FORMER jockey Gerry Griffin – the man who spotted legendary Aintree winner Monet’s Garden – has died aged 73.
Tributes have poured in for the ex-hurdles jockey and leading talent-spotter, who passes two years after the famed horse he picked out.
Griffin came to Britain from Ireland in 1967 – but it was after retirement from the saddle that he really made his name.
He noticed the potential in the now legendary Monet’s Garden before the three-time Aintree champion had ever run.
Griffin proved an invaluable aide to Nicky Richards, who trained the eye-catching grey and massive fan favourite to 17 wins in his 32 chase starts.
Monet’s Garden, who died in 2018, captured the Old Roan Chase at Aintree in 2007, 2009 and 2010 – a record three times in all.
The 2m 3f Jumps race has also been captured by iconic names such as Kauto Star and Frodon.
But it was with Monet’s Garden and Griffin that the contest is best remembered.
So much so that Monet’s Garden is now included in the official title of the race, which this year carried a £36,000 first-place prize and was won by Nuts Well.
Trainer Richards said of his late friend: “It’s very sad. We had some great days hunting about in Ireland looking for horses and I couldn’t praise him enough.
“He was a brilliant man.
“He worked with my father and then with me and his record proved he was a real top man. He found plenty of good horses.”
Former jockey John James said: “He was a very stylish jockey. You’d never seen his backside bumping up and down in the saddle.
“He was a great character in the weighin room, there was always a laugh and a joke with him.”
And trainer Nick Alexander said: “He was a fantastic judge of an animal. He could see potential in horses at the store sales that others might not see.”
