Grand National winner Graham Lee reflects on "emotional" reunion with old friend
Lee was touched by The Good Racing Company's idea to bring his Ascot Gold Cup hero Trip To Paris to an event where the former jockey received £40,000 to help fund life enhancing equipment
Grand National jockey Graham Lee has reflected on an "emotional" surprise reunion with one of his best racehorses. The 49-year-old met his 2015 Ascot Gold Cup hero at an event organised by fundraising syndicate The Good Racing Company.
Lee, who had a life-changing accident at Newcastle Racecourse in November 2023, received a £40,000 donation from the charity racing club to fund treatment and equipment.
"Meeting Trip to Paris again was so unexpected and so emotional," he said.
"He's as full character now he was then. The whole day was immense and it was amazing to see firsthand the work that The Good Racing Company does. I'd like to give my heartfelt thanks for the £40,000 that it raised to help me continue my rehabilitation.'
A decade ago in June, Lee claimed Royal Ascot's most prestigious contest when Ed Dunlop-trained stayer Trip To Paris scored at odds of 12-1.
Eleven years earlier his Grand National horse Amberleigh House finished with a flourish to bag the Aintree highlight over its unique spruce-fenced course.
Lee is the only rider to have won both races, having switched to race on the flat in 2012 during a long and distinguished career.
The Good Racing Company has sold shares in horse We've Got This, named by his wife Becky shortly after the accident.
The money will help Lee's rehabilitation from spinal injuries which left him paralysed from the waist down.
Director of Racing at The Good Racing Company Paul Hanagan said 'It was very emotional handing over the donation to Graham and his family. Graham and I were weighing room colleagues for over 12 years and I feel blessed to count him as a good friend. This donation will give Graham much needed and life enhancing treatment and equipment.'
Phil Hawthorne, founder of The Good Racing Company says: 'The Good Racing Company would like to thank all of the members, supporters and business partners for their continued support that has helped us achieve this fantastic charity donation.'
We've Got This raced five times last year and placed on four occasions. She has made an encouraging reappearance and is being primed to win this season by trainer Ivan Furtado.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Prince William tipped to hand over role 'he's never felt comfortable with'
Prince William is already said to be mulling over big decisions about changes he will make when he becomes King, with Zara Tindall tipped to be given an important job that has never be an real interest for William Prince William is already said to be mulling over big decisions about how he will revolutionise and modernise the royal family when he becomes King, including which members of the Firm will be handed important roles. While many senior working royals are expected to take a step back from their royal duties in the coming years as they get older, William is said to already be scouting who would be a good fit for certain royal responsibilities. According to one insider, who has a close relationship with William and the royal family at large, he has already selected one royal to take over a role he had "never felt comfortable with" when he ascends to the throne. A well-placed royal source revealed that one job William is keen to delegate when he becomes King is the racing responsibilities, and could hand them off to his cousin Zara Tindall. William doesn't share the same love of horse racing held by King Charles and Queen Camilla, with the family's passion for horses and racing stemming back to the late Queen Elizabeth. Zara, a former Olympian equestrian like her mother Princess Anne, may take up the reins of the royal racing calendar, given that it is a role Prince William has 'never felt comfortable with'. The royal source told The Times: 'I never get the feeling the whole top hat and racing is really his thing, and he's said as much. He's never really seemed comfortable doing it.' A source close to William added that 'he understands how important Ascot is, not just to the racing community but to UK plc', but will not be as hands on with Royal Ascot and the royal stud at Sandringham as monarchs have been in the past. Despite not being a big racing fan, William attended the second day of Royal Ascot last week, riding in the carriage solo after Princess Kate pulled out of attending at the last minute. William also rode on horseback during Trooping the Colour, in order to honour his father on the day of his official birthday celebrations. While Zara is tipped to hold a more major royal role when William becomes King, other non-working royal family members have also said to have been put forward to have a more senior capacity when he ascends the throne. Zara's husband Mike, Zara's brother Peter Phillips and the York sisters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, are all expected to step up when William becomes King, it has been reported. While none of them are currently working royals, they have been spotted supporting William and other senior members of the royal family at various events over the last year. With the Duke of Kent, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and the Princess Royal all expected to scale back their royal duties in the coming years as they get older, William is also expected to lean on Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie as senior royals, while he decides which members of his family he will ask to step into more prominent roles.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Secrets of Princess Eugenie's new toned look: How mother-of-two got into the best shape of her life - after admitting her struggle to 'shake baby weight'
