Liam Treadwell: Grand National-winning jockey dies aged 34
Written by News on 23/06/2020
Jockey Liam Treadwell, who won the Grand National in 2009 at his first attempt, has died aged 34.
He sprang one of the biggest surprises in the world’s greatest steeplechase when he rode 100-1 outsider Mon Mome to victory.
Treadwell celebrated more than 300 triumphs during his career.
He announced his retirement from riding in February 2018, but returned to the saddle in March last year.
As well as still riding, he was assistant to trainer Alastair Ralph who confirmed his death, saying it was “unbelievably sad” and a “big shock”.
Treadwell’s other notable successes included the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase at Aintree on Bennys Mist in 2015 and the Byrne Group Plate on Carrickboy at the Cheltenham Festival in 2013.
He was also third in the Grand National on Monbeg Dude in 2015.
Police are treating his death as “unexplained”, adding no third party was thought to be involved.
Mick Fitzgerald, who won the famous Aintree race in 1996 riding Rough Quest and was a former weighing-room colleague of Treadwell, has paid tribute to him.
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.”
British Horseracing Authority’s chief executive Nick Rust said: “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.”
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.”
(c) Sky News 2020: Liam Treadwell: Grand National-winning jockey dies aged 34
