11:54am Wednesday 3rd September 2008
By Russell Smith
The racing communities of East and West Ilsley are still coming to terms with the horrific car crash which left trainer Mick Channon with serious injuries and killed his longtime friend Tim Corby.
Channon, his 15-year-old son Jack, and Corby were returning from the Doncaster Sales last Wednesday when the silver Mercedes Corby was driving left the M1 near Kegworth, Leicestershire, and hit a concrete pillar.
Corby, 63, who owned a house in East Ilsley and was seen as Channon's righthand man, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
West Ilsley trainer Channon suffered broken ribs, a broken arm, a fractured jaw and a punctured lung.
The 59-year-old former Southampton and England footballer and his son were taken to the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, by air ambulance.
Channon underwent surgery to have his jaw wired.
He was moved on Monday to The Park Hospital, a private unit in Nottingham, where he is expected to continue his recuperation over the next few days.
Jack Channon was left "battered and bruised", but was not seriously injured.
The trainer's eldest son, Michael, said: "Dad's move to The Park confirms he is making good progress in his recovery. It was a hectic day for him, but he took it in his stride."
And he added: "I make no apologies for saying this, but the man is simply incredible.
"He loves people and he loves his horses. Above all else, he simply relishes competing. I think that's why Tim was his perfect foil."
Corby, who leaves a part- ner Sheila and daughter Adriana, owned Ranway Stud, near Kettering, which he operated from.
A bloodstock agent, the best known horse he bought was Katchit, who raced 14 times for him on the Flat before being sold to go hurdling with Alan King, who trained him to win this year's Champion Hurdle.
Barathea Guest, who finished third in the 2000 Guineas eight years ago, was another of his notable purchases.
He was also racing manager to the Box 41 syndicate, which has enjoyed success with many of his buys including Orizaba and Halicarn- assus.
Following the accident, Michael Channon Jnr said: "He was a renowned figure in the racing scene who was universally popular in the industry and he will be sorely missed by the residents of East and West Ilsley, all of his many friends, and most of all the Corby family."
Inevitably, each winner to emerge from Channon's yard since the crash has had a certain poignancy attached to it.
Woolston Ferry, partly owned by Peter Taplin, a friend of Corby's, was the first to score following the accident when taking a Lingfield nursery.
A day later, Michael Channon Jnr dedicated Alphabeth's Wolverhampton win to Corby's memory.
And Barraland and Silver Games, carrying the colours of Box 41 and trained by Channon, evoked further memories of Corby when posting a Folkestone double.
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