Epilepsy Society head Clare Pelham pays tribute to three-time Derby winner Walter Swinburn
- Walter Swinburn's death at the age of 55 was announced on Monday
- Swinburn was diagnosed with epilepsy eight years after a fall in 1996
- Epilepsy Society head Clare Pelham has led the tributes to the racing legend
The head of the Epilepsy Society has paid tribute to three-time Derby winner Walter Swinburn, whose death at the age of 55 was announced on Monday.
Swinburn was diagnosed with epilepsy eight years after a horrific fall during a race in Hong Kong in 1996.
Clare Pelham, chief executive of Epilepsy Society said: 'All our thoughts are with Walter's family and friends, and the racing community, at this very sad time.
Three-time Derby-winning jockey Walter Swinburn has died at the age of 55
Swinburn was diagnosed with epilepsy eight years after a horrific fall during a race in 1996
'Walter was a very loyal supporter of Epilepsy Society. He shared his own experience of epilepsy in order to raise the profile of the condition and was passionate about raising money to support research into epilepsy.
'We hope his good work will live on in his memory.'
The Epilepsy Society reproduced a speech Swinburn had given to a Fundraising dinner.
Clare Pelham, chief executive of Epilepsy Society, has led the tributes to the racing legend
The jockey said: 'The (Hong Kong) accident happened when the horse ran through the rails with me and hit a stanchion. It smashed everything on my left side and I was in a coma for a few days.
'I retired four years later due to my weight, met my wife and had a daughter, then one morning I had a seizure on the bathroom floor. It was a terrible shock. Epilepsy was mentioned but I could not get my head round it.
'I heard the name epilepsy and that was it. I did not want to accept that this was the result of something that had happened eight years ago.
Swinburn's former boss Sir Michael Stoute has described the jockey as 'one of the best ever'
'When I was first diagnosed, my confidence was at rock bottom. It almost felt like my life was over. But with the support I have received (from the Epilepsy Society) and people I have met, I now know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.'
Tributes to Swinburn were led by trainer and former boss Sir Michael Stoute, who described him as 'one of the best ever'.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
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