Grand National
Encyclopedia
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 (7,242 m), with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course. The race has been held at Aintree each year since 1839
, with the exception of 1916-1918 during the First World War when it was held at Gatwick Racecourse, 1941-1945 during the Second World War when it was called off, and in 1993
when the race was declared void owing to a false start. It is currently scheduled to take place on a Saturday afternoon in early April. The next Grand National
will be held on 14 April 2012.
The steeplechase
is the centrepiece of a three-day meeting, one of only four run at Aintree in the racing season. It is the most valuable National Hunt event in Britain, offering a total prize fund of £950,000 in 2011. The race is popular amongst many people who do not normally watch or bet on horse racing at other times of the year.
The racecourse is triangular in shape and contains sixteen fences, all except The Chair and the Water Jump are jumped twice. The course has a reputation as the ultimate test of horse and jockey, most starters failing to complete the two circuits. Certain fences are famous for their severity, notably Becher's Brook
, The Chair, and the Canal Turn
.
The National is listed on the Ofcom Code on Sports and Other Listed and Designated Events
, ensuring it is broadcast live on free-to-air terrestrial television
in the United Kingdom. The first radio commentary of the race was broadcast by Meyrick Good and George Allison
on the BBC
in 1927; the first televised coverage was in 1960 with commentary led by Peter O'Sullevan
, and the BBC has retained the rights ever since. An estimated 500 to 600 million viewers watch the Grand National in over 140 countries.
The most recent Grand National
took place on 9 April 2011 and was won by jockey
Jason Maguire
on Ballabriggs
, for trainer
Donald McCain, Jr.
and owner Trevor Hemmings
.
The Grand National was founded by William Lynn, a syndicate head and proprietor of the Waterloo Hotel, on land he leased in Aintree
from William Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton
. Lynn set out a course, built a grandstand, and Lord Sefton laid the foundation stone on 7 February 1829. There is much debate regarding the first official Grand National; most leading published historians, including John Pinfold, now prefer the idea that the first running was in 1836
and was won by The Duke
. This same horse won again in 1837
, while Sir William was the winner in 1838
. These races have long been disregarded because of the belief that they took place at Maghull
and not Aintree. However, some historians have unearthed evidence in recent years that suggest those three races were run over the same course at Aintree and were regarded as having been Grand Nationals up until the mid-1860s. To date, though, calls for the Nationals of 1836–1838 to be restored to the record books have been unsuccessful.
In 1838 and 1839 three significant events occurred to transform the Liverpool race from a small local affair to a national event. Firstly, the Great St. Albans Chase, which had clashed with the steeplechase at Aintree, was not renewed after 1838, leaving a major hole in the chasing calendar. Secondly, the railway arrived in Liverpool, enabling transport to the course by rail
for the first time. Finally, a committee was formed to better organise the event. These factors led to a more highly-publicised race in 1839 which attracted a larger field of top quality horses and riders, greater press coverage and an increased attendance on race day. Over time the first three runnings of the event were quickly forgotten to secure the 1839 race
its place in history as the first official Grand National. It was won by rider Jem Mason
on 5/1 favourite Lottery.
By the 1840s, Lynn's ill-health blunted his enthusiasm for Aintree. Edward Topham, a respected handicapper and prominent member of Lynn's syndicate, began to exert greater influence over the National. He turned the chase into a handicap in 1843
after it had been a weight-for-age race for the first four years, and took over the land lease in 1848. One century later, the Topham family bought the course outright.
, while Aintree Racecourse was closed, an alternative race was run at Gatwick Racecourse, a disused course on land now occupied by Gatwick Airport. The first of these races, in 1916, was called the Racecourse Association Steeplechase, and for the following two years the race was known as the War National Steeplechase. The races at Gatwick are not always recognised as "Grand Nationals" and their results are often omitted from winners' lists.
on the first circuit, Easter Hero fell, causing a pile-up from which only seven horses emerged with seated jockeys. By the penultimate fence this number had reduced to three, with Great Span looking most likely to win ahead of Billy Barton and Tipperary Tim. Great Span's saddle then slipped, leaving Billy Barton in the lead until he too then fell. Although Billy Barton's jockey Tommy Cullinan managed to remount and complete the race, it was Tipperary Tim who came in first at outside odds of 100/1. With only two riders completing the course, this remains a record for the fewest number of finishers.
