Graham Bradley, the Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey known for his talents and turbulent career, died on July 2, 2026, at the age of 65 from complications related to semantic dementia. Bradley’s career, spanning more than two decades, was marked by significant victories as well as controversies that ultimately led to a suspension that sidelined him from the sport.

Born on September 8, 1960, in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, Bradley was the son of trainer Norman Bradley. He began his rise in horse racing with early encouragement from Grand National-winning jockey Tommy Stack and quickly established a reputation as a skilled horseman. Bradley rode his first winner in 1980 and went on to amass 686 victories in Britain during his career.

Among his most notable achievements, Bradley won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1983 aboard Bregawn and claimed the 1985 Irish Grand National with Rhyme ’n’ Reason. He also secured victories in prestigious events such as the Grand Annual Chase, Welsh Grand National, Charlie Hall Chase, King George VI Chase with Wayward Lad, and the Hennessy Gold Cup with Suny Bay. Despite a career filled with major wins, the Grand National at Aintree remained elusive, with a second-place finish aboard Suny Bay in 1998 his closest attempt.

Bradley is perhaps best remembered for his unexpected triumph in the 1996 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. Initially slated to ride the favourite, he arrived late to a pivotal schooling session, reportedly due to oversleeping after attending a late-night birthday party and experiencing a power failure that prevented his alarm from ringing. The horse’s owner replaced him with Richard Dunwoody for the ride on Alderbrook, the previous year’s winner. However, when both the first and second-choice jockeys withdrew, Bradley was offered a chance to ride Collier Bay, a horse he was familiar with from previous races. He capitalized on this opportunity, defeating Alderbrook by two and a half lengths.

Despite his on-track successes, Bradley’s career was marred by disciplinary issues. Notably, in 2002 he was suspended for eight years (later reduced to five on appeal) and fined £2,500 by the Jockey Club after a three-day inquiry determined he had passed privileged information to Brian Wright, a wanted drug smuggler, in exchange for favors. Bradley acknowledged the misconduct but maintained that he was treated unfairly by racing authorities. His subsequent legal challenges to overturn the ban were unsuccessful, leaving him barred from racecourses and training yards until 2009.

Bradley’s career also included earlier sanctions for breaches of racing rules, including a two-month suspension in 1982 for betting while in the ring and a three-month suspension for non-trier offences. In 1999, he was arrested and charged with race-fixing after allegedly pulling up the favourite Man Mood during a race, an accusation that was eventually dropped.

After retiring from riding in 1999, Bradley found success as a bloodstock agent, purchasing horses for high-profile clients including footballers Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler. He spent his later years living in France with his long-term partner Amanda Wilson and their daughter, Georgia May.

Colleagues remembered Bradley as a talented and warm individual despite the controversies. Jockey and commentator Brough Scott noted that Bradley remained friendly and personable even as he battled dementia in his later years.

Graham Bradley’s life in racing was characterized by flashes of brilliance and moments of misjudgment, leaving behind a legacy both celebrated and cautionary in the world of British horse racing.