AINTREE SPECIAL
Amputee hero rides into history today
FORMER Army captain Guy Disney will make history today when he becomes the first amputee to ride over the daunting Grand National fences.
Disney lost his right leg from the knee down in Afghanistan when his vehicle was struck by a grenade in Helmand province in July 2009, and now rides with a prosthetic lower leg.
Today he will achieve a lifelong ambition when he partners Gallery Exhibition in the Randox Foxhunters’, which takes place over a circuit of the Grand National course – a race that captured his imagination after he watched Julian Pritchard win on Gunner Welburn in 2001.
Two years ago, Disney showed he is up to the challenge when he became the first amputee to win a race under Rules in Britain when partnering Rathlin Rose to victory in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup, a three-mile steeplechase, at Sandown. The pair added to that success in this year’s contest.
But his achievements do not sit comfortably with the 36-year-old former soldier, who plays down his battles with adversity. But he reluctantly concedes he has been an inspiration for those struggling with an impairment.
“I feel slightly uncomfortable about that,” he said. “I promise you I’m really a selfish pig. I do exactly what I want to do in my life.
“I’ve sat on the coat-tails of other people. I could not have done what I have without the doctor who helped me get my licence. That horse at Sandown [Rathlin Rose] could have won with anyone on its back.
“I’m not trying to be humble. I just think it’s frustrating that I get all the pats on the back and the plaudits for a lot of other people’s hard work.”
And it turns out not everyone admires Disney’s heroic achievements. “I was forwarded a tweet, sent by some random keyboard warriors, ‘I hope he falls off and breaks his back’. I find this extraordinary,” he said.
Before he lost his leg, Disney was a successful amateur rider and the chances of him returning to racing appeared to be over. “On my first meeting with the British Horseracing Authority doctor, he said it would never happen,” said Disney. “It was not until I met Dr David Carey, and we were working the case together.
“A lot of it’s about changing perception. It should not be any different if somebody rides to the right standard, is safe on his horse and with the other jockeys. It’s a shame to live in a society when it automatically says you should not do that.
“Look at the Invictus Games and the Paralympics, at what they do. I’m not comparing myself to them as they are proper athletes, but they have changed a few perceptions.” Disney rides with an enclosed stirrup, which resembles a boot, and keeps his prosthetic lower leg in place.
He said: “When I lost my leg, I remember getting a letter from Fergie Sutherland [the Cheltenham Gold Cupwinning trainer who lost his leg in the Korean War] who rode in point-to-points. It inspired me to ride again.”
To say that Disney, the Malvern College-educated son of an Oxfordshire doctor, likes a challenge is an understatement. He became the first amputee to walk to the North and South Poles, the latter when he was part of Prince Harry’s Walking With The Wounded team.
Today his focus will be on Aintree and he has an excellent partner in Gallery Exhibition. Kim Bailey, whose doctor is Disney’s father, trains the gelding who finished fifth in
It’s frustrating I get pats on the back for other people’s hard work
the 2016 Topham Chase, which takes place over today’s course.
“I saw Guy when he was in hospital, so I’ve known the story from day one,” said Bailey. “When he was lying in hospital, all he wanted to do was ride in a race and get back in the saddle. That was his ultimate dream.
“Guy has schooled the horse over National-type fences and has every chance, as long as the ground isn’t too heavy.”
Disney added: “I will be in the changing room with jockeys who have been my heroes. I’m incredibly lucky to the have the chance of jumping round Aintree. When I was injured, an 18-year-old soldier next to me died. I am very fortunate.”