, who trained different winners of the race for three consecutive years between 1953 and 1955. Early Mist secured O'Brien's first victory in 1953; Royal Tan won in 1954
, and Quare Times completed the Irish trainer's hat-trick in 1955.
The running of the 1956 Grand National
witnessed one of its more bizarre incidents. Devon Loch
, owned by HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother
, had cleared the final fence in leading position five lengths clear of ESB
. Only forty yards from what seemed like certain victory, the horse suddenly appeared to half jump in the air before collapsing in a belly flop on the turf. Despite efforts by jockey Dick Francis
, Devon Loch was unable to complete the race, leaving ESB to cross the finishing line first. Responding to the commiserations of ESB’s owner, the Queen Mother merely commented: "Oh, that's racing". Had Devon Loch completed the race he may have set a new record for fastest finishing time, which ESB missed by only four fifths of a second. Many explanations have been offered for Devon Loch’s behaviour, but the incident remains inexplicable. In modern language, ‘to do a Devon Loch’, is used to describe a last minute failure to achieve an expected victory.
saw one of the race's most remarkable incidents when most of the field were hampered or dismounted in a mêlée, allowing the rank outsider Foinavon
to become a surprise winner at odds of 100/1. At the 23rd fence a loose horse named Popham Down, who had unseated his rider at the first jump, suddenly veered across the leading group causing them to either stop, refuse or unseat their riders. Racing journalist Lord Oaksey
described the resulting pile-up by saying that Popham Down had "cut down the leaders like a row of thistles". Some horses even started running in the wrong direction, back the way they had come. Foinavon, whose owner had such little faith in him that he had travelled to Worcester that day instead, had been lagging some one hundred yards behind the leading pack, giving his jockey, John Buckingham, time to steer his mount wide of the havoc and make a clean jump of the fence on the outside. Although 17 jockeys remounted and some made up considerable ground, particularly Josh Gifford
on 15/2 favourite Honey End, none had time to catch Foinavon before he crossed the finishing line. The 7th/23rd fence has since been officially named Foinavon's fence.
, was the smallest in living memory. It was after this that bookmaker Ladbrokes
made an offer, signing an agreement with Davies allowing them to manage the Grand National.
During this period Red Rum
was breaking records to become the most successful racehorse in Grand National history. Originally bought as a yearling in 1966 for 400 guineas
(£420), he passed through various training yards before being bought for 6,000 guineas (£6,300) by Donald ‘Ginger’ McCain
on behalf of Noel Le Mare. Two days after the purchase while trotting the horse on Southport beach, McCain noticed that Red Rum appeared lame. The horse was suffering from pedal osteitis, an inflammatory bone disorder. McCain had witnessed many lame carthorses reconditioned by being galloped in sea water. He successfully used this treatment on his newly acquired racehorse.
Red Rum became, and remains, the only horse to win the steeplechase three times, in 1973
, 1974, and 1977
. He also finished second in the two intervening years, 1975 and 1976. In 1973, he was in second place at the last fence, 15 lengths behind champion horse Crisp
, who was carrying 23 lb
s more. Red Rum made up the ground on the run-in and, two strides from the finishing post, he pipped the tiring Crisp to win by three-quarters of a length in what is arguably the most memorable Grand National of all time. Finishing in 9 minutes 1·9 seconds, Red Rum broke the record for fastest completion time of the National which had previously stood since 1934 by Golden Miller
. His record was to stand for the next sixteen years.
produced arguably the most emotive and absorbing result in the race's history. Two years prior, jockey Bob Champion
had been diagnosed with testicular cancer and given only months to live by doctors. But he was passed fit to ride in the 1981 Grand National and paired with Aldaniti
, a horse deprived in his youth and who had only recently recovered from chronic leg problems. Despite a poor start, the pair went on to win four-and-a-half lengths ahead of much-fancied Spartan Missile, ridden by amateur jockey and 54-year-old grandfather, John Thorne. Champion and Aldaniti were instantly propelled to celebrity status, and within two years their story had been re-created in the film Champions
, starring John Hurt.
