Liam Treadwell, who steered 100/1 shot Mon Mome to victory in the Grand National in 2009, has sadly passed away.
Trainer Alastair Ralph confirmed that they found Liam dead this morning. He had suffered from depression for quite some time.
After some nasty injuries (in particular a terrible fall at Bangor in 2016) and issues with his personal life, Liam gave up race-riding in 2018.
However, he returned to race-riding in recent times and was given an opportunity by trainer Alastair Ralph.
He was far from prolific with just ten winners last season and he did have a ride at this year’s Cheltenham Festival. He was last seen riding at Hereford on March 16.
He was a very talented rider who rode 300 winners in his career but his most famous win came aboard Mon Mome in 2009 for trainer Venetia Williams in the Grand National.
His ecstacy was short-lived however as racing presenter at the time, Claire Balding, humiliated him on terrestrial television making a terrible remark about his teeth.
Treadwell handled it extremely well at the time and sort of laughed off the remarks but it must have hurt him immensely. He went on to purchase a new set of teeth after the incident.
He was a young man and at just thirty-four years of age at the time of his passing had his whole life ahead of him.
We do not know the full details surrounding the circumstances of his death and more will be revealed at a later date.
Rest in peace Liam, you will be sorely missed young man.