As the jockeys saddle up at Sandown racecourse today it'll be a poignant moment for trainer Josh Gifford, who retires after 50 years in the business.

When Aldaniti galloped across the winning line at the Grand National in 1981, it was a fairytale ending to one of the most emotional sporting stories of all time.

Jockey Bob Champion was back in the saddle after winning his personal battle against cancer and his chestnut mount had fought his way back from devastating injury.

The nation was moved to tears by the astounding triumph over tragedy. Their story later sparked a blockbuster movie, Champion, starring John Hurt.

But one man had more reason than most to be proud of the triple achievement.

Trainer Josh Gifford had faith in the horse that had been dogged by injury and in Champion's unbreakable spirit.

The Aintree victory was undoubtedly the pinnacle of Josh's illustrious 50-year career.

Today his life's work reaches the final furlong at Sandown on the Isle of Wight when his last runner, Skycab, races in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase.

On Monday Josh, 61, hands over the reins of the business to his son Nick, 31, his assistant for the past 12 months.

Last night, as he prepared for his final professional race, Josh said it was not a hard decision to bring the curtain down on his training career.

"I've had a fabulous time as both a jockey and a trainer but it's a young man's game. I've been at it for 50 years, Nick is mad keen to get going and I don't want to stand in his way.

"I will still be involved. I'll probably end up mucking out and driving horse boxes just the same but I won't have to go to every race or deal with complaints.

"I will still be around but I won't feel guilty about taking a holiday or going for a day's shooting. I might even get to watch the cricket or play some more golf."

Josh rode his first race on the flat at the age of 11 and was hooked on horse racing. He went on to romp home with 642 winners and became champion jump jockey on four occasions.

He had the distinction of riding triple Grand National winner Red Rum in his first hurdles race.

Josh retired from riding early - at 28 - and turned to training, taking over the Downs Stables at Findon, near Worthing, from Captain Ryan Price in 1970.

His first winner, Cheers Echo, passed the post in 1970 and was followed by another 1,600 winners including a succession of household names like Shady Deal, Royal Judgement, Door Latch, Midnight Count, Deep Sensation and Kybo.

Josh, who was made an MBE in 1989, recognises he has been fortunate.

"I have been lucky as there have been so many highlights. Winning the National was a wonderful day, all my rides at Aintree were memorable and so was getting the MBE. But every one of those days, every winner was a milestone and a great thrill."

His career has been littered with great characters.

"Ron James, who was my head lad, was a real character and wonderful with the staff and Ryan Price was probably the greatest character of the lot.

"And I've have had a lot of great horses. Deep Sensation and Bradbury Star were two very good servants and both won £500,000 in prize money. Aldaniti was a very brave horse."

Josh is not one for wasting time worrying about what might have been.

But his one regret is not equalling Fred Winter's feat of being champion jockey and trainer over jumps. He was just pipped for the latter honour by David Elsworth in 1988.

"I think I got a bit blas there when Desert Orchid won the Whitbread Gold Cup. I wasn't so far behind David. I should have made my mind up, been a bit more competitive and gone for it.

"But on the whole, I don't look back on the low points."

He said although the sport itself had not changed over the course of his career, elements of it had.

"Certainly owners have changed. The old, genuinely wealthy owners have gone. These days, people make their money more quickly and they also want quick success.

"They buy a horse and expect results straight away and that doesn't really happen in racing.

"Another thing that has changed for the better is safety. There have been wonderful improvements.

"Racing hasn't changed. I hope it doesn't. We have the best racing in the world - flat racing, steeplechasing, every course is different, every ground is different and that all adds to the attraction.

"We don't want it to change. And of course it also brings a whole lot of money into the country."

Josh's business has always been a family affair.

Wife Althea, daughter Tina and Nick are all accomplished riders in their own right. He has made no secret he wanted the stables to remain in the family.

Success has been harder to come by in recent years. The highly-promising Rouble, predicted by Josh to be another Red Rum, was killed at Cheltenham.

Nick will be starting next season with 30 to 35 horses in his care and all the advice he cares to take from his father.

Josh said: "We have got some nice young horses and hopefully there will be a star or two among them. Nick's job will be to get out and about and start building it up. A lot of the hard work now is getting new owners."

He is grateful he settled in Findon and has no plans to move or, indeed, travel. "I'm not a great one for travelling. I'm always on the move."

Modestly, he puts a good deal of his success down to luck.

He said: "There are lucky people and lucky horses.

"I'm one of those lucky people who happened to be in the right place at the right time at significant moments in my life.

"I think now is the right time to hand over to Nick. I'll happily work for him - until he sacks me."