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‘We love you and it’s ok to go now’: family bids farewell to former Gold Cup winner after long illness, aged 65

Eleanor Jones Eleanor Jones

    • The family of Graham Bradley has paid tribute to a man who will be remembered for his kindness, humour and love.

    The former Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey died aged 65 after, his family said, a “courageous five-year battle” with neurodegenerative disorder 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,” the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) said in a statement on behalf of Graham’s family.

    “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 OK to go now’.

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

    Graham rode 686 winners in Britain, including the 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup with Bregawn for trainer Michael Dickinson, who that year saddled the first five horses in the race.

    He also won the 1996 Champion Hurdle (Collier Bay), the 1985 King George V Chase (Wayward Lad), the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, in 1982 also with Bregawn and in 1997 with Sunny Bay, and the Irish Grand National in 1985 with Rhyme ‘N’ Reason, who won the Grand National three years later with Brendan Powell. He had seven other Cheltenham Festival wins, came second in the 1998 Grand National with Suny Bay and was champion conditional jockey in the 1981-1982 season.

    There will be a private cremation on Friday, 10 July, in Poitiers, France, and a memorial service celebrating Graham’s life will be held in his home town of Wetherby; 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,” the statement said.

    “‘Live for today, tomorrow is promised to no one’.”

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    Eleanor Jones
    Eleanor Jones

    H&H news editor
    Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
    Eleanor Jones

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