Background
Fox was born in Berrington, Shropshire, England, became an apprentice at the age of eighteen, and had his first winner a year later.
Fox was born in Berrington, Shropshire, England, became an apprentice at the age of eighteen, and had his first winner a year later.
He narrowly missed out on the British Triple Crown. He was ranked the 20th best jockey of the 20th century by Britain"s industry paper, the Racing Post. He then took some time out to go to Germany where he spent two seasons riding for the von Weinberg stable, but returned to England prior to World War I. He spent the next decade or more as a journeyman jockey.
Bahram was set to go off a strong favourite for the race.
However, the day before the race, Fox was seriously injured in a fall and the ride taken by Charlie Smirke. Fox retired to Letcombe Regis, near Wantage in 1936, having given up on an initial plan to train.
Fox was a naturally lightweight jockey. On his retirement in 1936 he was still able to meet a riding weight of 7 stone 7 lbs (476 kg).
In appearance, he is said to have "resembled his vulpine namesake." He was a lot more measured than some of his contemporaries and was a popular figure in the weighing room.
Maxims attributed to him include, "Be quiet, respect your elders, don"t get cocky" and "Remember, however good you are, there"s always someone better." In later life, Fox was known in racing circles as "the Mayor of Wantage", due to the "country gentleman" lifestyle he adopted. Their only son Michael was a pilot in the Royal Air Force who was killed 15 July 1940 on active service in Egypt aged 21. Classic Races Saint Other selected races.