Heartbreaking Story of Racing Legend's Devastating Dementia Fight

Every sport has its flawed geniuses but when jump racing draws up its list, Graham Bradley usually sits at the top of the pile.

Bradley's Illustrious Career
Iconic Gold Cup winner, Champion Hurdle winner, and exactly 40 years ago this Easter Monday, an Irish Grand National winner on his very first ride on these shores. Bradley is considered one of the the most gifted jump jockeys of all-time, he had style and panache in the saddle, but also courted trouble and was infamously warned off for five years for passing inside information on to a notorious drug dealer.

Devastating Diagnosis
Unfortunately, the 64-year-old Yorkshireman is currently fighting the biggest battle of his life after a devastating dementia diagnosis. Three years ago, having not long moved to France with his family for a fresh start in 2020, Bradley was diagnosed with semantic dementia — a rare brain disease that causes loss of language and ability to understand words. The memory is fading rapidly too and Bradley needs constant care. His wife, Amanda, has given a heartbreaking insight into his condition.

Heartbreaking Reality
“He is sadly deteriorating rapidly and I’m watching my husband disappear before my very eyes, which is heartbreaking,” said Amanda. Despite efforts to keep him calm and happy, Bradley's condition continues to worsen, leaving Amanda with a heavy heart as she witnesses the toll the disease is taking on her beloved husband.