08/28/2024
A truly tale for you all!
Never let go of a dream, no matter the odds.
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Bob Champion and Aldaniti winning the Grand National in 1981 by four lengths.
Champion was born in Yorkshire, England in 1948, was surrounded by riders and hunters from the very beginning. His father was an avid huntsman who took young Bob riding frequently. These early experiences instilled in him the love of horses and riding that would eventually continue for the rest of his life.
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. Champion tried his luck racing in America and enjoyed success. But, his career truly took off back in Britain, where he had dreams of winning the Grand National. He raced over the famous Aintree fences eight times after returning to Britain, always keeping his eyes on the big prize.
In 1974, Aldaniti was purchased as an unraced four-year-old. Former champion jockey and newly established trainer, Josh Gifford purchased the 4-year-old gelding for 4,100 guineas but thought he paid too much for him.
Eight months later he went on to win his first race with 33-1 odds with Bob Champion as the jockey. They won by four lengths! Not long after, he was sold, and although he raced four more times that season, he had no more wins.
In 1976, Aldaniti came up lame after a race and was given a year off to recover. In 1977, Aldaniti had a very promising comeback with two more wins! It was at this time that Bob Champion claimed that one day Aldaniti would win the Grand National. However, at the end of 1977, he came up lame for a second time. This time he had chipped two bones in his leg. He spent the next seven months on stall rest.
Aldaniti had made a second full recovery and in 1978 was back to competing at the highest level! At this point in his racing career, Aldaniti had run in 22 races and Bob Champion was his jockey for all of them.
In May 1979, Bob Champion had fallen from Fury Boy at a race. When Bob tried to get up, the horse kicked him. Amazingly, Bob was able to get up, remount the horse, and still went on to win the race!
After seeking medical advice two months later, in July of 1979, Bob was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Doctors told him he had a maximum of eight months to live, with only a 40% chance of survival. Bob decided he had beaten worse odds before and began chemotherapy treatment.
Meanwhile, Aldaniti was running well, and his trainer was planning on running him in the 1980 Grand National. This gave Bob a great incentive to beat his illness.
During the first race of the 1980 season, another jockey rode Aldaniti. Unfortunately, Aldaniti pulled up lame for the third time. This time he sustained a severe tendon injury. Aldaniti's trainer and vet thought it would be best to put him down. However, his owner would not hear it and spent the entire year of 1980 rehabbing him.
Meanwhile, Bob had left the hospital and was recovering at home. But the treatment had left him so weak that he could hardly stand. However, Bob kept hold of his dream of riding Aldaniti to a Grand National victory and pushed through.
By August of 1980, Bob was strong enough to return to his old job. A month later he rode a different horse to a win. Bob's future was looking good!
Defying all odds, Aldaniti had recovered so well, that in December of 1980, he was back in training. All sights were set on the 1981 Grand National race.
Aldaniti was given one race to prepare for the Grand National. He won that race.
On a sunny day in April 1981, Bob Champion and Aldaniti lined up for the Grand National race. They were the second favorite out of 39 runners with 10-1 odds. After the 11th fence, they had moved to the lead and kept it until they passed the winning post.
Bob Champion had beaten cancer and Aldaniti had recovered from 3 leg injuries. The pair had defied all odds to seal themselves in the record books!
In 1982 Aldaniti was retired and Bob continued racing until 1983. He had 500 wins to his name.
In 1984, Bob's story was turned into the feature film "Champions." The movie depicts his life story from his diagnosis through his triumphant win with Aldaniti. Aldaniti was played by himself.
After retiring from racing, Bob focused on training horses and running the Bob Champion Cancer Trust; a charity that has raised millions of pounds for cancer research. Bob continues to raise money to this day.
Aldaniti died in 1997 from old age at 27 years old.
Bob Champion and Aldaniti's story continues to inspire people to this day. A story that says, "Never let go of a dream, no matter the odds!"
