John Carden 

John Carden, of Prestbury, Cheshire, was born at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester on January 8, 1937, and was unique in that he took up riding at the age of 35.

He had previously been a Cambridge double blue at athletics and lacrosse and was a keen marathon runner.

John's love of speed saw him compete against the likes of Jackie Stewart in motor racing before a high speed accident at Silverstone led to a recreational change of direction in his thirties.

He rode his first winner, Short Odds (4-5) at Hereford on October 9, 1973, and nominated Huperade as the best he rode.

By profession, the amateur rider was a solicitor based at Macclesfield and had the distinction of riding in five Grand Nationals - 1974 Huperade (hampered & unseated rider 8th), 1976 Huperade (unseated rider 1st), 1977 Huperade (fell 1st), 1981 Bryan Boru (refused 4th), 1982 Rathlek (unseated rider 1st).

He also had two rides - and as many falls - in the Aintree Foxhunters'. 

On Saturday, May 22, 1993, John's luck ran out.

Riding King of Shadows, a horse he owned and trained, in the Gunthorpe Handicap Hurdle at Southwell, he suffered major injuries when the horse fell. He suffered a 'hangman's break' - similar to Superman actor Christopher Reeve.

The accident left John a ventilated tetraplegic yet, amazingly - though bed-bound and reliant on an iron lung - he continued to practise at Mottram St  Andrew until his retirement in 2003.

John died peacefully at home on July 11, 2010, and a celebration of his life took place on Monday, July 26, with a service and committal at Macclesfield Crematorium.