THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — created by Valerie Martin, contains scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.

AFTER THE RACE

Aldaniti and Bob Champion

Copyright Valerie Martin 2002

 

Bob Champion was the young Yorkshireman who developed cancer at the age of 30 but refused to hang up his whip and boots, and Aldaniti, chestnut which, only 18 months earlier nearly ended his career after a second, severe tendon injury. Josh Gifford was so excited during the big race that he could hardly hold his binoculars to his eyes. He went very quiet when Aldaniti and Bob won the race — he was speechless with tears running down his face.

On the big day at Liverpool, Peter Double (who was the stable lad who "did" for Aldaniti), pushed through the crowds to reach his charge and bring Aldaniti in. When he got to the horse, Bob said to him, "Did you see him jump the Chair?"

 

Peter Double had been so busy that day, he replied,

"I didn't see a thing throughout the race!"

Snowy Davis (who was Josh Gifford's Head lad and had been in racing for some 25 years) had never known a welcome party like it. 

"I couldn't get anywhere near the horse's head.  There was a wall of lunatics in front of me tugging and pulling at Aldaniti and a great big police horse treading o;n my heels.  I'm lucky to have survived to tell the tale".

He eventually managed to push everyone aside and get to his rightful position beside Aldaniti.

All traffic stopped in the village when the Grand National winner returned to Findon.

 

Three thousand people, including hundreds of villagers, jammed the Square on a cold, damp day when the hero was unboxed and made his triumphal walk to the Downs Stables in Stable Lane. Several times he disappeared from view under the torrent of admirers, only to re-emerge again.

 

Aldaniti smiles a winner's smile.

The villagers of Findon crowd into Josh Gifford's yard for an emotional reception to welcome the Grand National heroes back home after the race of a lifetime. Peter Double, the young stable lad who had cared for the horse for three years, struggled through a mass of people to reach his charge.

 

 

A joyful trio — Bob Champion, Josh Gifford and Nick Embiricos — the jockey, the trainer and the owner of Aldaniti.

 

 

Aldaniti with Bob Champion and his lad, Peter Double.

 

By the artist Bryan Organ.

Continue if you would like to read about Aldaniti in The Later Years.

THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created exclusively for documenting life in Findon.

E-mail: valeriemartin@findonvillage.com