- Graham Lee suffered life-changing injuries during fall at Newcastle Racecourse
- He is now paralyzed from the neck down and his family have raised £200,000 for him.
- Lee said he was “humbled” by the support after donations poured in.
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Jockey Graham Lee was left tragically paralyzed from the neck down after fracturing his spine after falling from his horse in November.
The Grand National winner, 48, suffered life-changing injuries during the crash at Newcastle Racecourse last year after being unseated from his mount Ben Marduk when the stalls opened up for a handicap race.
Lee, a highly respected figure in the weighing room, was taken to hospital for further evaluation and treatment before being transferred to an intensive care unit. In February, he was photographed in a wheelchair.
It has now been revealed that Lee suffered a cervical fracture which damaged his spinal cord and he now has no movement below his head and neck.
His daughter Amy has set up a Just Giving page which has raised more than £200,000 to help him, with donations going to the Injured Jockeys Fund charity.
Grand National-winning jockey Graham Lee was left 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 by Quiet Reflection).
Since then, a fundraiser organized for Lee by his daughter Amy (pictured) has raised more than £200,000.
Lee said he was “humbled” by the response to the fundraiser, with the help of the Good Racing Club, which helped set up the Graham Lee Racing Club. They were also instrumental in a similar gesture towards former Leeds Rhinos star and MND victim Rob Burrow.
“I am very honored that a racing club has been created to raise funds in my honor and that Paul Hanagan has chosen the horse for me,” he said. ‘They have shown me videos of the horse and it looks very promising. No pressure Paul, but I hope you picked a winner!
‘I’ve seen what The Good Racing Company has achieved for Rob Burrow and how it has brought the racing community together.
“I have high hopes that this new racing club will achieve the same success as We’ve Got This, and my family and I look forward to continuing the excitement and being a part of this new community.”
A post from the Graham Lee Racing Club page on today! “These visits have made a big difference in Dad’s motivation and have helped make the days brighter.”
Lee said he was “humbled” by the response after donations poured in.
He was pictured with racing commentator Derek Thompson last month, and the broadcaster posted an emotional tribute.
Lee was also pictured with racing commentator Derek Thompson last month, and the broadcaster posted a touching 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 simply 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 organized a Cheltenham preview evening together and I really hope Graham will be by my side organizing another one next year. Let’s continue to show our enormous respect, love and support.
His daughter Amy said: “The generosity of the Good Racing Club and Injured Jockeys’ Fund has been enormous,” he said. “It has already made a big difference.
‘Dad has always been dad to me. I’ve never really understood how much people see him as a role model. I thought “Wow, that’s amazing.” “Dad’s condition remains 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 the Gold Cup.
Married, father of two children, he has enjoyed a magnificent career; His biggest moment as a jump jockey came in 2004, when he partnered Amberleigh House for Red Rum trainer Ginger McCain in the Grand National and scored an emotional win.
His wins also include the 2005 World Hurdle (now known as the Stayers Hurdle) at Inglis Drever when he was the runner retained by leading owner Graham Wylie.
Lee switched to Flat racing in 2012 and continued to enjoy great success.
His breakout day came at Royal Ascot in 2015 when he teamed up with Trip To Paris to win the Gold Cup.
To further demonstrate his versatility, Lee won York’s Nunthorpe Stakes, the shortest Group One on the Flat calendar, in 2018 when he guided Alpha Delphini home for trainer Bryan Smart.