Tag Archive for: Bob Champion

Bob Champion charity to benefit from Grand National day runner

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A chance to own a runner on Grand National day and meet the legendary Bob Champion is being offered up by the Posh Pundit Racing Club through their horse Thank You Ma’am.

By purchasing a share for just £80, half of which will go to the Bob Champion Cancer Trust, members will have the chance of being an owner for the day when the consistent six-year-old, trained by Georgie Nicholls, runs in the opening William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle.

Champion – who won one of the most famous Nationals of them all in 1981 on Aldaniti after fighting back from cancer – is an ambassador for the syndicate, which was sent a good luck letter by Queen Camilla before Thank You Ma’am won at Ascot in December. Nine-year-old Harry Adams, son of syndicate founder Rupert Adams, had written to the Queen before Christmas wishing her well after a bout of pneumonia.

“The horse has been a star, he hasn’t been out of the first three this season, has won two of his last three and the opportunity to run at Liverpool is brilliant,” said Champion.

Queen Camilla sent the syndicate a good luck note
Queen Camilla sent the syndicate a good luck note (PPRC)

“What you want with these horses when you are in a syndicate with not much outlay is a horse who runs a fair bit and preferably a consistent one.

“Thank You Ma’am (named as a tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II) is all of that and more, and Olive (Nicholls) rides him really well, she gets a great tune out of him. Aintree should suit him, that big, long straight.

“Whoever is lucky enough to be there on National day will get a lot of fun out of it, I promise you. How many people get the chance to be an owner on Grand National day?

“Half of each share goes to the Bob Champion Cancer Trust, which is fantastic, so it’s great on two fronts, enjoyment from the racing side and helping a charity.”

Rupert Adams (left), with Georgina Nicholls, Bob Champion and Olive Nicholls on Thank You Ma'am
Rupert Adams (left, who runs the syndicate), with Georgie Nicholls, Bob Champion and Olive Nicholls on Thank You Ma’am (PPRC)

Champion’s story is well trodden, especially at this time of year. The driving force in his battle with cancer was the chance to ride Aldaniti at Aintree. Little did he know that during his own recovery the horse was almost put down.

After his famous victory, the tale was turned into a Hollywood movie, with Champion setting up his own charity for those less fortunate than himself.

“I suppose we’ll be around the £16million mark now – I haven’t counted it!” said Champion, who was awarded a CBE for his charity work.

The late Queen Elizabeth II with Bob Champion and Aldaniti
The late Queen Elizabeth II with Bob Champion and Aldaniti (PA Archive)

“The National was a race I always wanted to win from about the age of nine. I was fortunate, I rode in it about 10 times and got round in most of them – and I won it once.

“Everything went so smoothly on Aldaniti that day. Our plan was to take it up going to the last – I took it up about three and a half miles too soon! I always felt I was in control of the race, though.

“I think Stumptown must take a good bit of beating this year for Gavin Cromwell. It’s a very open race, last year’s winner (I Am Maximus) can’t be ruled out, but I think it will be won by the Irish.”

Shares in Thank You Ma’am can be purchased by logging on at https://www.theposhpundit.co.uk/product/tym-bob-champion-cancer-trust-2025

Bob Champion and Thank You Ma’am aiming to raise cancer charity awareness

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A racing syndicate has joined forces with the Bob Champion Cancer Trust to help raise money for the charity.

The Posh Pundit Racing Club, who, in their words, own “one of the unluckiest horses in training” in the shape of Thank You Ma’am, are donating 50 per cent of every £80 membership bought that is linked to the Trust.

Thank You Ma’am is in training with Georgina Nicholls in Lambourn and runs in the Thames Materials Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday looking to break a frustrating sequence, having finished second in his last three races and six times in all. He will be ridden by Nicholls’ daughter, Olive.

Bob Champion recovered from cancer to famously win the 1981 Grand National on Aldanati and established the trust in 1983.

“We are very excited to be partnering with the Posh Pundit Racing Club,” said Champion.

Rupert Adams (left), with Georgina Nicholls, Bob Champion and Olive Nicholls on Thank You Ma'am
Rupert Adams (left), with Georgina Nicholls, Bob Champion and Olive Nicholls on Thank You Ma’am (PPRC)

“I have visited Thank You Ma’am in Lambourn and he looks a cracking horse, whilst I know both Georgina and Olive and have great faith in both.

“In this partnership I think we have found a way to increase awareness of the male cancers, raise much needed funds and dare I say have some fun doing so.

“Buy a share in Thank You Ma’am…. You won’t regret it.”

Rupert Adams, who runs the syndicate, said: “We have had an amazing run with six seconds and perhaps Saturday will be our time!

“He must be one of the most unluckiest horses in training, but Georgie never shies from a challenge and has run him in some decent races, and this looks like one again.

“Bob Champion is racing royalty and we could not be happier to have him and his team on board.”