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John Richard "Bunny" Cox

Early Life
Cox was born in Mount Bailie House on the Armagh Road in 1923, son of John (Jack) and Florence Dorothy (Dally), nee Bell. He was raised in his parents’ home Rockview Farm, Blackrock.

Amateur Jockey
By the age of sixteen he had already clocked up more than fifty wins on the point-to-point field, and was quickly coming to notice. He was offered professional status by legendary trainer Vincent O’Brien but his weight and height were not conducive to riding professionally, and he remained as an amateur.Cox won the National Hunt Chase in successive years at Cheltenham on Pontage (1953)In 1954 he won a four miles Natoinal Hunt Chase at Cheltenham for amaeteur riders aboard Quare Times, who won the Grand National at Aintree the following year. In 1959 he rodebodds on favourite Quita Que  to victory in a two mile Champion Chase at Cheltenham for Dan Moore. He was twice second in the Champion Hurdle on Quita Que.Described by the celebrated Martin Molony as "the best amateur rider I saw".In 1949, Cox rode four winners on the same day at the Punchestown Festival, a feat that wasn't equalled until 1990 when Tommy Carmody emulated it.

Vet
He attended the Dundalk Grammar School. Following his Leaving Certificate he went one to his pre-med in Trinity College.He procceeded to study veterinary medicine at the Veterinary College in Dublin. Despite being frequently unable to attend lectures due to his riding commitments he sucessfully graduated. Indeed, he was awarded Bronze Medal in Veterinary Medicine in Britain and Ireland for his paper on histology despite never attending lectures on the subject. Following his graduation cox briefly worked as a vet in Naas, Co Kildare.

Trainer
Took over his father's (John) licence in 1970 and enjoyed considerable success with such useful performers as Highway View, Fort Fox, Fortune Seeker, Sicilian Answer and Atone.

Family
Cox married Sally Brabazon in 1973. His wife is a daughter of renowned  jockey Aubrey Brabazon best known for riding  Cottage Rake to three Cheltenham Gold Cup victories.The couple had four children,one son and three daughters. Cox's daughter, Suzanne, was a point-to-point champion prior to beginning her horsetraining career.