100/1 Grand National-winning jockey from Bridgnorth died after taking drugs, inquest hears

Liam Treadwell was found dead by colleagues on the morning of June 23, 2020, at his home in Billingsley after he failed to show for work at Alastair Ralph Racing.

At the inquest into the death of the 34-year-old at Shirehall today, the court heard how paramedics and police attended his home after concerns were raised, and despite CPR being administered, he was declared dead that day.

A post-mortem found Mr Treadwell's cause of death to be multi-drug toxicity.

Statements from Mr Treadwell's family read out in court heard he was an "outstanding" student at school who excelled in sport, competing at county level throughout his childhood before focusing on horse racing at the age of 16.

A "sociable" and "bubbly" person, he went on to ride more than 300 winning horses, most notably winning the 2009 Grand National against all the odds.

In 2016, he suffered a substantial injury where he became unconscious for two to three minutes, resulting in him taking months off from racing and working with the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF), producing an informative video on the dangers of head injuries.

Referring to the injury, John Ellery, senior coroner for Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, said: "If there is to be one significant turning point, it seems to be that."

Mr Ellery added: "Beneath Liam's public success was a history of anxiety and depression."

The court heard Mr Treadwell's mental health was impacted upon by personal relationships and Covid restrictions.

'Misadventure'

He had taken drugs on the evening of June 22, before sending a text message to a friend alerting them to what he had done.

Read out as evidence in court, the text message said: "I've reached out and spoken to the crisis team this evening. I've taken a knock me out cocktail tonight. It will either end it for good or shut me down for several hours. I don't mind which."

Mr Ellery declared although Mr Treadwell had considered the risk, he did not mean to kill himself.

As a result, Mr Ellery recorded a conclusion of misadventure.

Mr Treadwell famously won the 2009 Grand National, riding outsider Mon Mome to victory against odds of 100/1.

He was also third on Monbeg Dude in 2015 and rode at Ludlow on numerous occasions.

He announced his retirement from riding in February 2018, but returned to the saddle in March 2019.

After news broke of his sudden death, the chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) paid tribute.

Nick Rust said: "Liam had a fine career in British racing, riding over 300 winners in the 17 years that he held a jockey’s licence, obviously none more memorable than his remarkable 100/1 Grand National success on Mon Mome in 2009 – a ride that cemented his place in racing folklore.

“The racing community will be united in grief today, and the thoughts of everyone at the BHA are with Liam’s friends, family and colleagues.”

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