Tim Durant
Tim Durant was the type of person who would set himself seemingly impossible targets, then surprise everyone by either hitting them or failing gallantly in the effort.
Tim Durant was the type of person who would set himself seemingly impossible targets, then surprise everyone by either hitting them or failing gallantly in the effort.
He attended Yale University where he read Russian Literature, then vowed that he would become a millionaire by the age of thirty.
He attended Yale University where he read Russian Literature, then vowed that he would become a millionaire by the age of thirty.
He became a New York stockbroker and married into a most wealthy family - only to lose his fortune – and his wife – in the wake of the 1929 Wall Street crash.
He became a New York stockbroker and married into a most wealthy family - only to lose his fortune – and his wife – in the wake of the 1929 Wall Street crash.
Unbowed, he made his way to Hollywood determined to carve out a new career.
Unbowed, he made his way to Hollywood determined to carve out a new career.
He had learned how to ride as a young man in Connecticut; now, in the world of films, his horsemanship and rugged good looks ensured regular work in the cowboy movies which were so popular at that time.
He had learned how to ride as a young man in Connecticut; now, in the world of films, his horsemanship and rugged good looks ensured regular work in the cowboy movies which were so popular at that time.
He befriended top director John Houston, who cast him in several films, notably The Red Badge of Courage. He was also very close to Charlie Chaplin who gave him good advice on the stock markets.
He befriended top director John Houston, who cast him in several films, notably The Red Badge of Courage. He was also very close to Charlie Chaplin who gave him good advice on the stock markets.
Tim became the escort of such stars as Greta Garbo and Paulette Goddard.
Tim became the escort of such stars as Greta Garbo and Paulette Goddard.
Finally he remarried, in Ireland, and his interest in horses reawakened.
Finally he remarried, in Ireland, and his interest in horses reawakened.
He was 60 when, for no particular reason, he fell in love with the Grand National and an obsession to ride in it began to overtake all rationality.
He was 60 when, for no particular reason, he fell in love with the Grand National and an obsession to ride in it began to overtake all rationality.
Tim, first though, had to prove his fitness to himself and his doubters: he did this by competing successfully in a marathon race staged over the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Tim, first though, had to prove his fitness to himself and his doubters: he did this by competing successfully in a marathon race staged over the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Then, with a little financial help from his married daughter, he flew to England in search of a suitable mount he could buy for Aintree.
Then, with a little financial help from his married daughter, he flew to England in search of a suitable mount he could buy for Aintree.
He found Aerial lll, a ten-year-old chestnut gelding, lurking in the stables of Roddy Armytage.
He found Aerial lll, a ten-year-old chestnut gelding, lurking in the stables of Roddy Armytage.
The horse had form: he had once won the Liverpool Foxhunters' Chase and seemed a good choice for a belated stab at glory.
The horse had form: he had once won the Liverpool Foxhunters' Chase and seemed a good choice for a belated stab at glory.
Now 66 years old, Tim began to train in earnest and became familiar with the Aintree fences by competing in the Becher Chase and getting round safely.
Now 66 years old, Tim began to train in earnest and became familiar with the Aintree fences by competing in the Becher Chase and getting round safely.
The dream was on!
The dream was on!
Then – disaster!
Then – disaster!
Aerial lll was ruled out of the race with tendon trouble, so it was back to Roddy Armytage for a replacement.
Aerial lll was ruled out of the race with tendon trouble, so it was back to Roddy Armytage for a replacement.
He came up with another ten-year-old, equally experienced, called King Pin.
He came up with another ten-year-old, equally experienced, called King Pin.
Tim and King Pin exceeded most people's expectations when successfully navigating two-thirds of the course before Tim was obliged to pull his exhausted partner up.
Tim and King Pin exceeded most people's expectations when successfully navigating two-thirds of the course before Tim was obliged to pull his exhausted partner up.
Poor King Pin was later destroyed after coming down in a race in Sweden with Tim in the saddle.
Poor King Pin was later destroyed after coming down in a race in Sweden with Tim in the saddle.
Then Tim was diagnosed with bone cancer in his ankle and was told that his lower leg would have to be amputated.
Then Tim was diagnosed with bone cancer in his ankle and was told that his lower leg would have to be amputated.
Tim would have none of it, and flew to New York for a second opinion. Whilst there, surgeons removed the cancerous lump.
Tim would have none of it, and flew to New York for a second opinion. Whilst there, surgeons removed the cancerous lump.
So well did the operation go that Tim went back into training for a second National bid.
So well did the operation go that Tim went back into training for a second National bid.
So, too, did Aerial lll.
So, too, did Aerial lll.
But this was to be Foinavon's year: as horse after horse ground to a halt courtesy of Popham Down, Aerial lll had already been pulled up at the 19th. Tim had stubbornly refused to carry a whip: consequently the horse had been hunted round in an amateurish manner and had never been placed to challenge.
But this was to be Foinavon's year: as horse after horse ground to a halt courtesy of Popham Down, Aerial lll had already been pulled up at the 19th. Tim had stubbornly refused to carry a whip: consequently the horse had been hunted round in an amateurish manner and had never been placed to challenge.
Aged 68, he bid for a third and final time the following year: his mount was an 11-year-old Irish gelding called Highlandie. Like his previous two mounts, Highlandie started at 100-1.
Aged 68, he bid for a third and final time the following year: his mount was an 11-year-old Irish gelding called Highlandie. Like his previous two mounts, Highlandie started at 100-1.
On landing over Becher's, Tim tumbled from the saddle and, seemingly, the dream once again was over.
On landing over Becher's, Tim tumbled from the saddle and, seemingly, the dream once again was over.
But Tim was made of sterner stuff.
But Tim was made of sterner stuff.
His stubborn streak kicked in and, hauling himself back into the saddle, he set off once again in fruitless pursuit of the others.
His stubborn streak kicked in and, hauling himself back into the saddle, he set off once again in fruitless pursuit of the others.
Amazingly, there were no further traumas, and Tim & Highlandie finished 15th of the 17 who completed.
Amazingly, there were no further traumas, and Tim & Highlandie finished 15th of the 17 who completed.
The newspapers, who had dubbed Tim 'The Galloping Grandad', noted that he was the oldest rider ever to complete the course.
The newspapers, who had dubbed Tim 'The Galloping Grandad', noted that he was the oldest rider ever to complete the course.
Tim donated his £500 winnings to the Injured Jockeys' Fund and returned to America, the conquering hero!
Tim donated his £500 winnings to the Injured Jockeys' Fund and returned to America, the conquering hero!
True to form, he continued riding for several years after and became a much sought-after speaker when he would regale his audiences with his Grand National exploits.
True to form, he continued riding for several years after and became a much sought-after speaker when he would regale his audiences with his Grand National exploits.
Sadly, aged 85, the cancer returned. This time there was to be no miracle cure.
Sadly, aged 85, the cancer returned. This time there was to be no miracle cure.
Tim - real name Thomas Wells Durant - was born on October 18, 1899 in Waterbury, Connecticut, California.
Tim - real name Thomas Wells Durant - was born on October 18, 1899 in Waterbury, Connecticut, California.
He died on December 7, 1984, in Santa Monica, California.
He died on December 7, 1984, in Santa Monica, California.
On screen he appeared in Charlie Chaplin's Limelight, Return to Peyton Place, The List of Adrian Messenger & The Red Badge of Courage.
On screen he appeared in Charlie Chaplin's Limelight, Return to Peyton Place, The List of Adrian Messenger & The Red Badge of Courage.