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Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Times
Stan Hayhurst obituary: Gold Cup-winning jockey in infamous pile-up
Stan Hayhurst's glittering achievement as a jockey was winning the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in 1958. He is best remembered, however, for his involvement in the Grand National nine years later, when his horse, Castle Falls, finished a mere 14th. He was alongside his friend Johnny Leech at the head of the field on the second circuit of Aintree, having jumped Becher's Brook, and now running towards the less challenging 23rd fence. What ensued was the most spectacular pile-up ever seen in a Grand National. 'My fella got stuck on top of the fence,' said Hayhurst. 'Then, with the horses coming behind, he got pushed over. I made off like a sprinter 'cos I thought, Christ, 40 horses are coming and I've got to get out of here. I ran off to the side, turned round and wondered what was going on.' Nearly all the field was involved in the incident. Jockeys were forced to dismount and other horses refused to take the fence or crashed into one another. Not, however, a 100-1 outsider, Foinavon, which, through being in last place, survived the mêlée and had a straightforward triumph. Hayhurst managed to remount Castle Falls and finish the race. 'Terry Biddlecombe came over on Greek Scholar and shouted: 'Come on, lads, there's only one gone on.' So everyone remounted and eventually I got round.' He was fortunate not to add to his tally of breakages, for in his 23-year riding career he suffered six broken collar bones as well as fractures to his ribs, his jaw and a wrist and had his Adam's apple displaced, affecting his swallowing for several days. His sole protection when young was a cork helmet without a chin strap. It did not concern him, for his National Service had been spent with the Veterinary Corps of the British Army as a dog-handler in Kenya, trying to quell the Mau Mau uprising. Risk-taking was an everyday occurrence and did not deter his family, either: one of his two daughters became a stuntwoman on film and television sets and was knocked down by a car in an episode of Coronation Street. Hayhurst, always based in the north of England, rode 301 winners and retired when he was 40. At Cheltenham in 1958, he rode Kerstin, 'a little bit cranky and touchy but a very good jumper. I won by half a length and didn't hear the horse behind me that finished in second place as there was such a noise from the crowd. There were no presentations as happens now, no reporters asking questions and no overnight celebrations. We all went off to the next meeting.' The following year, Hayhurst won the Hennessy Gold Cup on Kerstin, having been unfortunate not to fare better in the Grand National seven months beforehand, when they were hit by Mainstown in a mid-air collision at Becher's Brook on the second circuit. They were then six lengths behind the eventual winner. This was perhaps Hayhurst's biggest regret. It was to be a further eight years before he rode again in the National, and for the penultimate time. 'Stan was a solid, reliable citizen, almost too mild to be a jockey, but a very complete horseman,' said Brough Scott, the racing commentator. Stanley Hayhurst was born in 1933, the son of Alexander Hayhurst, a dairy herdsman, and his wife, Lena, who delivered milk in a pony and trap. He was educated at the village school in Riding Mill, Northumberland, leaving at 15 to work for Fred Milburn, a nearby landowner. 'As my father worked on a farm, animals were always going to be a part of my life,' he said. He became apprenticed for four years to Major Calverley Bewicke, a trainer, wine merchant and country house cricketer, starting work in the yard at 5.30am. On his rare time off, he would cycle the 12 miles back home from Wylam to see his parents, 'who would give me ten bob to see me through'. Hayhurst's first triumph was for Bewicke at Hexham in 1950. He wanted to remain in England during his National Service but could not claim the exemption of being tied to animals on the land. 'Going to Africa took two years out of my career,' he said. 'So I was always second jockey.' He had one ride in Kenya and, back in England, returned to Bewicke, for whom he was to ride 120 winners. Before long he encountered Arkle, the best horse he saw. 'I was riding Border Ring in a novice chase at Cheltenham, Arkle's first start over fences,' he said. 'Going down the backside, Bill Rees was constantly jumping right on one of Peter Cazalet's. Going to the fence after water, Pat Taaffe on Arkle and I were upsides, and he said: 'Jaysus, I'm going to get out of this.' He kicked him in the belly and in five strides was ten lengths in front. Afterwards I said 'What won that?', but I needn't have asked.' In 1963, Hayhurst married Patricia Nisbet, whom he met in a pub in Northumberland. She and their two daughters survive him: Justine worked as a nanny and then for Henrietta Knight, the trainer, and Claire is a yoga teacher as well as a stuntwoman. After retiring as a jockey in 1973, Hayhurst was briefly a judge at horse races before becoming a steward. He owned two newsagents and a livery yard in Ebchester, Co Durham. He rarely went on holiday and, although he followed cricket, the only other time he took off was Christmas Day. His ashes will be scattered in September at the winning post at Hexham, the scene of his first winner. Ian Watkinson, who competed with Hayhurst, said: 'Stan was a great bloke and a fine example of how jockeys should dress and behave.' Stan Hayhurst, jockey, was born on September 4, 1933. He died of natural causes on July 2, 2025, aged 91
