Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Graham Bradley has died

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Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Graham Bradley has died at the age of 65.

Bradley rode his first winner in March 1980 before being crowned champion conditional jockey just a couple of seasons later in 1981-82.

He went on to ride 686 winners in Britain during his 22-year career in the saddle and enjoyed a successful partnership with trainer Michael Dickinson, for whom he partnered Bregawn to victory in the 1983 Gold Cup in which Dickinson famously saddled the first five home.

Seven-time champion jump jockey John Francome said: "It's sad news, but he's been unwell for a few years now. He was a really good lad and a nice human being. He was a really good jockey who was very stylish. He was good company in the weighing room and a lovely person.

Bregawn and Graham Bradley on their way to Gold Cup glory in 1983

"He was a great judge of pace and made everything very easy for the horse. He had lovely hands and horses always settled well for him. He was a good judge as well, and bought Seebald for Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler. He was always buying and selling.

"When he came down to Lambourn he used to ride for David Murray Smith and Jenny Pitman, and was just a genuinely good all-round human being."

Bradley rode Cheltenham Festival winners, including the 1996 Champion Hurdle on Collier Bay in 1996, and was crowned leading rider at the meeting in 1983. He also landed the Grand Annual Chase four times.

He won the King George VI Chase on Wayward Lad in 1985 for trainer Monica Dickinson, while on his first ride in Ireland he steered Rhyme 'N' Reason to victory in the 1985 Irish Grand National.

Two seasons later, he enjoyed the most successful campaign of his career, riding 53 winners in the 1986-87 season.

Victory in the Grand National itself proved just out of reach, with his best finish coming when runner-up aboard Suny Bay to Earth Summit in 1998. Aintree was also arguably the scene of his best ride when he won the 1993 Aintree Hurdle on Morley Street. The ride was voted number four in the 2007 Racing Post series 100 Greatest Rides.

In 1999, he retired from the saddle and a year later published his autobiography, The Wayward Lad, written with Steve Taylor.

His career then took a new direction as he became a bloodstock agent, and among his purchases was the triple Grade 1 winner Well Chief, who won the 2004 Arkle for owner David Johnson.

David Elsworth, for whom Bradley rode the likes of Floyd and Cavvies Clown, said: "I was a great fan of his. He was a wonderful rider. He didn't handle his racing life as conventionally as a lot of others would, but he had a heart as big as a bucket.

Graham Bradley counted the Cheltenham Gold Cup and King George VI Chase among his big-race wins

Graham Bradley counted the Gold Cup and King George VI Chase among his big-race winsCredit: Edward Whitaker

"Graham had a very generous nature and he helped everybody. Despite the controversy that surrounded him, he was a good guy. I held him in very high esteem and he was a wonderful talent."

In 2002, Bradley was banned from racing for eight years and fined £2,500 by the Jockey Club after being found to have disclosed privileged information.

A three-day inquiry examined Bradley's links with drug smuggler Brian Wright, who was wanted by police over a major cocaine operation. Bradley admitted that, while a licensed jockey, he had passed privileged racing information to Wright in exchange for favours.

The sentence was reduced to five years on appeal, but Bradley launched a legal challenge in the High Court, claiming the ban would prevent him from continuing his new career as a bloodstock agent. The court ruled against him in October 2004 and he was prohibited from entering racecourses or training yards until October 2009. A second challenge to the Court of Appeal in July 2005 was also unsuccessful.

Bradley had a daughter, Georgia May, with his long-term partner Amanda Wilson, and the family moved to France in 2020.

Soon after the move, he was diagnosed with semantic dementia.

"He fought his illness with courage and dignity, surrounded by the unwavering love and support of his family."Credit: Edward Whitaker

The Injured Jockeys Fund released a statement on behalf of Bradley's family on Thursday evening. It read: "It is with profound sadness that the family of Graham Bradley confirm his passing following a courageous five-year battle with semantic dementia.

"One of British racing's most talented and respected jockeys, Graham will be remembered not only for his remarkable achievements on the racecourse but also for his kindness, humour, and love for his family and friends.

"Graham passed away peacefully with his beloved wife, Bob, and cherished daughter, Georgia May Bradley, by his side. The last words he heard were, 'We love you, and it's okay to go now.

"He fought his illness with courage and dignity, surrounded by the unwavering love and support of his family.

"A private cremation will take place on Friday, 10 July, in Poitiers, France. A memorial service celebrating Graham's life will be held at a later date in his hometown of Wetherby, with details to be announced.

"Bob and Georgia May would like to thank everyone for the kindness, love, and support shown throughout Graham's illness and ask that their privacy be respected during this difficult time."

Graham Bradley: the facts and figures

Full name Graham John Bradley

Born Wetherby, September 8, 1960

Father Norman Bradley (trainer)

Conditional jockey to Arthur Stephenson, Tony and Michael Dickinson

First winner Talon (trainer Tony Dickinson) novices' hurdle, Sedgefield, March 11, 1980

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Bregawn (1983)

Champion Hurdle winner Collier Bay (1996)

King George VI Chase winner Wayward Lad (1985)

Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup winners Bregawn (1982), Suny Bay (1997)

Heineken (Punchestown) Gold Cup winner Fissure Seal (1993)

Irish Grand National winner Rhyme 'N' Reason (1985)

Welsh National winners Righthand Man (1984), Stearsby (1986)

Martell Cup (now Aintree Bowl) winner Merry Gale (1995)

Aintree Hurdle winner Morley Street (1993)

Other Cheltenham Festival winners Sabin Du Loir (1983 Sun Alliance Hurdle), Pearlyman (1986 Grand Annual Chase), Kildimo (1987 Sun Alliance Chase), My Young Man (1992 Grand Annual Chase), Sound Reveille (1995 Grand Annual Chase), Uncle Ernie (1997 Grand Annual Chase), French Ballerina (1998 Supreme Novices' Hurdle)

Other notable winners Badsworth Boy (1983 Castleford Chase), Ryeman (1984 Castleford Chase), Floyd (1990 Long Walk Hurdle), Bokaro (1991 Corsa Siepi di Milano)

Grand National runner-up Suny Bay (1998, to Earth Summit)

Last winner Ontheboil, Haydock, November 13, 1999

Greatest ride Morley Street, 1993 Aintree Hurdle (No.4 in 2007 Racing Post series 100 Greatest Rides)

Champion conditional jockey 1981-82

Cheltenham Festival wins 9 (1983-98; leading jockey 1983)

Most wins in a season 53 in 1986-87

Total wins in Britain 686

Compiled by John Randall