1837 Grand National
Encyclopedia
The 1837 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the second of three unofficial annual precursors of a Handicap Steeple-chase, later to become known as the Grand National Steeplechase horse race which took place at Aintree Racecourse
near Liverpool
on 4 March 1837 and attracted a field of four runners. This race did not carry the prestige of the future Grand Nationals and its status as an official Grand National was revoked some time between 1862 and 1873.
; he continued some way behind his three rivals. On the second circuit Dan O'Connell fell and brought down Zanga and The Disowned. While the three riders were attempting to regain their mounts to continue, The Duke came to, and cleared, the same fence, continuing on to secure a long lead. Victory for The Duke was certain after he cleared the final flight of hurdles and he was slowed to a mere trot long before passing the finishing post. The Disowned was remounted to finish second, twelve lengths behind, while Dan O'Connell finished a distance behind in third. Zanga ran loose and did not complete the course.
The race was won in a time of fourteen minutes, beating the previous year's time by five minutes and fifty seconds
until the mid 1860s when newspapers began omitting the race, and those of 1836
and 1838
, from the records of previous winners. This in turn led to a popular, but incorrect, belief that the race was run over a course at Maghull
and not Aintree
, and became the official view held by Aintree when a board listing the winners of all previous Nationals was erected underneath the stands in 1894, stating that the races of 1837, and 1838 were run at Maghull. Although it is now widely acknowledged that the race was indeed run at Aintree, it is also the official view of Aintree that the races prior to 1839 should not be included as legitimate Grand Nationals and should be regarded more as precursors. As a result The Duke is not listed in official publications as a dual winner of the race.
Aintree Racecourse
Aintree Racecourse is a racecourse in Aintree, Merseyside, England.It was served by Aintree Racecourse railway station until the station closed in the 1960s....
near Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
on 4 March 1837 and attracted a field of four runners. This race did not carry the prestige of the future Grand Nationals and its status as an official Grand National was revoked some time between 1862 and 1873.
Competitors and betting
Four horses lined up for the start of the race for which starting prices are not recorded. The competitors were:- Dan O'Connell, a 6 year old ridden by Mr J Knaresborough
- The Disowned, a 6 year old ridden by Alan McDonough
- The DukeThe Duke (racehorse)The Duke was a racehorse that won the first Great Liverpool Steeplechase at Aintree, which would be later renamed the Grand National. His rider was Captain Martin Becher after whom the famous fence Becher's Brook was named...
, the 8 year old winner of the 1836 Great Liverpool Steeplechase1836 Grand NationalThe 1836 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the first of three unofficial annual precursors of a handicap race which later became known as the Grand National....
, ridden by Henry Potts - Zanga, a 7 year old ridden by John DevineJohn DevineJohn Anthony Devine is an Irish former footballer and Manager/Coach.Born in Dublin, Devine joined London club Arsenal in November 1974 as an apprentice. Part of a large young Irish contingent at Arsenal , Devine turned professional in 1976...
, the only rider to have competed in the race the previous year.
The race
All four runners completed the first mile of the race without mishap before The Duke refused a fence beside the bridge over the Leeds and Liverpool CanalLeeds and Liverpool Canal
The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is a canal in Northern England, linking the cities of Leeds and Liverpool. Over a distance of , it crosses the Pennines, and includes 91 locks on the main line...
; he continued some way behind his three rivals. On the second circuit Dan O'Connell fell and brought down Zanga and The Disowned. While the three riders were attempting to regain their mounts to continue, The Duke came to, and cleared, the same fence, continuing on to secure a long lead. Victory for The Duke was certain after he cleared the final flight of hurdles and he was slowed to a mere trot long before passing the finishing post. The Disowned was remounted to finish second, twelve lengths behind, while Dan O'Connell finished a distance behind in third. Zanga ran loose and did not complete the course.
Finishing order
| position | name | rider | age | weight | starting price | dstance or fate |
| Winner | The Duke The Duke (racehorse) The Duke was a racehorse that won the first Great Liverpool Steeplechase at Aintree, which would be later renamed the Grand National. His rider was Captain Martin Becher after whom the famous fence Becher's Brook was named... |
Henry Potts | 8 | 12-00 | 12 lengths | |
| Second (remounted) | The Disowned | Alan McDonough | 6 | 12-00 | A distance {over 30 lengths} | |
| Third (remounted) | Dan O'Connell | J Knaresborough | 6 | 12-00 | Last to finish | |
| Non finishers | ||||||
| Zanga | John Divine | 7 | 12-00 | Brought down |
The race was won in a time of fourteen minutes, beating the previous year's time by five minutes and fifty seconds
Aftermath
The race would go on to be regarded as the second running of the Grand NationalGrand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
until the mid 1860s when newspapers began omitting the race, and those of 1836
1836 Grand National
The 1836 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the first of three unofficial annual precursors of a handicap race which later became known as the Grand National....
and 1838
1838 Grand National
The 1838 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the last of three unofficial annual precursors of a Handicap Steeple-chase, later to become known as the Grand National Steeplechase Horse race which took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool on 5 March 1838 and attracted a field of three runners...
, from the records of previous winners. This in turn led to a popular, but incorrect, belief that the race was run over a course at Maghull
Maghull
Maghull is a town and civil parish within the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, in Merseyside, England. The town is located eight miles north of the City of Liverpool and south of Ormskirk in West Lancashire. The area of Moss Side also contains HM Prison Kennet and Ashworth Hospital. Maghull had a...
and not Aintree
Aintree
Aintree is a village and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Merseyside. It lies between Walton and Maghull on the A59 road, about north of Liverpool city centre, in North West England....
, and became the official view held by Aintree when a board listing the winners of all previous Nationals was erected underneath the stands in 1894, stating that the races of 1837, and 1838 were run at Maghull. Although it is now widely acknowledged that the race was indeed run at Aintree, it is also the official view of Aintree that the races prior to 1839 should not be included as legitimate Grand Nationals and should be regarded more as precursors. As a result The Duke is not listed in official publications as a dual winner of the race.
Source
- www.hometown.aol.co.uk/captainbeecher/1837DUKE.html