began sponsoring the Grand National. The Canadian distiller provided a solid foundation on which the race's revival could be built, firstly enabling the course to be bought from Davies and to be run and managed by the Jockey Club
. It is said that Ivan Straker, Seagram's UK chairman, became interested in the potential opportunity after reading a passionate newspaper article written by journalist Lord Oaksey, who, in his riding days, had come within three-quarters of a length of winning the 1963 National. The last Seagram-sponsored Grand National was in 1991
. Coincidentally, the race was won by a horse named Seagram. Martell, then a Seagram subsidiary, took over sponsorship of the Aintree meeting for an initial seven years from 1992, in a £4 million deal.
was declared void after what commentator Peter O'Sullevan
called "the greatest disaster in the history of the Grand National." While under starter's orders a series of incidents occurred which resulted in one jockey being tangled in the starting tape which had failed to rise correctly. A false start was declared, but lack of communication between course officials meant that 30 out of the 39 jockeys did not realise and began to race. Course officials tried to stop the runners by waving red flags, but many jockeys thought that they were protesters (some had invaded the course earlier) and so continued to race. Peter Scudamore
only stopped because he saw his trainer, Martin Pipe
, waving frantically at him. Seven horses ran the course in its entirety, forcing a void result. The first past the post of the horses that completed was Esha Ness (in the second-fastest time ever), ridden by John White and trained by Jenny Pitman
.
was postponed after two coded bomb threats were received from the Provisional Irish Republican Army
. The course was secured by police who then evacuated jockeys, race personnel and local residents along with 60,000 spectators. Cars and coaches were locked in the course grounds, leaving some 20,000 people without their vehicles over the weekend. With limited accommodation available in the city, local residents opened their doors and took in many of those stranded. This prompted tabloid headlines such as "We'll fight them on the Becher's", in reference to Winston Churchill
's famous war-time speech
. The race was run 48 hours later on the Monday, with the meeting organisers offering 20,000 tickets with free admission.
returned to the Grand National in 2004
, 31 years after Red Rum's epic run-in defeat of Crisp to secure his first of three wins. McCain's Amberleigh House
came home first, ridden by Graham Lee
, overtaking Clan Royal on the final straight. Hedgehunter
, who would go on to win in 2005
, fell at the last while leading. McCain had equalled George Dockeray and Fred Rimell's record feat of training four Grand National winners.
A new era in the race's modern history began in 2005
when John Smith's
took over from Martell as main sponsors of the Grand National and many of the other races at the three-day Aintree meeting for the first time. In 2006 John Smith's launched the John Smith's People's Race
which gave ten members of the public the chance to ride in a flat race at Aintree on Grand National day. In total, thirty members of the public took part in the event before it was discontinued in 2010.
In 2009
, Mon Mome
became the longest-priced winner of the National for 42 years when he defied outside odds of 100/1 to win by 12 lengths. The victory was also the first for trainer Venetia Williams
, the first female trainer to triumph since Jenny Pitman
in 1995. The race was also the first National ride for Liam Treadwell
.
In 2010
the National became the first horse race to be televised in high-definition
in the UK.
The Grand National was designed as a cross-country steeplechase when it was first officially run in 1839. The runners started at a lane on the edge of the racecourse and raced away from the course out over open countryside towards the Leeds and Liverpool Canal
. The gates, hedges and ditches that they met along the way were flagged to provide them with the obstacles to be jumped along the way with posts and rails erected at the two points where the runners jumped a brook. The runners returned towards the racecourse by running along the edge of the canal before re-entering the course at the opposite end. The runners then ran the length of the racecourse before embarking on a second circuit before finishing in front of the stands. The majority of the race therefore took place not on the actual Aintree Racecourse but instead in the adjoining countryside. That countryside was incorporated into the modern course but commentators still often refer to it as "the country", much to the confusion of millions of once-a-year racing viewers.