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Charles ‘working on' producing a contender for the Derby
The King has said he is working on producing a runner for one of the greatest spectacles in the racing calendar – the Derby. Charles's comment came when he and the Queen visited the Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket, the heart of the horse racing industry, after touring the nearby National Stud. The couple went on a meet and greet with the public after more than a 1,000 people flocked to the Suffolk town's centre and the King, who is receiving ongoing cancer treatment, spoke about his health. Lee Harman, 54, from Bury St Edmunds, said: 'I asked him how he was, and he said he was feeling a lot better now and that it was 'just one of those things'.' After telling Charles about his own cancer issues, Mr Harman said: 'He asked me how I was and I said 'I'm all good', I got the all clear from cancer last year.' Thoroughbreds owned by the late Queen won four out of the five flat racing classics – the 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas, the Oaks twice and the St Leger – with only the Derby eluding her. Now it appears the King, who took on Elizabeth II's stable of horses with his wife, is aiming to have a thoroughbred ready. As he toured the Jockey Club Rooms, a retreat for members and the public, he chatted to his racing manager John Warren, Jockey Club staff and members, and some of the chairs of racecourses run by the club, which include Newmarket, Epsom, Aintree and Cheltenham. Brian Finch, chairman of Epsom Downs Racecourse, home to the world-famous Derby, said after speaking to the King: 'We were talking about him getting a Derby runner and he said 'we're working on it'. 'Everybody is hoping the royal family will have a Derby winner soon.' Earlier when the royal couple met well-wishers in Newmarket town centre, Charles was questioned by a member of the anti-monarchy group Republic – who was among the crowds. In a video released by the organisation, a man can be heard asking the King: 'Why does your family cost us half a billion pounds a year Charles?' – a reference to claims made in a Republic report released last year, but the King does not respond directly only saying 'ah yes' and moving on. The royal couple had begun their day by touring the National Stud, part of the Jockey Club Group, that offers stud services to the racing industry. They were shown four resident stallions including Stradivarius, who has career earnings of more than £3.4 million and won three successive Gold Cup victories at Royal Ascot.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Grand National legend and ‘amazing woman' whose fairytale horse won a BBC SPOTY award dies at home aged 92
A GRAND NATIONAL legend and 'amazing woman' whose fairytale horse won a BBC SPOTY award has died at her home aged 92. Tributes have poured in for Valda Embiricos, who co-owned 1981 Aintree hero Aldaniti with her late husband Nick. Advertisement 2 Valda Embiricos, right, died at home aged 92 after a remarkable life in racing which included winning the world's most famous race 2 Aldaniti and Bob Champion's 1981 Grand National victory was one of the best sporting stories of the century Credit: PA:Press Association Aldaniti and jockey Bob Champion completed 'one of the greatest sporting stories' ever 44 years ago when they won the world's most famous race. Champion had beaten cancer and Aldaniti had miraculously recovered from a leg injury so severe vets thought he would never run again. Their unforgettable win at odds of 10-1 was turned into a film starring John Hurt. And Champion and Aldaniti even won the BBC Team of the Year award at the 1981 SPOTY bash. Advertisement Nick died in 2018 aged 81 and Champion remembered them both as 'just the most lovely owners who were a lot of fun too'. The Her daughter Alex, a former trainer and jockey, told the Post: "Mum was invincible, strong, fearsome, kind, patient, fair, stubborn, a fighter. "Her will to live and to give was relentless to the very end. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing "If mum was an elephant she would be the matriarch of all matriarchs. "She had a long, incredible and amazing life. "I beg that I can try to fill those bottomless boots but I fear an espadrille is all I will manage." Valda maintained a love of racing throughout her life and still had runners this year. Advertisement The Good Doctor, running under The Aldaniti Partnership banner, is trained by Ben Pauling and they had a win together at Fontwell as recently as 18 months ago. The Cheltenham Festival-winning handler said: "Valda has been an incredibly special person to myself and my wife Sophie. "She lived a wonderful life and was an incredibly courageous lady." While a message from the racecourse posted on Facebook read: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Valda Embiricos at the age of 92. Advertisement "A remarkable woman whose support and passion for jump racing left an enduring legacy at Fontwell Park and beyond." Punters were quick to pay tribute as well. One wrote on X: "Very sad… but what a life!" Read more on the Irish Sun While another commented: "Very sad news." Advertisement Valda leaves daughter Alex, sons Alastair and Euan, stepson Nick and four grandchildren.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Grand National legend and ‘amazing woman' whose fairytale horse won a BBC SPOTY award dies at home aged 92
