Former Grand National winning jockey dies

Former jockey and valet John Buckingham has died.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Dec 2016, 12:07 BST
Updated 29th Dec 2016, 14:12 BST
Former jockey John Buckingham has diedFormer jockey John Buckingham has died
Former jockey John Buckingham has died

Buckingham, who was 76 and lived in Chipping Warden, will be best remembered for his first ride in the 1967 Grand National.

He rode 100-1 outsider Foinavon to win the world’s most famous steeplechase. When the field came unstuck at the 23rd fence after a loose horse caused havoc, Buckingham managed to make sure Foinavon avoided the melee and went on to win the race and cement his place in the history books.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In 1984, that same fence at Aintree, between Becher’s Brook and the Canal Turn, was officially renamed the Foinavon fence.

Buckingham retired to become a jockeys’ valet, a role he fulfilled until he retired in 2001.

Related topics:Buckingham