. Some carry names from the history of the race. All sixteen are jumped on the first circuit, but on the second circuit the runners bear to the right onto the run-in for home, avoiding The Chair and the Water Jump. The following is a summary of all sixteen fences on the course:
Height: 4 ft 6in
Often met at great speed, which can lead to several falls, the highest being 12 runners in 1951. The drop on the landing side was reduced in 2011.
Height: 4 ft 7in
Prior to 1888 the first two fences were located approximately halfway between the first to second and second to third jumps. The second became known as The Fan, after a mare
who refused the obstacle three years in succession. The name fell out of favour with the relocation of the fences.
Height: 4 ft 10in; fronted by a 6 ft ditch
The first big test in the race as horses are still adapting to the obstacles.
Height: 4 ft 10in
A testing obstacle that often leads to falls and unseated riders. In 2011
the 20th became the first fence in Grand National history to be bypassed on the second circuit, following an equine fatality on the first.
Height: 5 ft
A plain obstacle which precedes the most famous fence on the course.
Height: 5 ft, with the landing side 6in to 10in lower than the takeoff side
The drop at this fence often catches runners by surprise. Becher's has always been a popular vantage point as it can present one of the most spectacular displays of jumping when the horse and rider meet the fence right. Jockeys must sit back in their saddles and use their body weight as ballast to counter the steep drop. It takes its name from Captain Martin Becher
who fell there in the first Grand National and took shelter in the small brook running along the landing side of the fence while the remainder of the field thundered over. It is said that Becher later reflected: "Water tastes disgusting without the benefits of whisky."
Height: 4 ft 6in
One of the smallest on the course, it was named in 1984 after the 1967
winner who avoided a mêlée at the fence to go on and win the race at outside odds of 100/1.
Height: 5 ft
Noted for its sharp 90-degree left turn immediately after landing. Before the First World War
it was not uncommon for loose horses to continue straight ahead after the jump and end up in the Leeds and Liverpool Canal
itself. There was once a ditch before the fence but this was filled in after a mêlée in the 1928 race.
Height: 5 ft with a 5 ft 6in brook
The fence was originally known as the Second Brook but was renamed after a horse named Valentine was reputed to have jumped the fence hind legs first in 1840
. A grandstand was erected alongside the fence in the early part of the 20th century but fell into decline after the Second World War
and was torn down in the 1970s.
Height: 5 ft
A plain obstacle that leads the runners alongside the canal towards two ditches.
Height: 5 ft, with a 6 ft ditch on the takeoff side
Height: 5 ft, with a 5 ft 6in ditch on the landing side
The runners then cross the Melling Road near to the Anchor Bridge, a popular vantage point since the earliest days of the race. This also marks the point where the runners are said to be re-entering the "racecourse proper". In the early days of the race it was thought there was an obstacle near this point known as the Table Jump, which may have resembled a bank similar to those still seen at Punchestown in Ireland
. In the 1840s the Melling Road was also flanked by hedges and the runners had to jump into the road and then back out of it.
Height: 4 ft 7in
A plain obstacle that comes at a point when the runners are usually in a good rhythm and thus rarely causes problems.
Height: 4 ft 6in
The final fence on the second circuit and which has often seen very tired horses fall. Despite some tired runners falling at the 30th and appearing injured, no equine fatality has been recorded at the 30th fence to date.
On the first circuit of the race, runners continue around the course to negotiate two fences which are only jumped once:
Height: 5 ft 2in, preceded by a 6 ft wide ditch
This fence is the site of the only human fatality in the National's history, Joe Wynne who sustained injuries in a fall in 1862. This brought about the ditch on the take-off side of the fence in an effort to slow the horses on approach. The fence was the location where a distance judge sat in the earliest days of the race. On the second circuit he would record the finishing order from his position and declare any horse that had not passed him before the previous runner passed the finishing post as "distanced", meaning a non-finisher. The practise was done away with in the 1850s but the monument where the chair stood is still there. The ground on the landing side is six inches higher than on the takeoff side, creating the opposite effect of the drop at Becher's. The fence was originally known as the Monument Jump but The Chair came into more regular use in the 1930s. Today it is one of the most popular jumps on the course for spectators.
