Grand National hero Liam Treadwell’s death stuns racing

The universally popular 34-year-old, who had spoken movingly in the past about his struggles with mental health in an injury-hit career, shot to fame when he won the Aintree marathon in 2009 on 100-1 outsider Mon Mome for trainer Venetia Williams.

And the aftermath of the victory was remembered by some comments that BBC presenter Clare Balding made about the battered state of the jockey’s teeth.

However the broadcaster was amongst the first to pay tribute to Treadwell who had, most recently, been working as an assistant to Bridgnorth trainer Alistair Ralph.

“I am desperately sad to hear of the death of Liam Treadwell. My heart goes out to his family and all his friends,” she tweeted.

“He was the loveliest guy with a great sense of humour and I know how much the Injured Jockeys Fund has supported him in recent years. It is a tragedy to have lost him so young.”

Though Treadwell grew up in Sussex, his riding career began on the Flat in Yorkshire at the yard of the late Thirsk trainer Dandy Nicholls.

“I must have had six winners from about 100 rides. It did me the world of good,” Treadwell told The Yorkshire Post just an hour after Mon Mome’s win.

“His sprinters certainly helped tidy up my riding style and learn how to ride winners. It got my career going, but it was tough having nothing to eat for two days to ride a horse in a six furlong sprint at Beverley or Redcar.

“But Mr Nicholls was good to me and when an opportunity emerged at Venetia Williams’s yard, he put in a tentative call to find out the lie of the land. I shall always be grateful for that. I was too nervous to make the first

call.”

Treadwell enjoyed a long association with Williams before retiring in February 2018, citing a fall at Bangor in March 2016 which knocked him unconscious.

She hinted at the rider’s past struggles, saying: “It’s a massive shock. I think we all thought he was in a good place now, having been through some tough times in previous years.

“We thought his renewed career had put in him in a situation where he was happy. It’s desperately sad news.

“Liam rode many winners for us, but over and above that he was such a lovely person and, ironically, always such a happy person.

“I remember Dandy Nicholls ringing me up many years ago to tell me about this young lad who thinks he can do the weight on the Flat, but he can’t, and he wants to come to you to ride over jumps.

“He was here for a large part of his racing career, and not a day went by without him putting a smile on somebody’s face.”

Treadwell returned to race riding last year for the aforementioned Ralph who told the Racing Post: “Liam was a great person, a great friend. It’s a terrible shame. I have never met anybody who had a bad word to say about him.”

Mon Mone’s win in the colours of Vida Bingham was the jockey’s first ride in the National. He was also third on Monbeg Dude in 2015 for Zara and Mike Tindall.

Other big-race successes for Treadwell included the the Byrne Group Plate on Carrickboy at the Cheltenham Festival in 2013, Wetherby’s Castleford Chase on Pepite Rose later in the same year and then the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase at Aintree on Bennys Mist in 2015.

Treadwell rode more than 300 winners during his career.

A statement from West Mercia Police read: “Earlier this morning police were called to an address in Billingsley, near Bridgnorth, following the death of a man in his 30s.

“The death is currently being treated as unexplained. However, at this stage there is believed to be no third-party involvement.”

Mick Fitzgerald – also a Grand National-winning rider having landed the Aintree spectacular aboard Rough Quest in 1996 – was a weighing room colleague of Treadwell.

He told Sky Sports Racing: “Seeing him winning the Grand National is in many ways the best way to remember him.

“He was a really nice guy, he was a lovely rider - and it’s just awfully sad. It’s sad for his family and anybody connected with him. It just highlights again how precious life is.

“We used to call him ‘Tredders’. He just got on with it when he was racing. You never knew he was there. He wasn’t a shouter. He just wanted to do the best he could, and it’s just awfully sad for everybody involved.”

The British Horseracing Authority’s chief executive Nick Rust also paid tribute, saying in a statement: “We are devastated to hear the tragic news about Liam Treadwell.

“Liam had a fine career in British racing, riding over 300 winners in the 17 years that he held a jockeys’ licence, obviously none more memorable than his remarkable 100-1 Grand National success on Mon Mome in 2009 - a ride that cemented his place in racing folklore.

“The racing community will be united in grief today, and the thoughts of everyone at the BHA are with Liam’s friends, family and colleagues.”

Trainer Olly Murphy tweeted: “Terrible hearing the shocking news about Liam Treadwell. A kind, warm hearted man who I enjoyed having round Warren chase for the short spell he spent with us. May his mind now be at peace. Sleep well.”

Meanwhile Nick Gifford, whose late father Josh saddled 1981 National hero Aldaniti, added: “Totally shocked and devastated to hear of the passing of Liam Treadwell.

“All our thoughts with his family and friends. So proud that we were lucky enough to have Liam as a key part of our team in the early days. RIP we will never forget you x A true gentleman.”

And racing legend Jonjo O’Neill, who trained Don’t Push It to National glory in 2010 for AP McCoy, said: “Absolutely tragic news regarding Liam Treadwell. A lovely lad and brilliant jockey. All of our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.”

Aintree Racecourse paid this tribute: “We’re deeply saddened to hear about the passing of 2009 Grand National winning jockey, Liam Treadwell. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.

And the Racing Welfare charity posted: “We are incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Liam Treadwell and wish to send our most sincere condolences to his friends and family.

“If you have been affected and would like to talk to someone, our team are available 24/7 via Racing’s Support Line on 0800 6300 443.”

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