Trainer Gifford dies aged 70

by Setanta Staff , 09 February 2012

One of racing's most well known trainers, Josh Gifford, has died at the age of 70.


Gifford is perhaps most famous for training the 1981 Grand National winner Aldaniti.

However, he was a successful jockey in his own right, with four Cheltenham Festival successes to his name as well as finishing second on Honey End behind Foinavon in the 1967 Grand National.

He owned the Findon yard in West Sussex, with his son Nick succeeding him in looking after day-to-day duties in 2003 after training in excess of 1,500 winners.

Bob Champion, who recovered from cancer to ride Aldanti to National success and was later immortalised by John Hurt in the film 'Champions', paid tribute to Gifford.

"He was a great jockey, a great trainer and a great man," he said "He was so loyal to his jockeys."

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