‘He was one of my closest friends in the weighing room’ – The multi-time classic racehorse winner, Tony Ives, passed away at age 74. Now I’m not hiding the truth about my friend’s passing anymore…

The racing world is mourning the loss of Tony Ives, one of the most popular and respected Flat jockeys of his generation. The Yorkshireman, who rode more than 2,000 winners worldwide during a 25-year career, died in Thailand at the age of 74 following a lengthy period of ill health. He passed away peacefully with his family by his side in Chiang Rai, the place he had called home for many years.

For those who knew him best, his death marks not only the end of a brilliant riding career but also the quiet close to a life marked by resilience, loyalty, and an enduring love for the sport.

Born Tony Alexander Ives on 7 February 1952 in the small village of Westow near Malton in North Yorkshire, he grew up in a racing family. His father John was a trainer who worked in Belgium and the Netherlands, and young Tony was immersed in the world of horses from an early age. He began his apprenticeship with Willie Stephenson in Royston before moving to Stanley ‘Snowy’ Wainwright in the Malton area. It did not take long for his talent to shine.

By the late 1970s he had established himself as stable jockey to Reg Hollinshead, and in 1978 he wrote himself into history. Still an apprentice, he partnered the talented Remainder Man to second place in the 2,000 Guineas and third in the Epsom Derby. That performance made him the last apprentice jockey ever to place in the Derby, a record that stands to this day.

The 1980s brought Ives to the peak of his powers. He moved to Newmarket to ride for the progressive trainer Bill O’Gorman, a man famous for his precocious two-year-olds. Together they enjoyed extraordinary success. In 1984 Ives rode the brilliant Provideo to 16 victories as a juvenile, equalling the British record and helping the colt earn Horse of the Year honours from Timeform. Ives himself recorded 90 winners that season. But it was his ride aboard Teleprompter in the 1985 Arlington Million that truly captured the imagination of racing fans around the world.

Just days after being kicked in the head by a horse in Britain, Ives delivered a tactical masterclass on the rain-softened Chicago track, guiding the Bill Watts-trained miler to a famous victory worth $600,000. That win not only made Teleprompter the highest-earning British-trained horse at the time but also showcased Ives’ extraordinary courage and skill under pressure.

Two years later he secured his only Classic success when he partnered Ian Balding’s Forest Flower to victory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas. The filly had already stamped herself as a top-class two-year-old, and Ives’ confident handling confirmed her status at the highest level. He added further Group 1 glory when he won the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on Sheriff’s Star in 1989. Closer to home he won the Magnet Cup at his beloved York racecourse three times, on Chaumiere in 1985 and 1986 and on Icona in 1989.

Each victory at his local track meant the world to the proud Yorkshireman.

Ives was never afraid to travel in search of opportunity. In the 1990s he rode regularly in Hong Kong and Macau, where he became a firm favourite with racegoers. He finished runner-up in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship one season and continued to compete at the highest level until persistent back and neck problems forced his retirement in 1996. The numbness in his hands and right leg had become impossible to ignore, and he made the difficult decision to step away rather than risk permanent damage.

After hanging up his saddle he worked as an assistant trainer in Macau and later took on official roles with the Macau Jockey Club, including tutoring young apprentices.

He eventually settled in Thailand with his second wife Jiraporn, with whom he had three children. He also had three children from his first marriage, making him a devoted father of six. Friends often spoke of how content he seemed in his new life, embracing the culture and slower pace of Southeast Asia while never losing his passion for racing. He remained a familiar and much-loved figure whenever British or Irish racing visitors passed through.

Yet the physical price of his long career continued to exact its toll. In November 2024 Ives was struck by a severe blood infection that required intensive care in a hospital in Chiang Rai. The racing community rallied around him in extraordinary fashion. A GoFundMe appeal raised thousands of pounds, with generous donations from fellow jockeys including William Buick and Frankie Dettori, as well as the family of the late Lester Piggott. The Injured Jockeys Fund provided vital support throughout his treatment.

Although he recovered from that acute episode, the underlying health issues persisted and gradually worsened over the following months.

Now, with his passing, those who were closest to him are speaking openly about the reality of his final years. While Tony always maintained his famous smile and positive spirit, the truth is that he endured significant suffering in silence, battling the cumulative effects of decades in the saddle. He faced his declining health with the same quiet dignity and courage he had shown throughout his riding career. Surrounded by his family in Thailand, he slipped away peacefully.

The Injured Jockeys Fund has expressed its deep sadness and confirmed that it continues to support his loved ones during this difficult time.

Tributes have poured in from every corner of the racing world. Philip Robinson, a longtime friend and fellow jockey who rode alongside Ives in Britain, Hong Kong and Macau, captured the mood perfectly when he said: “He was one of my best pals in the weighing room back in the day and we used to travel to the races quite a bit.” Others remember Ives as a true gentleman – kind, humble, always ready with a word of encouragement, and possessed of that unmistakable Yorkshire warmth even in the most competitive environments.

Tony Ives’ legacy is immense. He helped elevate British racing on the international stage through his brilliant wins in Chicago and Ireland. He set records that still stand, rode some of the most exciting horses of his era, and forged friendships that lasted decades. More than that, he embodied the best qualities of the weighing room: professionalism, resilience and loyalty. In an age when the sport can sometimes feel dominated by big budgets and fleeting stars, Ives stood as a reminder of the human heart at the centre of it all.

As the racing community comes to terms with his loss, there is also a sense of gratitude for everything he gave to the sport he loved. His story – from a determined Yorkshire apprentice to a globe-trotting champion – will continue to inspire future generations. The truth about his final chapter, one of quiet strength amid physical decline, only deepens the admiration felt by all who knew him. Rest in peace, Tony. The weighing room will never feel quite the same without you, but your memory and your many brilliant rides will gallop on forever.