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The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Grand National trainer and ex-jockey comes out of retirement to ride against wife, son and daughter in the same race
A GRAND NATIONAL trainer and former champion jockey is coming out of retirement to ride against his wife, son and daughter in a famous Newmarket race. Welsh handler Tim Vaughan is gearing up for a true family affair in the Town Plate - the world's longest Flat contest. 2 In what is thought to be a British first in racing, four members of the same family will do battle in the charity bash. Run over a massive 3m6f, it's a distance Vaughan is more used to as a trainer of staying chasers. In fact, Vaughan had hopes of winning the world's most famous race in 2023 when Eva's Oskar was running a beauty. The 50-1 outsider was rolling along nicely at Aintree under Alan Johns when fate cruelly intervened and he unseated his rider at the 21st fence. Vaughan, a former chartered surveyor who is based just outside Cardiff, has combined training with a tough fitness regime as he gets ready to race again. He was Champion Welsh point-to-point jockey many moons ago and rode 117 winners between the flags. Now a Grade 1-winning trainer, his son Edward has shown plenty of skill in the saddle too. Daughter Grace knows what she is doing on horseback as well, while wife Abbi won a charity race at Chepstow a few years ago. Vaughan told the Racing Post it had been 'carnage' in the house ahead of the race on Auguse 23. The mindgames have well and truly begun - and Vaughan, 45, has been hitting the gym in a bit to shift some weight. It's proved successful - he's lost two stone since he started working out. Vaughan said: "It's been real fun, we've been winding each other up and I'm trying to pick the fastest horse so that I win. "We've had such a good time getting there, there's been so much camaraderie already. "We've got four horses lined up and I'm definitely the most bullish as I'm choosing the horses. "Me and Ed have a lot of competition for it, the girls are a little less aggressive. "Ed thought Grace's was faster the other day and tried jocking her off, I'm trying to jock Abbi off and we're all scrambling! "It's been carnage, things have been getting heated in the house. "It's got me fitter and sharper, we're all pumped." 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:
The Sun
22-07-2025
- 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.
