My dad won the Grand National and rivals called him ‘God’ – but time’s stood still since his terrible accident

8 months ago 45

SOME 20 years ago millions of people up and down the country were glued to their televisions.

Throats hoarse from cheering, knuckles white from gripping betslips, the outcome of the 2004 Grand National hung in the balance.

PA:Press Association
Graham Lee won a scarcely believable Grand National at Aintree in 2004[/caption]
Now Amy Lee, back left, is helping her dad Graham, centre, remember the good times as he suffered a life-threatening fall that’s left him paralysed

But four fences from home you would have done well to pick out Amberleigh House as the winner.

Jumping to his right and plugging on at one speed, those who backed the 16-1 chance had probably given up.

But appearances can be deceiving.

Three fences from home, Willie Mullins’ Hedgehunter had hit the front with JP McManus’ Clan Royal chasing gamely in second and Lord Atterbury close behind.

Richard Hoiles took over the commentary with two to go and, like everyone else, thought the race was between this trio.

But stalking them patiently, all along, was Amberleigh House.

His trainer, Ginger McCain, knew full well what it took to win the world’s most famous race – he did it three times with the world’s most famous horse, Red Rum.

His jockey did too.

After Hedgehunter fell, Clan Royal almost ran off the track, then veered sharply back at the elbow and bumped into Lord Atterbury.

In a scarcely believable final 30 seconds, there was Amberleigh House, eating up the ground on the outside near thousands of cheering fans.

Hoiles’ voice broke as he called Amberleigh House home for a victory that had looked impossible a minute before.

Just as hard to predict, all these years on, would have been Lee’s current state.

The man rivals labelled ‘God’ for his skill in the saddle is now sadly paralysed from the neck down, a consequence of the terrible fall he suffered last November.

Lee went from riding jumps to focusing on the Flat. It’s supposed to be a bit less dangerous, even though an ambulance still follows you round.

He hit the pinnacle of that discipline too, becoming the only man to win the Grand National and Ascot Gold Cup.

But these days it’s the little wins that count after an accident at Newcastle changed his life.

Lee was critically injured after being unseated from Ben Macdui in a Class 5 sprint on the all weather.

Recovery has been long and slow and he remains, surrounded by his loving family and friends, in a spinal care unit at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough.

But good news came this week, just days before this year’s Grand National, with the launch of the Graham Lee Racing Club.

Punters, for the small price of £17 annually, can follow the progress of a promising young filly running in his colours.

Lee’s daughter Amy says it’s these things, much like the thousands of messages of support her dad has received, that are the victories they celebrate as a family these days.

Speaking of the overwhelming love the Lees have felt since her dad’s fall, Amy, who is studying musical theatre at college in Swindon, said: “I’ve always said to Dad every time he has a negative thought there’s a donation to show him, he needs to keep going, there are so many people behind him.

“When he’s had his down days we’ve sat there and we’ve read all the lovely messages and it always puts a smile on our faces.

“So many people have come to see him or gotten in touch with a message, it’s been so nice and really kept dad going.

“Dad is just Dad to me. I never really clicked how incredible he was.

“I’ve always thought the world of him but another jockey said to me, ‘he’s like God, he’s who everyone wants to be like’. It’s so nice to hear something like that.

“I wish that I could be half that person.”

But the truth is that without Amy’s input they wouldn’t have raised more than £200,000 on Just Giving to help pay for her father’s care.

The Racing Club will aim to raise more funds too – proving that out of the darkest days comes light.

Amy added: “I love meeting people who know Dad, everyone has their stories and they’ve been wanting to help so much. It’s nice to create something positive.

“The world goes on, but for us four we’re still at November 11, time’s just stopped since then.

“Everyone has been carrying on, as they should, but it’s nice that people are still caring at this point, five months down the line.”

You can join the Graham Lee Racing Club here and donate to his Just Giving page.

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