Jimmy becomes soldier of Fortune
Tuesday, 9 February 2010 09:49Jimmy Fortune is set to ride as a freelance jockey after losing his job at John Gosden's to William Buick.
Fortune, who has turned down the opportunity to ride as stable jockey to Andrew Balding, saw his seven-year association with Gosden come to a head after he was overlooked at the Breeders' Cup for the second successive year.
'I think, and hope, I've made the right decision,' Fortune told the Daily Express.
'Andrew Balding, who had offered me the job as his stable jockey, is one of the many trainers I will be riding out for.
'It's going to be tough but I'm looking forward to the new challenge.
'I'm fit and at the age of 37, I don't see why I don't have another 15 years of race-riding in me, that's of course, if I can stay injury free.
'The problems I had with my back are now something of the distant past.'
