Richard Fox (jockey)

Richard Daniel Stuart Fox (1954–2011) was an Irish-born British jockey and actor.

Fox was born on 6 March 1954, in Cork, Ireland.^[1] He began an apprenticeship with Irish horse trainer Seamus McGrath when he was 14 years old.^[1]

He won his first race at the Curragh Cup in 1972.^[1][2] His other wins included the Northumberland Plate, the Lincoln Handicap, the Bunbury Cup and the Cesarewitch Handicap.^[2][3]

Fox retired from racing in July 1992, after a career spanning twenty years,^[3] when he broke his femur at the Salisbury Racecourse.^[3] He switched careers to acting^{[citation needed]} and speaking engagements.^[3] He appeared in the 2002 film, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, as body double for Rupert Grint in the role of Ron Weasley.^[2]

Fox collapsed while shopping in Newmarket on 30 April 2011, and did not regain consciousness.^[2] He remained in hospital on life support for the next two months.^[3] Fox died at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds on 28 June 2011, at the age of 57.^[2] Fox was survived by his second wife, Marie, whom he married in 2007, and two children from his previous marriage, Francesca and Dominic.^[1][2]