Aldaniti: The Story of a Champion

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He took me into a fence, it wasn't me taking him - he loved every second." 'I didn't have time to celebrate' In the event that Aldaniti has actual knowledge that the information or activity to which the user is directed from said links is illegal, constitutes an offence or may be damaging to the goods or rights of a third party liable for compensation, it shall act with the necessary diligence to delete or disable the corresponding link as soon as possible.

In 1979, Bob Champion was diagnosed with testicular cancer. In true Champion fashion, Bob refused to believe that his doctors were correct. It was the year of Red Rum versus Crisp,” says Bob. “To me that was the bees’ knees, to get round in the greatest National there’s ever been.” Most people who have been diagnosed with cancer and told that they will most likely die within months would take some time away from work. Not Bob Champion. But then he hit the buffers: Josh’s horses hit a poor run of form, and owners began to doubt Bob’s ability. “I was getting no rides whatsoever,” he remembers. “Honestly, I don’t think I was as good as I was before – my lung capacity was damaged and I had to work harder to get fit. But Josh stood by me.”He was bred by Tommy Barron in Yorkshire and named after his four grandchildren – Alastair, David, Nicola and Timothy. Unfortunately, Champion’s treatment had not been easy on his body. A large-scale infection nearly claimed his life and he was forced to put off his Grand National ambitions temporarily. The 1981 Grand National Picture by Jason Roberts...... Racing legend Bob Champion walks the course on media day ready for the 2013 Grand National meeting at Aintree racecourse. He stubbornly insisted that there was a mistake in the diagnosis. The diagnosis wasn’t wrong. Doctors gave Champion a maximum of eight months to live, with only a 40 percent chance of survival. He broke down and had injuries for about four times in his life. He spent more time in his box than he did on the racecourse.

It was agonising the way it was going wrong,” remembers Brough Scott, who counselled his old friend that perhaps it was time to quit. “But thank God he didn’t listen to me. He said, ‘There’s this horse called Aldaniti… he’s going to win the National.’ Stubbornness is a good thing sometimes.” I sat on him once for the TV before he went to Liverpool and one morning in Liverpool, then the Grand Naitonal.”Since retiring from racing, Bob’s career has encompassed everything from training – “I had a winner over the National fences which meant an awful lot to me” – to being a roving ambassador for the British Racing School, and various TV show appearances. But barely a month goes by when he isn’t out supporting the Trust. Then his father (Peter) never won a National, but he and his partner (Lucinda Russell) trained a National winner, One For Arthur. Because of his history of leg injuries, Josh gave him minimal preparatory runs. He had had only one run in 17 months before his National win. But I kept my head down and you know, the further I went the further I was going to win and it wasn’t till after the race. I knew it was Spartan Missile, because I asked somebody coming in what was second.” Bob Champion and Aldaniti are given a heroes welcome after winning the 1981 Grand National. Credit- The Bob Champion Cancer Trust. As you might imagine, Aldaniti achieved peak form when it was the winner of the ’81 Grand National. After running amok at the Ascot Racecourse in the February beforehand, it maintained a considerable level of form into the Grand National itself. As 10/1 second favourite, it’s incredible return from injury – alongside Champion – made it the neutrals hero. Taking the lead on the 11 th and continuing on during the whole race, it won by a whole four lengths.

On cancer awareness, Champion said: “The most important thing is, if you think there’s something wrong, go and see a doctor, and it hasn’t been very good through the pandemic.John Francome: “Bob could walk into the weighing room, have a cup of tea and a sandwich and then he’d assure you he hadn’t eaten for two days. He loved his food and genuinely would think that he hadn’t eaten. But he’s just the nicest person.” But Champion – who, for the last 40 years has raised millions through his cancer charity, the Bob Champion Trust, for which he received an CBE in the New Year’s Honours List following on from his MBE given by the Queen in 1982 – never gave up hope of returning to the saddle. We initially had a few thousand pounds sent in from people who won money on the horse. There were a lot of fivers here and there,” said Champion. As well as his book and the film, Champion was surprised by presenter Eamonn Andrews for the television show, This Is Your Life, on his wedding day later that year.

At only 15 years old, Bob Champion won his first horse race. After his initial taste of victory, he continued to race on the National Hunt circuit. It will not be the same (with no spectators). (But) the main thing is that the race is on. It has a massive following throughout the world. I think my National was viewed by 400,000million people worldwide. So it is the same or even more every National."

Coming in four-and-a-half lengths ahead of the competition, Champion and Aldaniti beat the odds and made history. The Reaction What happened next cemented Botham’s name in legend. He came to the crease with his team at 105 for 5, and in need of 122 runs to avoid an innings defeat. The then 26-year-old delivered a sensational innings of 149 not out. The injury to Aldaniti was so serious that there was talk of putting the horse down and Champion toyed with giving up racing altogether. Everyone asked, ‘Do you want to pull Niti out of the National?’” remembers Alex Embiricos. “But it was Dad’s dream, and Bob’s dream to win it..”