LEGENDARY jockey and dad-of-six Tony Ives has died in Thailand with his family by his side at the age of 71.
A famous name in British racing – and still the last apprentice to place in the Derby – Ives had more than 2,000 wins in a distinguished 25-year career.
A Classic-winning rider owing to his Irish 1,000 Guineas success on Forest Flower in 1987, Ives would become stable jockey for Bill O’Gorman, the trainer famed for his ‘amazing flying two-year-olds’.
Prior to that he was with Reg Hollinshead, and the pair came runner-up in the 1978 2,000 Guineas with Remainder Man, who would finish third in the Epsom Classic the same year.
A bad back would force Ives, who was from North Yorkshire, to retire in 1996 after his final victory at Lingfield – and some 11 years after his biggest ever win.
That came courtesy of Teleprompter in the mega-money Arlington Million race in Chicago, US.
Won by the likes of Aidan O’Brien, John Gosden and, more recently Charlie Appleby with Nation’s Pride, the Arlington Million is a major race on the international calendar.
Ives delivered a brilliant ride on the Bill Watts-trained horse to win.
Even more remarkable was that Ives had been kicked in the head by a horse in Britain earlier in the week.
As reported by the Racing Post, Ives moved to Thailand several years ago with his second wife Jiraporn.
He leaves behind three children from his marriage to her and three from his first marriage.
Lisa Hancock, chief executive of the Injured Jockeys Fund, said: “We’re all deeply saddened to hear of Tony’s death.
“We have been supporting Tony’s family and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.
“Tony was able to spend his final days at home with his family.”
