding display you’ve seen around Cheltenham?
Barry Geraghty winning the 2012 Ryanair Chase on Riverside Theatre. He got the absolute maximum out of the horse.

Ability apart, what quality does a horse require to shine at the meeting?
A big heart.

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