SAD LOSS
Tragic jockey Liam Treadwell died after taking ‘cocktail of drugs’, inquest into 100-1 Grand National winner hears
TRAGIC Liam Treadwell died after taking a 'knock me out cocktail' of drugs, an inquest has heard.
Treadwell shocked the world when he won the 2009 Grand National on 100-1 shot Mon Mome.
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He died aged 34 and police discovered his body at his Shropshire home on June 23 last year.
A post-mortem found the jockey's cause of death to be 'multi-drug toxicity'.
An inquest in Shrewsbury heard how Treadwell had taken the drugs on the evening of June 22.
He then texted a friend to let them know what he had done.
Read out 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."
John Ellery, senior coroner for Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin, said that although Treadwell had considered the risk, he did not mean to kill himself.
A conclusion of misadventure was reached.
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Statements from Treadwell's family read out in court told of how he was an 'outstanding' student at school.
He was described as a 'sociable' and 'bubbly' person who went onto ride more than 300 winners.
However, in 2016 he was knocked unconscious for two to three minutes following a fall at Bangor racecourse in Wales.
Treadwell had to take months off to recover from his injury and Ellery said: "If there is to be one significant turning point, it seems to be that.";
Ellery added: "Beneath Liam's public success was a history of anxiety and depression."
Treadwell's friend and fellow jockey James Banks had taken his own life four months before his own death.
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Treadwell hung up the saddle in 2018 after a series of head knocks and personal problems, including a split from wife Emily.
He also ended up in hospital on one occasion after 'drinking to excess'.
He did return to the sport riding for trainer Alastair Ralph and his last winner came at Hereford on March 16 last year.
But it was for that amazing victory on Mon Mome that Treadwell will always be remembered.
That triumph at Aintree came aboard the joint-biggest-priced winner of the most famous race in the world.
Treadwell was also known for his teeth that Claire Balding infamously commented on after Mon Mome's win, and later apologised for.
Treadwell laughed off the remarks and was rewarded with a new free set of teeth in the aftermath.
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After learning of his passing last year, Balding tweeted: "I am desperately sad to hear of the death of Liam Treadwell. My heart goes out to his family and all his friends.
"He was the loveliest guy with a great sense of humour and I know how much the IJF has supported him in recent years. It is a tragedy to have lost him so young."
A statement from Treadwell's family also revealed how he had struggled with lockdown.
The statement read: "Liam didn't enjoy long periods on his own."
It also told of how he had spent time with parents Mark and Lorraine and younger brother Nathan before his death.
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The statement concluded: "I really don't believe it was Liam's time to say goodbye."
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans on (free) 116123 or 020 7734 2800.
Grand National winning National Hunt jockey Liam Treadwell dead at 34