Grand National legend and ‘amazing woman' whose fairytale horse won a BBC SPOTY award dies at home aged 92
REST IN PEACE Grand National legend and 'amazing woman' whose fairytale horse won a BBC SPOTY award dies at home aged 92
A GRAND NATIONAL legend and 'amazing woman' whose fairytale horse won a BBC SPOTY award has died at her home aged 92.
Tributes have poured in for Valda Embiricos, who co-owned 1981 Aintree hero Aldaniti with her late husband Nick.
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Valda Embiricos, right, died at home aged 92 after a remarkable life in racing which included winning the world's most famous race
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Aldaniti and Bob Champion's 1981 Grand National victory was one of the best sporting stories of the century
Credit: PA:Press Association
Aldaniti and jockey Bob Champion completed 'one of the greatest sporting stories' ever 44 years ago when they won the world's most famous race.
Champion had beaten cancer and Aldaniti had miraculously recovered from a leg injury so severe vets thought he would never run again.
Their unforgettable win at odds of 10-1 was turned into a film starring John Hurt.
And Champion and Aldaniti even won the BBC Team of the Year award at the 1981 SPOTY bash.
Nick died in 2018 aged 81 and Champion remembered them both as 'just the most lovely owners who were a lot of fun too'.
The Racing Post reported Valda's passing, which came at her home Barkfold Manor Stud in West Sussex last Wednesday.
Her daughter Alex, a former trainer and jockey, told the Post: "Mum was invincible, strong, fearsome, kind, patient, fair, stubborn, a fighter.
"Her will to live and to give was relentless to the very end.
"If mum was an elephant she would be the matriarch of all matriarchs.
"She had a long, incredible and amazing life.
"I beg that I can try to fill those bottomless boots but I fear an espadrille is all I will manage."
Valda maintained a love of racing throughout her life and still had runners this year.
The Good Doctor, running under The Aldaniti Partnership banner, is trained by Ben Pauling and they had a win together at Fontwell as recently as 18 months ago.
The Cheltenham Festival-winning handler said: "Valda has been an incredibly special person to myself and my wife Sophie.
"She lived a wonderful life and was an incredibly courageous lady."
While a message from the racecourse posted on Facebook read: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Valda Embiricos at the age of 92.
"A remarkable woman whose support and passion for jump racing left an enduring legacy at Fontwell Park and beyond."
Punters were quick to pay tribute as well.
One wrote on X: "Very sad… but what a life!"
While another commented: "Very sad news."
Valda leaves daughter Alex, sons Alastair and Euan, stepson Nick and four grandchildren.
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