Princess Eugenie ripped up the royal rule book in style at the weekend as she showed off her toned figure at Royal Ascot. Instead of her usual flowing frocks, Eugenie chose to highlight her slim physique in somewhat of an unusual choice for a royal - a crop top. The 35-year-old posed proudly in the short, brown top and cinched, high-waisted skirt in a photograph shared to Instagram. Following the birth of her two children - August, four, in 2021, and Ernest, two, in 2023 - the art gallery director is seemingly redefining her style to highlight her increasingly toned figure. While Eugenie tends to keep information on her fitness regime private, she has previously shared details regarding how she likes to stay healthy. Ahead of her royal wedding to Jack Brooksbank in 2018, Eugenie embarked on a dedicated fitness regime that saw her get up every day at 6.45AM so she could start exercising by 7AM. 'I go to the park from seven to eight. I do circuits, which I love because they're quick: burpees, squat jumps, lunges, the whole lot,' she told Harper's Bazaar. 'It's much better, as I can't run for a long time. Or I go with my best friend to this amazing, women-only gym called Grace Belgravia.' Eugenie is pictured with her husband Jack Brooksbank earlier this year - she previously opened up about her fitness regime ahead of their 208 wedding Grace Belgravia in London's Knightsbridge offers everything from GP services to dinner and a massage under one roof, exclusively for women. The very swanky club houses Britain's top celebrity facialist, leading nutritionists, personal trainers - and even gynaecologists - within its 11,500 square feet of serene surroundings. In addition to working out, Eugenie reportedly once hired the help of a nutritionist for diet advice. According to the Daily Mail's Consultant Showbusiness Editor, Katie Hind, Eugenie previously sought the expertise of nutritionist Gabriella Peacock. Gabriella, a former model who has worked as a nutritional therapist for over a decade, is often considered to be high society's nutritionist, and Prince Harry also reportedly hired her ahead of his nuptials. The nutritionist, based in the Cotswolds, offers a range of powders with names such as Slim Me, Clean Me, and Protein Me. Elsewhere, in 2023, Eugenie opened up about the pressure to get her figure back after pregnancy in conversation with Jessie and Lennie Ware on the Table Manners podcast. 'On the post-baby body thing - it sends me mad, but I find it really hard to shake baby weight,' she said. In conversation with Harper's Bazaar, Eugenie previously revealed that she enjoys doing exercise circuits to stay fit (seen during Paris Fashion Week in January, 2024) She added, 'I guess society dictates that you have to shake your baby weight and all that stuff.' The royal explained that she had given up dairy and gluten in support of her husband Jack Brooksbank who was advised to cut them from his diet by a gut specialist because he was suffering from migraines. The couple now split their time between the UK and Portugal, which gives the family to live an outdoorsy lifestyle. And just two years after she welcomed her youngest child into the world, Eugenie appears happier than ever, and put on an elegant display at Royal Ascot last week. Her beaming mother, Sarah, Duchess of York, who was persona non grata among the Royals for years until King Charles softened the approach towards Prince Andrew's ex, looked fashionable in a trendy monochrome polka dot frock. Not to be outdone, Camilla, 77, oozed glamour in a white chiffon dress with embroidered flowers from Anna Valentine, paired with a feathered Philip Treacy hat. The King and Queen were joined by Camilla's old school friend Lady Cavendish and her husband Lord Cavendish in their coach during the traditional carriage procession along the course. Among the guests travelling in the carriages were the former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad, the Queen's Companion the Marchioness of Lansdowne and musical maestro Lord Lloyd-Webber. Eugenie's husband Jack was also spotted in the parade ring alongside former defence secretary Ben Wallace when the royal procession arrived in the exclusive area. The late Queen was a passionate owner and breeder of thoroughbreds and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign. Charles and Camilla have taken on her stable of horses and enjoyed their first Royal Ascot winner in 2023 when their horse Desert Hero triumphed in the King George V Stakes. His Majesty's appearance came after the Princess of Wales sparked concern as she pulled out of attending the festival last Wednesday, apparently at the last minute. But royal sources insisted there was nothing to worry about and that it was simply a case of crossed wires. Aides also stressed that Catherine was continuing to 'balance her return to public life' following her cancer diagnosis last year, after which she made clear that she would resume her duties with a slow and measured approach. The mini-drama came as her husband, Prince William, handed out the prize for the Prince of Wales stakes at the racecourse in Berkshire. Executives at Ascot had expected the princess to join him, travelling down in the carriage procession from Windsor Castle with King Charles and Queen Camilla. At 12pm they issued the procession list for the day, featuring the Prince and Princess of Wales in the second carriage after the King and Queen. But 22 minutes later, guidance was issued which said Catherine would not be attending. It is