Grand National-winning jockey Graham Lee reflects on 'emotional' reunion with old friend

Lee was touched by The Good Racing Company's idea to bring his Ascot Gold Cup hero Trip To Paris to an event where the former jockey received £40,000 to help fund life enhancing equipment

Grand National jockey Graham Lee has reflected on an "emotional" surprise reunion with one of his best racehorses. The 49-year-old met his 2015 Ascot Gold Cup hero at an event organised by fundraising syndicate The Good Racing Company.

Lee, who had a life-changing accident at Newcastle Racecourse in November 2023, received a £40,000 donation from the charity racing club to fund treatment and equipment.

"Meeting Trip to Paris again was so unexpected and so emotional," he said.

"He’s as full character now he was then. The whole day was immense and it was amazing to see firsthand the work that The Good Racing Company does. I’d like to give my heartfelt thanks for the £40,000 that it raised to help me continue my rehabilitation.”

A decade ago in June, Lee claimed Royal Ascot's most prestigious contest when Ed Dunlop-trained stayer Trip To Paris scored at odds of 12-1.

Eleven years earlier his Grand National horse Amberleigh House finished with a flourish to bag the Aintree highlight over its unique spruce-fenced course.

Lee is the only rider to have won both races, having switched to compete on the flat in 2012 during a long and distinguished career.

The Good Racing Company has sold shares in horse We've Got This, named by his wife Becky shortly after the accident.

The money will help Lee's rehabilitation from spinal injuries which left him paralysed from the waist down.

Director of Racing at The Good Racing Company Paul Hanagan said “It was very emotional handing over the donation to Graham and his family. Graham and I were weighing room colleagues for over 12 years and I feel blessed to count him as a good friend. This donation will give Graham much needed and life enhancing treatment and equipment.”

Phil Hawthorne, founder of The Good Racing Company says: “The Good Racing Company would like to thank all of the members, supporters and business partners for their continued support that has helped us achieve this fantastic charity donation.”

We’ve Got This raced five times last year and placed on four occasions. Following an encouraging reappearance, the Invincible Army filly is being primed to win this season by trainer Ivan Furtado.