Charlie Fenwick
Born on 27 January 1948, Mr Charlie Fenwick Jr, a Baltimore banker, had made several trips from America to partner Ben Nevis in preliminary events before tackling the 1979 Grand National. All to no avail - Charlie was brought down at The Chair, quickly remounted, but sensibly pulled up at the next fence.
Born on 27 January 1948, Mr Charlie Fenwick Jr, a Baltimore banker, had made several trips from America to partner Ben Nevis in preliminary events before tackling the 1979 Grand National. All to no avail - Charlie was brought down at The Chair, quickly remounted, but sensibly pulled up at the next fence.
He said afterwards: 'It was the most frustrating time of my life, something, I hope, I never have to go through again.'
He said afterwards: 'It was the most frustrating time of my life, something, I hope, I never have to go through again.'
Undeterred, he set about training for the next year's race, and, on March 29, 1980, together with 29 others, he faced the starter.
Undeterred, he set about training for the next year's race, and, on March 29, 1980, together with 29 others, he faced the starter.
Ben Nevis had been well backed the previous year, fourth favourite at 14/1, but this time around, there was little enthusiasm or support for the American raider who was allowed to start at odds of 40/1. Big mistake.
Ben Nevis had been well backed the previous year, fourth favourite at 14/1, but this time around, there was little enthusiasm or support for the American raider who was allowed to start at odds of 40/1. Big mistake.
Constant rain throughout the week had drenched the course, producing the worst underfoot conditions since 1972. Such going was thought to be totally against Ben Nevis who, in twelve European races, had failed to register a single success.
Constant rain throughout the week had drenched the course, producing the worst underfoot conditions since 1972. Such going was thought to be totally against Ben Nevis who, in twelve European races, had failed to register a single success.
Charlie Fenwick was the son-in-law of the gelding's owner and the grandson of Mr Howard Bruce, the American whose Billy Barton had come so close to winning the race in 1928.
Charlie Fenwick was the son-in-law of the gelding's owner and the grandson of Mr Howard Bruce, the American whose Billy Barton had come so close to winning the race in 1928.
Charlie was taken under the wing of Graham Thorner who had ridden Well To Do to win the National in 1972. Together, Charlie and Graham watched endless films of past Nationals: Graham's final words of advice to Charlie as the jockey mounted were 'keep on remounting'.
Charlie was taken under the wing of Graham Thorner who had ridden Well To Do to win the National in 1972. Together, Charlie and Graham watched endless films of past Nationals: Graham's final words of advice to Charlie as the jockey mounted were 'keep on remounting'.
He needn't have worried. Jumping Becher's second time around, Ben Nevis landed a dozen lengths clear as Delmoss, his nearest challenger, crashed out.
He needn't have worried. Jumping Becher's second time around, Ben Nevis landed a dozen lengths clear as Delmoss, his nearest challenger, crashed out.
From then, the race was a procession, and Charlie became only the second American amateur jockey to win the race.
From then, the race was a procession, and Charlie became only the second American amateur jockey to win the race.
Ben Nevis should never have been allowed to take part in the race: it had shown signs of coughing only a few days before, and its trainer, Captain Forster, only let it take part in consideration of the many people who had crossed the Atlantic to watch the horse run.
Ben Nevis should never have been allowed to take part in the race: it had shown signs of coughing only a few days before, and its trainer, Captain Forster, only let it take part in consideration of the many people who had crossed the Atlantic to watch the horse run.
It was Ben Nevis's last race. The skittish, rangy chestnut was retired.
It was Ben Nevis's last race. The skittish, rangy chestnut was retired.
Career highlights (1966-1994) of Charlie Fenwick Jr.:
Career highlights (1966-1994) of Charlie Fenwick Jr.:
Won 1980 English Grand National at Aintree Race Course in Liverpool, England, on Ben Nevis II.
Won 1980 English Grand National at Aintree Race Course in Liverpool, England, on Ben Nevis II.
Won five runnings of the Maryland Hunt Cup on four different horses -- Ben Nevis II (1977-78), Dosdi (1979), Cancottage (1983), Sugar Bee (1987). Still holds the course record of 8:33 3/5, set in 1978 on Ben Nevis II.
Won five runnings of the Maryland Hunt Cup on four different horses -- Ben Nevis II (1977-78), Dosdi (1979), Cancottage (1983), Sugar Bee (1987). Still holds the course record of 8:33 3/5, set in 1978 on Ben Nevis II.
Won 10 runnings of the Grand National Point-to-Point on six different horses -- Happy Orphan (1973), Ben Nevis II (1977-78), Dosdi (1979-80), Treasure Island (1982-83), Local Kid (1987-88), Buck Jakes (1994).
Won 10 runnings of the Grand National Point-to-Point on six different horses -- Happy Orphan (1973), Ben Nevis II (1977-78), Dosdi (1979-80), Treasure Island (1982-83), Local Kid (1987-88), Buck Jakes (1994).
Won five runnings of the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup on two horses -- Dosdi (1976-77, 1979) and Sam Son Of A Gun (1980-81).
Won five runnings of the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup on two horses -- Dosdi (1976-77, 1979) and Sam Son Of A Gun (1980-81).