Williams leads tributes to fellow Grand National winner Treadwell

PA Sport Reporters
June 23, 2020 6:30 pm

2009 Aintree hero has died at the age of 34.

Venetia Williams has led the tributes to Liam Treadwell following the Grand National-winning jockey’s death at the age of 34.

Treadwell sprang one of the biggest surprises in the history of the world’s greatest steeplechase when steering 100-1 outsider Mon Mome to victory in 2009 for the Williams yard on his first attempt.

Williams told PA: “It’s a massive shock. I think we all thought he was in a good place now, having been through some tough times in previous years.

“We thought his renewed career had put in him in a situation where he was happy. It’s desperately sad news.”

Other big-race successes for the Treadwell-Williams combination included the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase at Aintree with Bennys Mist in 2015 and the Byrne Group Plate with Carrickboy at the Cheltenham Festival in 2013.

But it was that day at Aintree 11 years ago that stands out for Williams, who added: “We shared a day that was certainly the best day of my life, and I suspect of his.

“Liam rode many winners for us, but over and above that he was such a lovely person and, ironically, always such a happy person.

“I remember Dandy Nicholls ringing me up many years ago to tell me about this young lad who thinks he can do the weight on the Flat, but he can’t, and he wants to come to you to ride over jumps.

“He was here for a large part of his racing career, and not a day went by without him putting a smile on somebody’s face.”

His finest moment in the saddle – Liam Treadwell winning the 2009 Grand National aboard 100-1 chance Mon Mome @AintreeRaces ❤️
Our condolences to all of Liam’s family and friends. #RIP https://t.co/8wdQG9xuwt pic.twitter.com/Sdgeguwaje
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 23, 2020

Treadwell announced his retirement from riding in February 2018, but returned to the saddle in March 2019 – riding more than 300 winners during his career.

As well as still riding, he was assistant to Bridgnorth-based trainer Alastair Ralph, who described his death as “unbelievably sad” and a “big shock”.

The Injured Jockeys Fund released a statement on behalf of Treadwell’s parents, Mark and Lorraine, and his brother Nathan.

The statement read: “We are heartbroken that this has happened. We ask kindly that everyone respects our privacy in the coming days, so that we can begin to come to terms with our loss.”

A statement from West Mercia Police read: “Earlier this morning police were called to an address in Billingsley, near Bridgnorth, following the death of a man in his 30s.

“The death is currently being treated as unexplained. However, at this stage there is believed to be no third-party involvement.”

Liam Treadwell (middle) returned to the jockeys' ranks last year, after retiring in 2018 — Liam Treadwell (middle) returned to the jockeys’ ranks last year, after retiring in 2018 (Mike Egerton/PA)

Mick Fitzgerald – also a Grand National-winning rider having landed the Aintree spectacular aboard Rough Quest in 1996 – is a former weighing-room colleague of Treadwell’s.

He told Sky Sports Racing: “Seeing him winning the Grand National is in many ways the best way to remember him.

“He was a really nice guy, he was a lovely rider – and it’s just awfully sad. It’s sad for his family and anybody connected with him. It just highlights again how precious life is.

“We used to call him ‘Tredders’. He just got on with it when he was racing. You never knew he was there. He wasn’t a shouter. He just wanted to do the best he could, and it’s just awfully sad for everybody involved.”

The British Horseracing Authority’s chief executive Nick Rust also paid tribute, saying in a statement: “We are devastated to hear the tragic news about Liam Treadwell.

“Liam had a fine career in British racing, riding over 300 winners in the 17 years that he held a jockeys’ licence, obviously none more memorable than his remarkable 100-1 Grand National success on Mon Mome in 2009 – a ride that cemented his place in racing folklore.

“The racing community will be united in grief today, and the thoughts of everyone at the BHA are with Liam’s friends, family and colleagues.”

Liam Treadwell with Mon Mome and his owner Vida Bingham (Ben Birchall/PA)

A statement released on behalf of the Injured Jockeys Fund and the Professional Jockeys Association read: “We were heartbroken to be informed this morning that one of our own, Liam Treadwell, has died. Tributes to Liam have rightly flowed in – given how universally popular, well-liked and respected he was – and the weighing room will be a lesser place for his absence.

“Liam will forever be remembered for winning the Grand National in 2009 on the 100-1 shot Mon Mome, trained by Venetia Williams. He was a gifted horseman, valued by racehorse trainers for both this and his communication skills.

“He was polite, funny, kind and brave, having spoken passionately and eloquently about his mental health issues both in the press but also in our own ‘Jockey Matters’ films. It is devastating that this has happened, and our thoughts and prayers are with Liam’s family, friends and everyone who knew and supported him.”