The BBC was forced to apologise today after almost 1,500 viewers complained that a presenter had mocked the surprise Grand National winner for the condition of his teeth.

Liam Treadwell, the young jockey who rode Mon Mome to a shock win at Aintree on Saturday, was interviewed live immediately after the race.

In the winner’s enclosure, Clare Balding congratulated Treadwell, 23, for securing victory in Britain’s most-highest profile horse race before belittling his dental health in front of millions of television viewers.

“Give us a big grin to the camera,” said Balding, the BBC’s best-known racing presenter. Then, as the crowd laughed, she continued: “No, let’s see your teeth. He hasn’t got the best in the world but you can afford to go and get them done now.”

Treadwell, a previously unknown jockey, won the National at his first attempt on a horse that was 100-1 to win the race – the longest odds for a winner for more than 40 years. Rather than looking elated, the jockey appeared to be intensely embarrassed as he was encouraged to undergo dental reconstruction.

He replied to Baldwin: “Well I could do, but I ain’t complaining. It might be bringing on bad luck if I do that, though.”

The BBC apologised on behalf on Balding today after receiving 1,477 complaints. The presenter was unavailable for comment and has not issued a public apology herself, although she sent a text message saying sorry to the jockey yesterday.

A BBC spokesman said. “Clare Balding had no intention whatsoever of upsetting or embarrassing Liam Treadwell, but she fully accepts that she should not have raised the subject with him at that time.

“The BBC and Clare apologise for any offence caused. Clare has also apologised directly to Liam Treadwell.”

Treadwell said: “Of course it was the wrong thing for her to say, and under normal circumstances I might have said something back, but yesterday wasn’t a normal day. I was on top of the world and nothing could ruin that.”

His mother, Lorraine, confirmed today that the callous remark had failed to spoil her son’s day. Mrs Treadwell said: “If I am totally honest, when I saw the interview live I was a bit shocked, then I thought to myself, I don’t care, Liam has just won the Grand National, that’s all I care about.”

She said her son had since received an apology. “I almost feel a bit sorry for Clare with all the grief she’s getting,” she said, adding that she had only risked a 50p bet on her son, who shocked her as well as the racing pundits this weekend.

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