Height: 2 ft 6in
Originally a stone wall in the very early Nationals. The Water Jump was one of the most popular jumps on the course, presenting a great jumping spectacle for those in the stands and was always a major feature in the newsreel
s' coverage of the race. As the newsreels made way for television in the 1960s so in turn did the Water Jump fall under the shadow of its neighbour, The Chair, in popularity as an obstacle.
On the second circuit, after the 30th fence the remaining runners bear right, avoiding The Chair and Water Jump, to head onto a "run-in" to the finishing post. The run-in is not perfectly straight: an "elbow" requires jockeys to make a slight left before finding themselves truly on the home straight. It is on this run-in — the longest in the United Kingdom at 474 yards — that many potential winners have been snatched of victory, such as Devon Loch
in 1956
and Crisp
in 1973
.
----
Leading jockey
:
----
Leading trainer
s:
----
Leading owners:
----
*Weights are in stones and pound
s.
were professionals for hire. Throughout the Victorian era
the line between the amateur and professional sportsman existed only in terms of the rider's status, and the engagement of an amateur to ride in the race was rarely considered a handicap to a contender's chances of winning. Many gentleman riders won the race prior to the First World War.
Although the number of amateurs remained high between the wars their ability to match their professional counterparts gradually receded. After the Second World War it became rare for any more than four or five amateurs to take part in any given year, despite many fine performances from amateur riders, including some victories before the turn of the century. By the 21st century, openings for amateur riders had become very rare with some years passing with no amateur riders at all taking part. Those that do in the modern era are most usually talented young riders who are often close to turning professional. In the past such amateur riders would have been joined by army officers, such as David Campbell
who won in 1896, and sporting aristocrats, farmers or local huntsmen and point to point riders, who usually opted to ride their own mounts. But all these genres of rider have faded out in the last quarter of a century with no riders of military rank or aristocratic title having taken a mount since 1982.
The Sex Discrimination Act 1975
made it possible for female jockeys to enter the race. To date fourteen have done so, although mainly on outsiders with little chance of winning. The first female jockey to enter the race was Charlotte Brew on the 200/1 outsider Barony Fort in the 1977
race. The 21st century has not seen a significant increase in female riders but it has seen them gain rides on mounts considered to have a genuine chance of winning. In 2011
, Nina Carberry became the first female jockey to take her third ride in the Grand National, and has completed the course each time, albeit her best place being seventh in 2010
.
Professionals now hold dominance in the Grand National and better training, dietary habits and protective clothing has ensured that riders' careers last much longer and offer more opportunities to ride in the race. Of the 28 riders who have enjoyed 13 or more rides in the race, 17 had their first ride in the 20th century and six of those had careers that continued into the 21st century. Longevity is no guarantee of success however as ten of the 28 never tasted the glory of winning the race. Tony McCoy
had been a 11th member of this group prior to winning the race at the 15th attempt in 2010 and in the process avoiding sharing the record for the most rides without ever being victorious; that honour still being held solely by Jeff King who, in 15 attempts from 1964–1980, never bettered third place. The other nine riders who never won or have not as yet won, having had more than 12 rides in the race are:
Many well-known jockeys have failed to win the Grand National. These include champion jockeys such as Terry Biddlecombe
, John Francome
, Josh Gifford
, Stan Mellor, Jonjo O'Neill
(who never finished the race), Fred Rimell and Peter Scudamore
. More recently, Richard Johnson
and Adrian Maguire
have failed to win the race. Three jockeys who led over the last fence in the National but lost the race on the run-in ended up as television commentators: Lord Oaksey
(on Carrickbeg in 1963), Norman Williamson
(on Mely Moss in 2000), and Richard Pitman
(on Crisp
in 1973
). Pitman's son Mark also led over the last fence, only to be pipped at the post when riding Garrison Savannah
in 1991
.
groups, which have campaigned to have it banned. The modern three-day Grand National meeting sees an average of three equine fatalities each year. The centrepiece steeplechase itself, held on the final afternoon of the three-day meeting, has yielded 22 fatalities since 1984
.
