Grand National first jump, suddenly veered across the leading group at the 23rd, causing them to either stop, refuse or unseat their riders. Racing journalist Lord Oaksey described the resulting pile-up by saying that Popham Down had "cut down the leaders like a row of thistles". Some horses even started running in the wrong direction, back the way they had come. Foinavon, whose owner had such little faith in him that he had travelled to Worcester that day instead, had been lagging some 100 yards behind the leading pack, giving his jockey, John Buckingham, time to steer his mount wide of the
Bill Dutton (trainer) Bill Dutton (trainer) William Parker "Bill" Dutton (19011958) was a British jockey and Thoroughbred racehorse trainer. Born into a Cheshire farming family, Dutton graduated from Cambridge University and studied to become a solicitor before opting to pursue a career in horse racing. In the 1920s he rode as an amateur jockey in National Hunt races. In 1928 he recorded his most notable success when winning the Grand National on the 100/1 outsider Tipperary Tim. Dutton began training racehorses in 1932, setting up a stable at Hednesford in Staffordshire. His training career was suspended during World War II, when he served