understood an 'inaccurate version' of the list was 'issued in error'. An updated list was circulated and Lord Soames – a good friend of the King – lost his seat to make way for William in the first carriage with Charles and Camilla. They were also joined by Saudi's Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Saud. Sources stressed there was 'no cause for alarm' and Catherine was following guidance palace aides have always given: that she would 'balance her return to public duties', following appearances at Trooping the Colour and the Order of the Garter service. They added that she was 'disappointed' not to attend but 'has to find the right balance'. Catherine, 43, had abdominal surgery last January, after which she was told cancer had been present, forcing her to undergo preventive chemotherapy. At the beginning of this year she revealed she was in remission and would begin a slow and measured return to royal life. While Catherine was not present at Ascot, Charles and Camilla were there for the second day running and plan to attend all week.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Field Of Gold, Los Angeles, More Thunder – Horses don't win for lots of reasons and I'll always say it as I see it
It's a lot more nuanced than it seems MATT CHAPMAN Field Of Gold, Los Angeles, More Thunder – Horses don't win for lots of reasons and I'll always say it as I see it Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ON Monday there was yet another article in horse racing's trade newspaper calling on TV pundits to call out more so-called bad rides. The hypocrisy is quite something. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Field Of Gold has looked sensational since his 2000 Guineas defeat Credit: PA It comes on the back of ITV's Johnny Murtagh very much questioning the ride of subsequent Royal Ascot winner Havana Hurricane in a juvenile race at Epsom on Derby Day. Oh well. This kind of article is what is called clickbait. You write something you know people will like without putting much thought into the topic. It's 'lowest common denominator journalism'. In some ways I'm doing the same here! I know people will loath what I'm penning and will just say I'm typical of the problem. You just have to smile. I am, though, in a pretty good position to discuss the topic. It's rare I analyse rides in great depth in my current roles. But ten years ago it was just about all I did. Then, almost all my work was studio-based - rather than reporting and interviewing - and every day my job was to dissect races. This latest article in the trade paper once again harked back to Field Of Gold and the 2000 Guineas. And it compared racing analysis with that in football. At the essence of why these articles are merely clickbait is the writer is basically saying: "I think so and so was a bad ride so you should as well. And if you don't you are wrong." What, of course, everyone should actually want is a TV presenter who says what they believe, rather than what someone thinks they should believe. It all goes further than that, however, and the root issue is: What is a bad ride? Is a bad ride simply one that most feel should have won, for instance? Of course not. Horses don't win for lots of reasons. A rider can just be unlucky, time their run a second or a few strides too late or miss the break. Are they bad rides? In footballing terms, calling out every horse who should have done better would be like saying every pass that doesn't go direct to another player is a bad pass. A football commentator would spend 90 minutes stating the same thing over and over. In this case it was Field Of Gold again. A defeat which can be explained for many totally sensible reasons for all that another day the horse would clearly have won. Oddly, the writer said nothing about White Birch in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, or Los Angeles in the Prince of Wales's Stakes, or More Thunder in the Wokingham. Or the countless other losers I could mention. Were they all bad rides, or unlucky? Or did they suffer defeat due to something else? Should a TV presenter have gone mad about those as well? And why hasn't the trade paper written article after article about them? After all, it's that publication that is calling for more to be said. It seems to pick its targets very carefully. If a footballer scores a penalty - top left-hand corner - that is impossible to save, we would surely all agree it's a good penalty? In contrast, if a goalkeeper stands still and the penalty taker just scoops it into their hands, I would presume we would all agree that was a bad penalty? But, in the first scenario, at what stage as that ball gets closer to the fingertips of a goalkeeper does it become a bad penalty? There are many degrees along the scale from good to bad with plenty of reasoning in between. As a pundit I have always just said what I see. That's what I think all pundits should do. And if that is not what social media or certain journalists agree with, then so be it. But that's being real to a viewer. It's many times more honest than just reacting to what the masses feel. For me a truly bad ride is one where a horse never seems to have been put into a race. One where a jockey drops their hands for a place. One where a rider clearly goes off too fast. And yes, sometimes, when a horse should have won that didn't - and I can't think of any reasons why what happened took place. Not every losing ride on a horse that probably should have won is a bad ride. If that's what you want from TV pundits then good luck to you. The sport is a little more complicated than that. And that's the beauty of it all. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
