Graham Bradley, the legendary jockey who rode Bregawn to victory in the 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup, has died at the age of 65. His friend, former Grand National-winning jockey and trainer Brendan Powell, confirmed the news, saying: "Brad passed away this morning."
A Career of Highs and Controversy
During a 22-year career that was at times controversial, Bradley rode more than 700 winners, including the Champion Hurdle and Irish Grand National. He was best remembered for his front-running ride on Bregawn in the 1983 Gold Cup, where trainer Michael Dickinson saddled the first five finishers—a feat unmatched in racing history.
Bregawn, the 100-30 favourite in an 11-runner field, held off Captain John by five lengths, with Wayward Lad third, Silver Buck fourth, and Ashley House fifth. Recalling the race in an interview with Mirror Racing three years ago, Bradley said: "I had finished second on Bregawn the year before in 1982 and we were favourite this time round so I was hoping we were going to win. I wasn’t guaranteed to make the running on him the way I did. I knew when we were beaten in the race before the Gold Cup, in the Jim Ford at Wincanton, that I hadn’t gone quick enough on him. But I did end up making most of the running after a couple of furlongs and I gave him an absolutely brilliant ride and won the race. It was so wonderful. My horse was brilliant. I never thought Michael would train the first five. It was an absolute miracle. There were some very good horses against us so for us to do that was amazing."
Other Major Wins and Retirement
Bradley's other Cheltenham Festival successes included victory on Collier Bay in the 1996 Champion Hurdle and a record four wins in the Grand Annual Chase. He also rode Wayward Lad in the last of his three King George VI Chase successes. His best finish in the Grand National was second on Suny Bay in 1998.
After retiring in 1999, he worked as a bloodstock agent, with footballers Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler among his clients. However, in 2022 he was banned from racing for five years after being found guilty of passing on inside information for reward, details of which were aired in a BBC Panorama investigation. Latterly, he lived in France, where he had been diagnosed with dementia.
Tributes from the Racing World
Brendan Powell paid tribute, saying: "He was one of the best riders I ever rode with. He had horses in training with me at one time as well. We all knew Brad. As his book said he could be a 'Wayward Lad' but he was also a very kind man with a great side to him. He's at peace now."
