FOR many, deciding to donate your organs after you die is a hard enough decision to make.

But horse racing legend Richard Pitman, 69, is recovering after giving one of his kidneys to a total stranger last weekend.

The BBC television racing pundit, who lives in Letcombe Regis, decided to undergo the three-hour operation at Oxford’s Churchill Hospital after seeing a close friend benefit from a transplant.

He said “It is medicine that saves people’s lives but I have done my small part in a big team.”

His 61-year-old friend, who lives in Oxfordshire, had the donation two years ago after suffering from kidney failure.

Mr Pitman said: “I was watching him dying in front of my eyes and I have since seen him blossom. He went from dropping off to absolutely zinging.”

He said it was an easy decision for him to make knowing it could save someone’s life, adding: “The point is you have two and you only need one.”

Mr Pitman, who also works for Sky and racing channel At The Races, came home from hospital on Wednesday and hopes to return to work later this month. He said: “I feel great.

“I feel it was worthwhile and I feel strong. I am pleased I did it for that reason and I am pleased it worked.”

Mr Pitman also said he was impressed with the medical team and how quick and painless the process was.

He said: “There are risks but they point them out to you and keep telling you right up until the anaesthetic that you can pull out at any point.”

Mr Pitman’s 15-year-long career as a jockey saw him ride 470 winning horses.

He famously narrowly missed out on a Grand National win to top horse Red Rum in 1973. He now hopes to be fit enough to take part in a veterans race at the Grand National in April.

He said he did not expect to win, adding: “It will be great fun, but then I have always been a good loser.”

Mr Pitman’s kidney was successfully transplanted into the recipient the same day. However, strict rules mean details of whether the person is male or female, where they live or where the operation happened cannot be revealed.

Mr Pitman had to undergo tests for four months before the operation.

Donors usually spend three to five days in hospital after the operation.

He said he had been left tired after the operation but he had to make no lifestyle or diet changes.

Lisa Burnapp, lead nurse for living donation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said more people were donating to strangers.

“These are spontaneous and voluntary offers of donation, motivated by a decision to do something genuinely good for someone in need.

“The generosity of altruistic donors, like Richard Pitman, means that more patients can enjoy a life with their families and loved ones that is free from dialysis.”