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

THE LATER YEARS

Aldaniti

Copyright Valerie Martin 2002

Aldaniti ran in the Grand National again in 1982.  During the past twelve months he had come on leaps and bounds — but nothing is certain and he fell at the very first fence.

In April 1984, Findon's trainer, David Oughton announced that Peter Double (Andaniti's stable lad) was to join him as stable jockey for the next season.  Peter Double  (a familiar figure around Findon today) had proved to be a capable rider, particularly over fences.   The move was thought to be in the right direction and bring him the number of rides he deserved and he should have had some good class horses to ride in his new yard.  Unfortunately, his career did not take off in the racing world.

A painting of Aldaniti by Clare Eva Burton

Aldaniti had a good reputation for being a "gentle ride". That is with the exception on a particular day when Roy Castle was legged up on his back and landed just behind Aldaniti's saddle — and was immediately bucked off and fell to the ground.  

 

Bob Champion

 

When Aldaniti retired he was still owned by Nick Embiricos but he went to live with Wilf Millam and his wife Beryl at Kirdford in West Sussex.

Aldaniti arrives in his horsebox to open the Findon Village Fête in August 1987.

  

Ladies and Gentlemen I declare this fête well and truly open.

 

On the 6th May 1990, Aldaniti officially opened the newly extended saddlery and countrywear shop, Equitogs, in the Littlehampton Road, Ferring. Hundreds of horse lovers came from around to see him again.

On 13th May 1999, Aldaniti was honoured with a special twentieth birthday party at Sandown Park Racecourse. The aim was to stage a get-together of every legendary National Hunt horse still living. This was in the hope of raising a substantial sum for the Bob Champion Cancer Trust, the target being £250,000.

Do you know what the music is that accompanies Aldaniti's film "Champions"?    The "Champions" music comes from the Olympic Spirit album composed by John Williams and is available on Sony records.

 

 

Aldaniti returns to Findon from his retirement in September 1994 for Josh Gifford's Open Morning at the Downs Stables.

 

 

Josh Gifford giving the commentary on Open Day accompanied by Declan Murphy. Cissbury Ring in the background.

  

Bob Champion accompanies Aldaniti in Findon again for the Open Day.

 

 

Aldaniti on the Open Day.

 

Aldaniti and Bob Champion.

 

 

Nick Embiricos and Bob Champion with Aldaniti. Fifteen years after the big race, Aldaniti is 25 years old in 1995.

 

Aldaniti was in the news again in May 1996. Wilf Millam's party trick was to get the horse to gently take a Polo Mint from between his lips. One day he fished a packet of Polos out of his pocket and was just about to place one between his lips when he noticed it was a funny colour.   "I thought it had been in my pocket too long and got a bit dirty, so I gave it to Aldaniti on the palm of my hand", said Wilf.

 

Aldaniti with Wilf Millam — and a packet of Polo mints.

 

It was only later that Wilf heard about the Polo Mint special promotion. The makers had placed gold coloured Polo mints among the white ones in the packets - on production of which the buyer would get £1,000. Aldaniti had just eaten £1,000 worth of Polo.  "Looks like I lost a windfall there — that'll teach me to read the packet!  I felt a bit of a fool when I realised what had happened, but no sense in getting worked up — it was just one of those things" said Wilf laughing.

 

Aldaniti at Windsor being ridden by the Duchess of York as part of the Aldaniti Aintree Sponsored Walk in March 1987. The ride was around the grounds of Windsor Castle to raise money for a cancer charity.

 

The Duchess of York before mounting Aldaniti in March 1987.

 

The Duchess of York with Aldaniti in March 1987.

 

  

Aldaniti and a kilted Bob Champion pose in Edinburgh outside Holyrood Palace in 1997 on their "Ride for Life" in aid of Cancer Research.

 

Aldaniti and Bob Champion in 1997.

Aldaniti the horse who made fairy-tale history for Findon when he won the 1981 Grand National died in 1997 after enjoying a happy retirement. He was buried just outside the stables where he lived.

Bob Champion, 2003

Continue if you would like to read about 15-year-old Nick Gifford and The Accident.

 

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

E-mail: valeriemartin@findonvillage.com