1954 Grand National
Encyclopedia
The 1954 Grand National was the 108th annual renewal of the world-famous Grand National
steeplechase
that took place at Aintree Racecourse
near Liverpool
, England
, in April 1954.
The race was won by 8/1 shot and ten-year-old gelding Royal Tan, trained by Vincent O'Brien
who also trained the previous year's winner, Early Mist, and would secure a third consecutive win the following year with Quare Times. Royal Tan was ridden by jockey Bryan Marshall, who won his second Grand National. Tudor Line was second and the 15/2 favourite Irish Lizard finished third.
Only 29 horses ran in the race, the fewest since 1935 when 27 ran. The 1954 running saw four equine fatalities during the race; this remains the only Grand National renewal to have yielded four fatalities. Dominick's Bar took the first fatal fall, at the second fence; Paris New York followed at the fourth. Legal Joy broke his leg at the 13th and was later euthanised, while Coneyburrow fatally fell at the 28th. The two latter fatalities remain the only ones ever recorded at the 13th and 28th fences of Aintree's National Course.
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...
steeplechase
Steeplechase
Steeplechase may refer to:* Steeplechase, an event in horse racing* SteepleChase, a Danish jazz label* Steeplechase , a 1975 arcade game released by Atari...
that took place at Aintree Racecourse
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...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, in April 1954.
The race was won by 8/1 shot and ten-year-old gelding Royal Tan, trained by Vincent O'Brien
Vincent O'Brien
Dr. Michael Vincent O'Brien was an Irish race horse trainer from Churchtown, County Cork, Ireland. In 2003 he was voted the greatest influence in horse racing history, according to a worldwide vote hosted by the Racing Post newspaper...
who also trained the previous year's winner, Early Mist, and would secure a third consecutive win the following year with Quare Times. Royal Tan was ridden by jockey Bryan Marshall, who won his second Grand National. Tudor Line was second and the 15/2 favourite Irish Lizard finished third.
Only 29 horses ran in the race, the fewest since 1935 when 27 ran. The 1954 running saw four equine fatalities during the race; this remains the only Grand National renewal to have yielded four fatalities. Dominick's Bar took the first fatal fall, at the second fence; Paris New York followed at the fourth. Legal Joy broke his leg at the 13th and was later euthanised, while Coneyburrow fatally fell at the 28th. The two latter fatalities remain the only ones ever recorded at the 13th and 28th fences of Aintree's National Course.