Aldaniti - A True Grand National Great

One of the most emotional stories connected with the Grand National occurred in the 1981 version of the race when Aldaniti scored a thrilling victory.

Behind most National winners is a story and this is one that tugs at the heart strings more than most, with both horse and jockey – Bob Champion – fighting back from injury and illness to take part in the Grand National. There was hardly a dry eye among the crowd when Aldaniti won the Grand National in 1981. It was a victory for both courage and determination in the face of adversity. Indeed, those looking at the Grand National latest odds at the time wouldn't have given them much chance.

Two years previously to riding Aldaniti in the 1981 Grand National, Bob Champion was diagnosed with cancer and given only a few months to live. While he started that battle which was to last 18 months, his eventual partner in the National was suffering from leg trouble and was almost retired on numerous occasions. While Champion was undergoing his chemotherapy treatment the horse was being nursed back to full fitness by his trainer, Josh Gifford.

Remarkably the pairing made it to the start of the 1981 National and after making mistakes at the first two fences, Aldaniti and Champion adjusted to the fences and soon found themselves leading the entire field.  The pairing
pressed on jumping in spectacular and fluent style from fence-to-fence and against all the odds, the gallant partnership held on to beat Spartan Missile, ridden by John Thorne, a 54-year-old grandfather and amateur rider. Even those who hadn't backed the horse in the Grand National betting would have been delighted by events.

The story was like a film script and it eventually made it onto the silver screen in 1983 when the film Champions was made starring John Hurt in the lead role.

Bob Champion having made his recovery has devoted a great deal of his time since raising money for various Cancer charities.

Bob Champion and Aldaniti – two true legends of Aintree.