A GRAND NATIONAL trainer and former champion jockey is coming out of retirement to ride against his wife, son and daughter in a famous Newmarket race.
Welsh handler Tim Vaughan is gearing up for a true family affair in the Town Plate – the world’s longest Flat contest.
InstagramGrand National trainer Tim will take on wife Abbi, daughter Grace and son Ed when the Vaughan family all ride in the same race[/caption]
Vaughan, seen here on holiday with personality Tom Skinner, says his gym sessions have seen him lose two stone ahead of his return to the saddle
In what is thought to be a British first in racing, four members of the same family will do battle in the charity bash.
Run over a massive 3m6f, it’s a distance Vaughan is more used to as a trainer of staying chasers.
In fact, Vaughan had hopes of winning the world’s most famous race in 2023 when Eva’s Oskar was running a beauty.
The 50-1 outsider was rolling along nicely at Aintree under Alan Johns when fate cruelly intervened and he unseated his rider at the 21st fence.
Vaughan, a former chartered surveyor who is based just outside Cardiff, has combined training with a tough fitness regime as he gets ready to race again.
He was Champion Welsh point-to-point jockey many moons ago and rode 117 winners between the flags.
Now a Grade 1-winning trainer, his son Edward has shown plenty of skill in the saddle too.
Daughter Grace knows what she is doing on horseback as well, while wife Abbi won a charity race at Chepstow a few years ago.
Vaughan told the Racing Post it had been ‘carnage’ in the house ahead of the race on August 23.
The mind games have well and truly begun – and Vaughan, 45, has been hitting the gym in a bit to shift some weight.
It’s proved successful – he’s lost two stone since he started working out.
Vaughan said: “It’s been real fun, we’ve been winding each other up and I’m trying to pick the fastest horse so that I win.
“We’ve had such a good time getting there, there’s been so much camaraderie already.
“We’ve got four horses lined up and I’m definitely the most bullish as I’m choosing the horses.
“Me and Ed have a lot of competition for it, the girls are a little less aggressive.
“Ed thought Grace’s was faster the other day and tried jocking her off, I’m trying to jock Abbi off and we’re all scrambling!
“It’s been carnage, things have been getting heated in the house.
“It’s got me fitter and sharper, we’re all pumped.”
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