She leaves an untouchable legacy in the sport REST IN PEACE Grand National legend and 'amazing woman' whose fairytale horse won a BBC SPOTY award dies at home aged 92 A GRAND NATIONAL legend and 'amazing woman' whose fairytale horse won a BBC SPOTY award has died at her home aged 92. Tributes have poured in for Valda Embiricos, who co-owned 1981 Aintree hero Aldaniti with her late husband Nick. 2 Valda Embiricos, right, died at home aged 92 after a remarkable life in racing which included winning the world's most famous race 2 Aldaniti and Bob Champion's 1981 Grand National victory was one of the best sporting stories of the century Credit: PA:Press Association Aldaniti and jockey Bob Champion completed 'one of the greatest sporting stories' ever 44 years ago when they won the world's most famous race. Champion had beaten cancer and Aldaniti had miraculously recovered from a leg injury so severe vets thought he would never run again. Their unforgettable win at odds of 10-1 was turned into a film starring John Hurt. And Champion and Aldaniti even won the BBC Team of the Year award at the 1981 SPOTY bash. Nick died in 2018 aged 81 and Champion remembered them both as 'just the most lovely owners who were a lot of fun too'. The Racing Post reported Valda's passing, which came at her home Barkfold Manor Stud in West Sussex last Wednesday. Her daughter Alex, a former trainer and jockey, told the Post: "Mum was invincible, strong, fearsome, kind, patient, fair, stubborn, a fighter. "Her will to live and to give was relentless to the very end. "If mum was an elephant she would be the matriarch of all matriarchs. "She had a long, incredible and amazing life. "I beg that I can try to fill those bottomless boots but I fear an espadrille is all I will manage." Valda maintained a love of racing throughout her life and still had runners this year. The Good Doctor, running under The Aldaniti Partnership banner, is trained by Ben Pauling and they had a win together at Fontwell as recently as 18 months ago. The Cheltenham Festival-winning handler said: "Valda has been an incredibly special person to myself and my wife Sophie. "She lived a wonderful life and was an incredibly courageous lady." While a message from the racecourse posted on Facebook read: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Valda Embiricos at the age of 92. "A remarkable woman whose support and passion for jump racing left an enduring legacy at Fontwell Park and beyond." Punters were quick to pay tribute as well. One wrote on X: "Very sad… but what a life!" While another commented: "Very sad news." Valda leaves daughter Alex, sons Alastair and Euan, stepson Nick and four grandchildren.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Grand National legend and ‘amazing woman' whose fairytale horse won a BBC SPOTY award dies at home aged 92
A GRAND NATIONAL legend and 'amazing woman' whose fairytale horse won a BBC SPOTY award has died at her home aged 92. Tributes have poured in for Valda Embiricos, who co-owned 1981 Aintree hero Aldaniti with her late husband Nick. 2 2 Aldaniti and jockey Bob Champion completed 'one of the greatest sporting stories' ever 44 years ago when they won the world's most famous race. Champion had beaten cancer and Aldaniti had miraculously recovered from a leg injury so severe vets thought he would never run again. Their unforgettable win at odds of 10-1 was turned into a film starring John Hurt. And Champion and Aldaniti even won the BBC Team of the Year award at the 1981 SPOTY bash. Nick died in 2018 aged 81 and Champion remembered them both as 'just the most lovely owners who were a lot of fun too'. The Racing Post reported Valda's passing, which came at her home Barkfold Manor Stud in West Sussex last Wednesday. Her daughter Alex, a former trainer and jockey, told the Post: "Mum was invincible, strong, fearsome, kind, patient, fair, stubborn, a fighter. "Her will to live and to give was relentless to the very end. "If mum was an elephant she would be the matriarch of all matriarchs. "She had a long, incredible and amazing life. "I beg that I can try to fill those bottomless boots but I fear an espadrille is all I will manage." Valda maintained a love of racing throughout her life and still had runners this year. The Good Doctor, running under The Aldaniti Partnership banner, is trained by Ben Pauling and they had a win together at Fontwell as recently as 18 months ago. The Cheltenham Festival-winning handler said: "Valda has been an incredibly special person to myself and my wife Sophie. "She lived a wonderful life and was an incredibly courageous lady." While a message from the racecourse posted on Facebook read: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Valda Embiricos at the age of 92. "A remarkable woman whose support and passion for jump racing left an enduring legacy at Fontwell Park and beyond." Punters were quick to pay tribute as well. One wrote on X: "Very sad… but what a life!" Valda leaves daughter Alex, sons Alastair and Euan, stepson Nick and four grandchildren.
