LIAM Treadwell was a well liked man. A good man. That he died this week at the age of 34 is a tragedy.
Of course Treadwell was a Grand National hero, steering Mon Mome to an unlikely victory in the greatest jumps race of them all at Aintree in 2009.
But to be honest while heroic that is irrelevant. Treadwell was a young man. And now he has gone.
In many ways I have been feeling guilty. That is something many will struggle to understand. But some time ago I was left worried about Liam. And I did nothing.
I can remember the conversation clearly. It came at Worcester racecourse.
I was reporting for Sky Sports Racing, and I’d noted Treadwell was on the card. It surprised me as I knew he had retired.
So I went into the weighing room and asked him for a quick word.
When he came to talk to me, I said to him: “Liam, I had no idea you were back. Have I missed it in the paper? Would you like to come and have an interview to let everyone know?”
Liam politely replied: “I’m not sure Matt. I’m trying to keep it low key. Is anyone that bothered? I think I’ll just leave it as I don’t want to say too much.”
And that was that.
I was left stunned. Very few people in any profession who have been absent would not want to promote their return.
It left me feeling disappointed or, perhaps, a better word frustrated. And I remember thinking about it over and over. Because Liam and I got on just fine. I was going to promote him. It was as if he had decided the comeback was relatively pointless.
I’ve felt like this before in racing. When champion Pat Eddery died, and Pat was an absolute hero of mine, I strongly believed he had been let down and I know many of his family did as well. So many people knew Pat was suffering. But he passed away.
Of course when it comes to mental health issues and addictions, many will say you can’t help everyone. That the people involved have to want to help themselves, and that if they don’t want that there’s very little that can be done. I’m sure that is true.
Look, I am no expert on this, and I would never claim to be so. But I have been around a bit now, and trust me my life is far from always easy.
There are people out there constantly trying to ruin me and that’s a fact. And sometimes I do a pretty good job of nearly ruining myself.
It worries me that so-called experts continue to claim that racing is an industry leader in looking after its own, for all that I totally respect the work of the Injured Jockeys’ Fund and Racing Welfare.
Liam Treadwell has died. Earlier this year another jockey James Banks died. We claim to be the Sport of Kings, so let’s do even more. Let’s never think enough is enough.
This is important to me. Racing does not like people who don’t say it’s all wonderful. But it’s not all wonderful. Ask the family and friends of Treadwell and Banks if everything is going well.
I’ve been asked by an organisation called Men Unite (@_MenUnite on Twitter) to help promote their work and I’m only too willing to do so.
It’s an organisation to help struggling men to talk. It’s not full of doctors or experts. Indeed the angle is no boffins at all. Just normal men suffering, helping and supporting normal men. People who are living it, and who have lived it.
If you are reading this and in need remember you show strength – not weakness – by asking for help.
The world is a messed up place at the moment. Covid-19 has killed so many, but it will also destroy so many via lack of work and business failure. Racism and hate is rife and for many now a normal way of life. People kill and lack any value of human worth.
All decent people can do is try and be better. To understand. To care about one another, and to act when one thinks there may be an issue. You see politicians, rallies and protests might bring some awareness but they won’t change the way we are.
Only you and me can do that. Every one of us has to look in the mirror and decide if we are decent. If you are struggling in any way. Talk to someone.
