Legendary racing family ‘devastated’ after Grand National winner Bindaree dies aged 30

2 months ago 21

LEGENDARY racing family the Twiston-Davies have been left ‘devastated’ after the death of Grand National winner Bindaree at the grand old age of 30.

The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained runner won the 2002 Aintree feature under Jim Culloty, the uncle of three-time Flat champion jockey Oisin Murphy.

a jockey wearing a green amarele jacket is riding a brown horse

Jockey Jim Culloty punches the air after steering the late Bindaree to an unforgettable Grand National win in 2002[/caption]

a man with gray hair is wearing a plaid jacket and a red tie

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has paid tribute to the horse that saved his career[/caption]

Bindaree was sent off 20-1 for the world’s most famous race and looked to be beaten early on in the run-in.

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But he found a new lease of life in the closing stages to rally and beat 10-1 What’s Up Boys by just under two lengths.

The thrilling ding-dong went down as an instant classic, with third-placed Blowing Wind, the 8-1 favourite under AP McCoy, a further 27 lengths behind.

Bindaree put Twiston-Davies back on the map as a trainer and his jockey son Sam broke the news of the horse’s death on X on Friday morning.

He said: “Bindaree sadly passed away this morning , all at Grange Hill Farm devastated, all owe him so much as wouldn’t be here with out him. An amazing horse.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for us , may you Rest In Peace.”

Bindaree was owned by the late multi-millionaire businessman Harold Raymond Mould, who died in September 2015.

The horse won just shy of £500,000 in a 40-race career that included nine wins, five seconds and four thirds.

Hugely popular trainer Twiston-Davies said he was on the brink of quitting before Bindaree’s miraculous win.

He told the Racing Post: ““It’s not just me who owes Bindaree so much.

“We were on the verge of quitting. If we had done, there’s a real chance that my sons Sam and Willy wouldn’t have had the opportunities to achieve what they have done.

“He was a character, but not the sort who wanted to cuddle you. I remember watching the Grand National with Philip Hobbs, who trained What’s Up Boys.

“Bindaree was headed at the last by What’s Up Boys but fought back. It was a great race.

“We shall all miss him.”