1845 Grand National
Encyclopedia
The 1845 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the seventh annual running 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 Wednesday 5 March 1845 and attracted a field of fifteen runners. It was won by the unconsidered outsider Cure-All, ridden by William Loft in a record time of ten minutes, forty-seven seconds.
Only the first four horses to pass the finishing post were recorded as official finishers to the race. Another seven horse were recorded by the press as having passed the post but they were so far behind that they all finished among the many spectators who would follow the race on horse back and would enter the course when the winner passed the post. It may be that some, if not all of those who finished outside the first four bypassed the final obstacles. Another possible reason why they were not recorded as finishers is that a distance judge used to sit at a position beside the modern day chair fence and would declare any horse who had not reached his position by the time the previous horse passed the post as being distanced and would pull them up.
The winning owner and rider was William loft from Healing, Lincolnshire
near Grimsby
, although he leased the ownership of the horse to Mr Sterling Crawford for the Grand National
. Loft also officially trained the horse as well but this duty was more likely handled by Christopher Crisp, known as Kitty. Crisp actually walked every step of the road from Grimsby to Liverpool
with the horse and after their victory they returned home the same way with the Healing church bells sounded in their honour upon their arrival.
Loft was one of nine riders making their debut in the race while Tom Olliver was taking a record seventh ride in the race.
Clansman's fatal fall at the Canal Turn was the second equine fatality in the history of the race and the first for six years.
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 Wednesday 5 March 1845 and attracted a field of fifteen runners. It was won by the unconsidered outsider Cure-All, ridden by William Loft in a record time of ten minutes, forty-seven seconds.
Finishing order
| position | name | rider | age | weight | starting price | dstance or fate |
| Winner | Cure-All Cure-All Cure-All was a half bred racehorse by Physician out of an unknown dam who won the 1845 Grand National Steeplechase when an unconsidered outsider.... |
William Loft William Loft William Loft William Loft William Loft (born Seaford, Sussex 14 September 1803 - died Grimsby 15 December 1887 was a farmer and one time steeplechase rider best remembered for his victory in the 1845 Grand National riding Cure-All.... |
11-05 | Not quoted | ||
| Second | Peter Simple Peter Simple (racehorse) Peter Simple was the third racehorse in history to win the Grand National steeplechase twice, emulating The Duke and Abd-El-Kader. After winning in 1849 the horse failed to complete the course during the next three years before winning again in 1853 at the age of 15, the oldest ever winner.A full... |
John Frisby | 11-12 | 9/1 | ||
| Third | The Exquisite | Larry Byrne | 11-12 | Not quoted | ||
| Fourth | Tom Tug | John Crickmere | 10-02 | 5/1 | ||
| Non finishers | ||||||
| Boxkeeper | H Bradley | 11-04 | Not quoted | Finished fifth but may not have jumped all the fences | ||
| Ceremony | Terry Abbot | 11-00 | Not quoted | Finished sixth but may not have jumped all the fences | ||
| Peter Swift | Horatio Powell | 10-12 | 9/1 | Finished seventh but may not have jumped all the fences | ||
| The Stranger | H Hill | 10-10 | 9/1 | Finished eighth but may not have jumped all the fences | ||
| Nimrod | Joseph French | 10-08 | 9/1 | Finished ninth but may not have jumped all the fences | ||
| Brilliant | William Noble | 10-04 | 10/1 | Finished tenth but may not have jumped all the fences | ||
| The Romp | J Thompson | 10-04 | Not quoted | Finished eleventh but may not have jumped all the fences | ||
| The Page | William Holman senior | 11-10 | 7/1 | Refused | ||
| Becher's brook, 2nd circuit | Vanguard | Tom Olliver Tom Olliver Thomas 'Tom' Olliver , born Oliver or Olivere, was a steeplechase jockey and racehorse trainer, who won three Grand Nationals as a rider in the 1840s and 50s.... |
12-10 | 4/1 favourite | Pulled up before fence | |
| Canal Turn | Clansman | J Kelly | 11-06 | 12/1 | Fell fatally | |
| First circuit | Brenda | J Abbott | 11-07 | 6/1 | Ran out |
Details
The race was delayed due to a protest from the owners of Cure-All and Crocus over the condition of the course. Heavy rain, followed by a sharp overnight frost left parts of the course in a very hard condition, which the two owners felt was unsafe for racing. The race commenced at 5pm after the remaining owners had voted to race. The owner of Crocus, Mr Robson withdrew his horse while Cure-All went on to win.Only the first four horses to pass the finishing post were recorded as official finishers to the race. Another seven horse were recorded by the press as having passed the post but they were so far behind that they all finished among the many spectators who would follow the race on horse back and would enter the course when the winner passed the post. It may be that some, if not all of those who finished outside the first four bypassed the final obstacles. Another possible reason why they were not recorded as finishers is that a distance judge used to sit at a position beside the modern day chair fence and would declare any horse who had not reached his position by the time the previous horse passed the post as being distanced and would pull them up.
The winning owner and rider was William loft from Healing, Lincolnshire
Healing, Lincolnshire
Healing is a village and civil parish in North East Lincolnshire, England. It lies between Stallingborough and Great Coates, and to the west from Grimsby. Its population at the 2001 census was 2,606....
near Grimsby
Grimsby
Grimsby is a seaport on the Humber Estuary in Lincolnshire, England. It has been the administrative centre of the unitary authority area of North East Lincolnshire since 1996...
, although he leased the ownership of the horse to Mr Sterling Crawford for the Grand National
Grand 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...
. Loft also officially trained the horse as well but this duty was more likely handled by Christopher Crisp, known as Kitty. Crisp actually walked every step of the road from Grimsby to 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...
with the horse and after their victory they returned home the same way with the Healing church bells sounded in their honour upon their arrival.
Loft was one of nine riders making their debut in the race while Tom Olliver was taking a record seventh ride in the race.
Clansman's fatal fall at the Canal Turn was the second equine fatality in the history of the race and the first for six years.
Sources
- Irish Newsletter 1845
- The Times 1845
- Liverpool Mercury 1845
- The Field 1954