FitzGerald was formally educated at the prestigious Irish National Stud, under the tutelage of Dr. Michael Osborne. He finished second in his class of 30-plus students, a meticulously selected group from around the world.

At age 21, FitzGerald ventured to America with $200 and a suitcase of belongings to see what his future may hold. He began his work under astute manager John Williams at Spendthrift Farm and played a key role in the farm’s stallion division for two years. Among the stallions under FitzGerald’s attention was 1978 Triple Crown winner AFFIRMED.

FitzGerald wanted to broaden his managerial skills beyond stallions and accepted the Farm manager’s role at Jake Haverhals’ Saddle Home Farm outside Paris, KY, at age 23. He remained there two years until an opportunity with Brookdale Farm opened. He then took on the role of Farm manager for owner/operator Fred Seitz and maintained this position for four years.

At age 29, FitzGerald accepted the farm manager’s position at Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Ragusa Stud, a satellite farm for Kildangan Stud in Co. Kildare, Ireland. But after two years of being back in his homeland, FitzGerald became homesick for the United States and returned to America to manage Eaton Farms for owner Lee Eaton. He also managed the Eaton Sales Division, a perennial leading consignment for co-owners Eaton, Riley McDonald and John Williams.

FitzGerald believes in order to be the best one must learn from the best. He gained invaluable experience during his 12 years of managing various farms and operations and has incorporated this education into his own operation. In particular, FitzGerald understands that each horse is individual, and that attention to detail is key to long-lasting success.

Success is something to which FitzGerald has become accustomed. He has excelled in many facets of the Thoroughbred industry, namely pinhooking weanlings to yearlings, raising champion race horses, and selling million-dollar thoroughbreds. Among the top horses he has consigned are TOCCET, the world’s highest priced stallion prospect ever sold at public auction at $3.35 million, and BEAUTIFUL BID, who topped the 2000 Fasig-Tipton November sale at $2.6 million.

FitzGerald and former partner James Keogh annually ranked among the top ten consignors at Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton during their four-year stint as FitzGerald/Keogh Agency. FitzGerald reverted back to a smaller, select consignment style in the fall of 2003 and has enjoyed having the majority of his consignments comprised of horses based at Knockgriffin. He feels that this allows him to represent his clients and their horses to the fullest.

FitzGerald’s passion is horses, but this passion is not limited to the Thoroughbred industry. Although he always has enjoyed foxhunting with the Woodford Hounds of Versailles, he also has converted a small part of Knockgriffin to include a dressage ring, cross-country jumps and stadium-style jumps to emulate the actual phases of Three Day Eventing, another true passion he rarely has time for these days.