In recent years, Aintree officials have worked in conjunction with animal welfare organisations to reduce the severity of some fences and to improve veterinary facilities. In 2008 a new veterinary surgery was constructed in the stable yard which has two large treatment boxes, an X-ray unit, video endoscopy, equine solarium and sandpit facilities. Further changes in set-up and procedure allow vets to treat horses more rapidly and in better surroundings. Those requiring more specialist care can be transported by specialist horse ambulances, under police escort, to the nearby Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital at the University of Liverpool at Leahurst. A mobile on-course X-ray machine assists in the prompt diagnosis of leg injuries when horses are pulled up, and oxygen and water are available by the final fence and finishing post.
Five vets remain mobile on the course during the running of the race, and can initiate treatment of injured fallers at the fence. Additional vets are stationed at the pull-up area, finishing post, and in the surgery.
Some of the National's most challenging fences have also been modified, while still preserving them as formidable obstacles. Becher's Brook
has had its brook covered and the landing slope levelled off; the drop on the landing side of Becher's was also reduced by 4 to 5 inches after the 2011 race. Screening at the Canal Turn
now prevents horses being able to see the sharp left turn and encourages jockeys to spread out along the fence, rather than take the tight left-side route. Additionally, work has been carried out to smooth the core post infrastructure of the fences with protective padding to reduce impact upon contact, and the height of the toe-boards on all fences has been increased to 14 inches. These orange-coloured boards are positioned at the base of each fence and provide a clear ground line to assist horses in determining the base of the fence.
Parts of the course were widened in 2009 to allow runners to bypass fences if required. This was utilised for the first time during the 2011 race
as fatalities at fences four (a plain 4 ft 10in obstacle) and six (Becher's Brook) of the first circuit resulted in marshals diverting the remaining contenders around those fences on the second circuit. This was the first time in the National's history that only 28 fences were jumped.
and inscribed on commemorative plaques at Aintree. They were:
A panel of experts also selected three additional legends:
In 2011, nine additional legends were added:
John Smith's also added five "people's legends" who were introduced on Liverpool Day, the first day of the Grand National meeting. The five were:
s have won the race:
. In 2011
Nina Carberry became the first female jockey to take her third ride in the race, also completing for the third time.
-trained horses have won the Grand National, Huntsman (1862) and Cortolvin (1867). Four other winners were bred in France — Alcibiade (1865), Reugny (1874), Lutteur III (1909), and Mon Mome (2009
).
In 1923, Sergeant Murphy became the first U.S.
-bred horse to win the race. He is also the joint-second oldest horse to win, at age 13, alongside Why Not (1884). The U.S.-bred Battleship
, son of the famous Man o' War
, became the first (and so far only) horse to have won both the Grand National (in 1938) and the American Grand National (which he won four years earlier).
Jockey William Watkinson recorded the first riding success for Australia
in 1926. He was killed at Bogside, Scotland, less than three weeks after winning the National.
1991
was the seventh and final year that the Grand National was sponsored by Seagram
. Aptly, the race was won by a horse named Seagram, bred in New Zealand
. 1997
saw another New Zealand-bred winner in Lord Gyllene
.
-trained horse to win was Kirkland in 1905.
Rubstic, trained by John Leadbetter in Roxburghshire
, became the first Scottish
-trained winner, with victory in 1979.
horses have enjoyed by far the most success of international participants, with 16 winners since 1900, including six since 1999
:
. In 1950 Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother
had her first runner in the race in Monaveen, who finished fifth. Six years later she would witness her Devon Loch
collapse on the run-in, just yards from a certain victory.
The favourite for the 1968 race, Different Class, was owned by actor Gregory Peck
.
1994
winner Miinnehoma
was owned by comedian Freddie Starr
.
A 12/1 shot, What A Friend, running in 2011
, was part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson
. He was pulled up by jockey Daryl Jacob before the 27th fence.
