Aldaniti: The Story of a Champion

Product Information

Aldaniti (by Derek H) could pull like a tank and yet was gentle enough to let 11-year-old Alex Embiricos groom him when on box rest. The then top National Hunt rider had been diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1979 and had to have an operation to remove the diseased testicle before lengthy chemotherapy.

Aldaniti miraculously recovered from the injury that could’ve ended his career with trainer Josh Gifford who the 1984 movie Champions referred to as “the governor,” riding him out every day. A dream that lay dormant had been reignited. I sat on him once for the TV before he went to Liverpool and one morning in Liverpool, then the Grand Naitonal.” Most people who have been diagnosed with cancer and told that they will most likely die within months would take some time away from work. Not Bob Champion. Then a doctor translated his chances into racing odds, and it sounded like a bet that Bob would take. These early experiences instilled in him the love of horses and riding that would eventually carry him to a Grand National triumph.Champion, 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. In 1979, Champion was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Doctors gave Champion a 30% chance of surviving and three to four months to live. Doctors advised that he may have only around eight months to live if he did not immediately begin a powerful course of treatment. Initially, Bob did not think much of the 30% chance of survival they gave him. Josh Gifford – “the most loyal trainer there’s ever been,” according to Bob – was unstinting in his support. He assured Bob that his job was waiting for him, and – with his owners – presented him with a cheque one Christmas to help stay afloat financially.

Bob is quiet and undemonstrative and – I say this as a compliment – is happy just to be himself,” says Brough. “Trying to be more tutored wouldn’t work. He is what he is, and he’s entitled to be proud of it.” Bob on… We initially had a few thousand pounds sent in from people who won money on the horse. There were a lot of fivers here and there,” said Champion. Having been made England captain at 24, Botham struggled to live up to expectations. Under his leadership, the national team had suffered heavy defeats in successive series against the West Indies. They’d failed to win any of the 12 Tests during his time as captain, while his personal form seemed to crumble too. Niti” raced 28 times in total with eight wins and 10 places, including third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and second in the Scottish National. There are plenty of other women too, not just those two - there's Bryony Frost as well - but they do a fantastic job.

Recognition

He had a heart bigger than himself. He always wanted to go faster than he could and he tried his heart out. Although Aldaniti died in 1997 and Bob Champion retired from training horses in 1999, they are both legends of the horse racing world. But I had the best run down the Canal Turn that anybody could have had in the race, ever, and everything went so smoothly. As well as his book and the film, Champion was surprised by presenter Eamonn Andrews for the television show, This Is Your Life, on his wedding day later that year.