Tony Grantham
When King Edward Vll's horse Flaxman ran in the 1908 Grand National (finishing fourth), few could have envisaged that it would be another 42 years before the royal colours would be seen once again in the race.
When King Edward Vll's horse Flaxman ran in the 1908 Grand National (finishing fourth), few could have envisaged that it would be another 42 years before the royal colours would be seen once again in the race.
When, in 1950, it came about, the Queen Mother's Monaveen was the horse.
When, in 1950, it came about, the Queen Mother's Monaveen was the horse.
Anthony Grantham, the son of a Sussex horse dealer and liveryman, was the jockey on board.
Anthony Grantham, the son of a Sussex horse dealer and liveryman, was the jockey on board.
Born on September 25, 1921, Tony had ridden as an amateur before, competing successfully in both point-points and under Rules. So good was he that the Stewards of the day insisted that he turned professional, which he did.
Born on September 25, 1921, Tony had ridden as an amateur before, competing successfully in both point-points and under Rules. So good was he that the Stewards of the day insisted that he turned professional, which he did.
Monaveen was not Tony's first assault on the National - in 1948 he had ridden Lord Mildmay's Ultra Bene; they had parted company at the third.
Monaveen was not Tony's first assault on the National - in 1948 he had ridden Lord Mildmay's Ultra Bene; they had parted company at the third.
Queen Elizabeth's interest in National Hunt racing had been triggered by champion amateur jockey Lord Anthony Bingham, who, in 1949, was staying as a guest at Windsor Castle for the Royal Ascot meeting. He suggested she bought a steeplechaser. Monaveen was the result. The horse was sent to Peter Cazalet's stable to be trained.
Queen Elizabeth's interest in National Hunt racing had been triggered by champion amateur jockey Lord Anthony Bingham, who, in 1949, was staying as a guest at Windsor Castle for the Royal Ascot meeting. He suggested she bought a steeplechaser. Monaveen was the result. The horse was sent to Peter Cazalet's stable to be trained.
Attached, as he was, to Peter Cazalet's stable, Tony became the first royal jump jockey.
Attached, as he was, to Peter Cazalet's stable, Tony became the first royal jump jockey.
Monaveen and Tony, watched by the young Princess Elizabeth, made his debut at Fontwell Park on Monday, 10 October, 1949, beating his two opponents with ease.
Monaveen and Tony, watched by the young Princess Elizabeth, made his debut at Fontwell Park on Monday, 10 October, 1949, beating his two opponents with ease.
He was slightly concussed riding the Queen Mother's Monaveen when coming down at the water jump at Hurst Park on Saturday, December 2, 1950. Monaveen was fatally injured. Tony did not ride again until January 5, 1951.
He was slightly concussed riding the Queen Mother's Monaveen when coming down at the water jump at Hurst Park on Saturday, December 2, 1950. Monaveen was fatally injured. Tony did not ride again until January 5, 1951.
He won the Cheltenham Gold Cup and several other good races on Gay Donald.
He won the Cheltenham Gold Cup and several other good races on Gay Donald.
Having ridden over 400 winners, Tony retired from the saddle in 1958 to run a 140-acre beef farm and livery stable in Steyning, Sussex
Having ridden over 400 winners, Tony retired from the saddle in 1958 to run a 140-acre beef farm and livery stable in Steyning, Sussex
He also trained a few point-to-pointers, finally retiring to Newmarket-on- Fergus in County Clare in 1985.
He also trained a few point-to-pointers, finally retiring to Newmarket-on- Fergus in County Clare in 1985.
Tony rode Broken Tackle (Plumpton), Ryan Price's first-ever winner.
Tony rode Broken Tackle (Plumpton), Ryan Price's first-ever winner.
Tony's son, Tom - named after Tony's father - became a jockey, and, aged 18, rode his first-ever winner, Peyton Pearl, at the same track (Plumpton) on Tuesday October 26, 1982
Tony's son, Tom - named after Tony's father - became a jockey, and, aged 18, rode his first-ever winner, Peyton Pearl, at the same track (Plumpton) on Tuesday October 26, 1982
Tony Grantham died in Ireland on April 19, 2011, aged 89.
Tony Grantham died in Ireland on April 19, 2011, aged 89.
Writing about the race-card for December 2 1950. The Times newspaper said, 'It is good to have a racecard where the actual age of the entries was given for the information of the public. There are several courses - the main National Hunt course, Cheltenham, among them - where the practice of marking all horses seven years old or over as 'aged' is still continued. It is manifestly important to know whether a runner is 15 or 7, and it should not be necessary to have to buy a form book to find out.'
Writing about the race-card for December 2 1950. The Times newspaper said, 'It is good to have a racecard where the actual age of the entries was given for the information of the public. There are several courses - the main National Hunt course, Cheltenham, among them - where the practice of marking all horses seven years old or over as 'aged' is still continued. It is manifestly important to know whether a runner is 15 or 7, and it should not be necessary to have to buy a form book to find out.'
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner: Gay Donald (1955)
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner: Gay Donald (1955)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1949: Queen Elizabeth Chase – Monaveen
1949: Queen Elizabeth Chase – Monaveen
1950: Emblem Chase – Cromwell
1950: Emblem Chase – Cromwell
1950: Valentine Chase – Prince Brownie
1950: Valentine Chase – Prince Brownie
1951: King George VI Chase – Statecraft
1951: King George VI Chase – Statecraft
Tony Grantham wins the 1955 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Gay Donald.
Tony Grantham wins the 1955 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Gay Donald.