- Graham Lee suffered life-changing injuries in a fall at Newcastle Racecourse
- He is now paralyzed from the neck down and the family have raised £200,000 for him
- Lee said he felt “humbled” by the support shown to him after the donations poured in
Jockey Graham Lee is paralyzed from the neck down after breaking his spine after falling from his horse in November.
The 48-year-old Grand National winner suffered life-changing injuries in the fall at Newcastle Racecourse last year after being released from his horse Ben Marduk when the boxes opened due to a sprint handicap.
Lee, a hugely respected figure within the weighing room, was taken to hospital for further assessment and treatment before being transferred to an intensive care unit. In February he was pictured in a wheelchair.
It has now been revealed that Lee suffered a cervical fracture which damaged his spinal cord and now leaves him with no movement below the head and neck.
A Just Giving page has been set up by his daughter Amy, who has raised more than £200,000 to help support him – with donations going to the charity Injured Jockeys Fund.
Grand National-winning jockey Graham Lee is paralyzed from the neck down after falling from his horse last year
The 48-year-old – who previously enjoyed a successful National Hunt career – has ridden 47 winners (pictured on Quiet Reflection)
A fundraising campaign for Lee by his daughter Amy (pictured) has since raised more than £200,000
Lee said he was “humbled” by the response to the fundraising campaign, aided by the Good Racing Club, which helped set up the Graham Lee Racing Club. They also played a key role in a similar gesture towards former Leeds Rhinos star and MND patient Rob Burrow.
“I am truly humbled that a fundraising racing club has been set up in my honor and that Paul Hanagan has chosen the horse for me,” he said. ‘I’ve seen videos of the horse and she looks promising. No pressure Paul, but I hope you picked a winner!
“I have seen what The Good Racing Company has achieved for Rob Burrow and how it has united the racing community.
“I am hopeful that this new racing club will achieve the same success of We’ve Got This, and my family and I look forward to following the excitement and being part of this new community.”
A post from the Graham Lee Racing Club page on These visits have made such a difference to Dad’s motivation and help make the days brighter.’
Lee said he felt “humbled” by the response after donations poured in for him
He was pictured with racing commentator Derek Thompson last month, with the broadcaster posting an emotional tribute
Lee was also pictured with racing commentator Derek Thompson last month, with the broadcaster posting an emotional tribute to him.
‘A hero in the saddle and the only jockey to ever win the Grand National AND the Ascot Racecourse Gold Cup. The smile hasn’t changed and ‘the hero’ in Graham Lee has just gotten bigger. It was an honor to visit my friend Graham in hospital today and hear about the fantastic support provided by The Injured Jockeys Fund
‘A year ago we co-hosted a Cheltenham Preview evening and I very much hope that Graham will be by my side hosting another next year. Let us continue to show our immense respect, love and support
His daughter Amy said: “The generosity of the Good Racing Club and Injured Jockeys’ Fund has been enormous,” she said. ‘It has already made a world of difference.
‘Daddy has always just been daddy to me. I never really noticed how many people see him as a role model. I thought, “Wow, that’s amazing.” Dad’s condition is still the same, but we hope he will be discharged soon.”
Lee is the only jockey to have ridden the winner of both the Grand National and Gold Cup
The married father of two children has had a fantastic career. His greatest moment as a jump jockey came in 2004 when he teamed up with Amberleigh House for Red Rum’s trainer Ginger McCain to lead the Grand National to an emotional triumph.
His victories also included the 2005 World Hurdle (now known as the Stayers Hurdle) at Inglis Drever, when he was principal owner Graham Wylie’s retained runner.
Lee moved to Flat Racing in 2012 and has continued to enjoy tremendous success.
His red letter day came in 2015 at Royal Ascot when he teamed up with Trip To Paris to win the Gold Cup.
To further prove his versatility, Lee won the 2018 Nunthorpe Stakes from York – the shortest Group One in the Flat calendar – when he piloted home Alpha Delphini for trainer Bryan Smart.
