Robert ChampionCBE (born 4 June 1948) is an English former jump jockey, who won the 1981 Grand National on Aldaniti. His triumph, while recovering from cancer, was made into the 1984 film Champions, with John Hurt portraying Champion. The film is based on Champion's book Champion's Story, which he wrote with close friend, racing journalist and broadcaster Jonathan Powell.
Biography
Champion was born in Sussex, but very soon after his birth the family moved to Guisborough in the North Riding of Yorkshire.[1] During his childhood, he rode the donkey Lively Laddie, who was born in 1943 and lived to at least 60 years old.[2][3]
Champion became a trainer based in Newmarket. The first horse he bought as such was "Just Martin" for owner Frank Pullen,[5] who also built his yard.[6] He retired from training horses in 1999.