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Josh Gifford, the legendary former jockey and trainer, died on Thursday morning in hospital after being taken in overnight. Gifford, 70, fought a long battle with septicaemia.

Gifford, the four-time champion jockey, took over the famous Downs Stables in Findon in 1970 and sent out a succession of big-race winners, including seven Cheltenham Festival winners.

His most famous winner was Aldaniti, hero of the 1981 Grand National under Bob Champion, who had fought back from cancer. The story was commemorated in the film Champions, starring John Hurt. Gifford was played by Edward Woodward.

Gifford, who retired from training in 2003 and passed the license on to his son Nick, had been recovering from a serious case of septicaemia which hospitalised him in the autumn.

Trainer Richard Rowe said: "He was a hero as far as I'm concerned and we had many great times together. I left school at 16, spent my whole riding career with him and he has been a friend ever since.

"He has been like a father to me, I actually popped in to see him last week and he was in great form. True to form I left three and a half hours later after just popping in to say Hi.

"He was a true gent. I've never met anyone who would say otherwise, you couldn't wish to meet a better man. My thoughts are with his wonderful family in such tough times."

9 February 2012