Death Of John Buckingham

John Buckingham, rider of 1967 Aintree Grand National winner Foinavon has died aged 76. Buckingham steered Foinavon to one of the most eventful Grand National victories ever as the 100/1 shot managed to avoid a huge melee of horses at the fence after Bechers Brook caused by the refusal of a loose horse. Buckingham, who was well adrift at the time, safely weaved a path through the confusion and was left with an unassailable lead of up to a furlong as some of the other runners negotiated their way back into the race. The obstacle where the carnage ensued was later named the Foinavon fence. Upon retiring from the saddle Buckingham became a jockey's valet, a job he undertook for thirty years until retiring in 2001. Paying tribute, trainer Brendan Powell, who also rode a Grand National winner tweeted, “Sad to hear of the passing of John Buckingham. Looked after me from my first ride to my last. A father figure to us all. A gentleman. RIP.”