The Australian racing industry is mourning the loss of respected horseman Allan Fitzgerald, who passed away at the age of 62 following a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Fitzgerald’s journey through racing began in the saddle, carving out a successful career as a lightweight jockey. He rode for the well-known Freyer family for over a decade and was a familiar name across the country racing scene.
“He rode hundreds of winners,” said fellow trainer and longtime friend John Ledger to Racing.com.
“At his peak, he was what you’d call a ‘cocky jockey’—full of confidence, and he rode with that same self-belief. But he backed it up with results.”
Among his many triumphs, Fitzgerald enjoyed multiple victories in the Albury and Wagga Cups, becoming a mainstay in regional racing.
In the late 1990s, Fitzgerald transitioned into training, establishing a base near Wangaratta. It was a move that allowed him to stay close to the sport he loved while focusing more on family life.
“He was a horseman through and through,” said Ledger. “Whether he was riding or training, Allan just had a feel for horses. He loved the game.”
Despite his ongoing health challenges, Fitzgerald remained a determined and active figure in the industry. With the unwavering support of his wife Jen and their son John, he continued to train right up until this year.
His final runner, O’reg, finished a close second at Berrigan on March 22, while his last winner came courtesy of Time Angel at Wagga in July 2024.
“Allan never gave up,” said a close family friend. “Even when he wasn’t well, he’d be down at the track, boots on, focused on the horses. That was his passion.”
Fitzgerald is survived by his wife Jen and their four children—Allan, Emily, John, and Michael—who remember him not just as a trainer and jockey, but as a dedicated family man.
“He was our rock,” said son John. “He gave everything to the sport and even more to his family. We’re so proud of what he achieved.”
As tributes continue to pour in from across the racing community, one thing is clear: Allan Fitzgerald’s legacy will live on, both in the winners he trained and the countless lives he touched.