National Hunt racing
National Hunt racing is the official name given to the sport of horse racing in the United Kingdom, France and Ireland in which the horses are required to jump over obstacles called hurdles or fences...
horse race
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
which is held annually 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...
. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards (7,242 m), with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course. The race has been held at Aintree each year since 1839
1839 Grand National
The 1839 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the first official annual running of a steeplechase which later became known as the Grand National.It was held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 26 February 1839 and attracted a field of seventeen runners.Although recorded by the press at...
, with the exception of 1916-1918 during the First World War when it was held at Gatwick Racecourse, 1941-1945 during the Second World War when it was called off, and in 1993
1993 Grand National
The 1993 Grand National was scheduled on 3 April 1993 to be the 147th official renewal of the Grand National horse race, held annually at Aintree near Liverpool, England....
when the race was declared void owing to a false start. It is currently scheduled to take place on a Saturday afternoon in early April. The next Grand National
2012 Grand National
The 2012 Grand National will be the 165th annual renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England....
will be held on 14 April 2012.
The 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...
is the centrepiece of a three-day meeting, one of only four run at Aintree in the racing season. It is the most valuable National Hunt event in Britain, offering a total prize fund of £950,000 in 2011. The race is popular amongst many people who do not normally watch or bet on horse racing at other times of the year.
The racecourse is triangular in shape and contains sixteen fences, all except The Chair and the Water Jump are jumped twice. The course has a reputation as the ultimate test of horse and jockey, most starters failing to complete the two circuits. Certain fences are famous for their severity, notably Becher's Brook
Becher's Brook
Becher's Brook is a fence jumped during the Grand National, a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. It is jumped twice during the race, as the sixth and 22nd fence, as well as on four other occasions during the year...
, The Chair, and the Canal Turn
Canal Turn
The Canal Turn is a fence on Aintree Racecourse's National Course and thus is jumped during the Grand National steeplechase which is held annually at the racecourse near Liverpool, England....
.
The National is listed on the Ofcom Code on Sports and Other Listed and Designated Events
Ofcom Code on Sports and Other Listed and Designated Events
The Ofcom Code on Sports and Other Listed & Designated Events is a series of regulations issued originally by the Independent Television Commission then by Ofcom when the latter assumed most of the ITC's responsibilities in 2003, which is designed to protect the availability of live coverage of...
, ensuring it is broadcast live on free-to-air terrestrial television
Terrestrial television
Terrestrial television is a mode of television broadcasting which does not involve satellite transmission or cables — typically using radio waves through transmitting and receiving antennas or television antenna aerials...
in the United Kingdom. The first radio commentary of the race was broadcast by Meyrick Good and George Allison
George Allison
George Frederick Allison was an English football journalist, broadcaster and manager. He was the BBC's first sports commentator and Arsenal's second longest serving manager.-Journalism career:...
on the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
in 1927; the first televised coverage was in 1960 with commentary led by Peter O'Sullevan
Peter O'Sullevan
Sir Peter O'Sullevan is a retired horse racing commentator for the BBC from 1947 to 1997, and correspondent for the Press Association, Daily Express and Today.-Early life:...
, and the BBC has retained the rights ever since. An estimated 500 to 600 million viewers watch the Grand National in over 140 countries.
The most recent Grand National
2011 Grand National
The 2011 Grand National was the 164th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England....
took place on 9 April 2011 and was won by jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
Jason Maguire
Jason Maguire
Jason Maguire , is a Irish horse racing jockey who won the 2011 Grand National on Ballabriggs.-Early life and career:Maguire is the nephew of another former jockey Adrian Maguire. He started out in Irish pony races and as he started his career rode his first winner, Search For Peace at Cheltenham...
on Ballabriggs
Ballabriggs
Ballabriggs is a Grand National-winning National Hunt racehorse trained by Donald McCain, Jr. in Cholmondeley, Cheshire.-Racing career:...
, for trainer
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
Donald McCain, Jr.
Donald McCain, Jr.
Donald McCain, Jr. is an English racehorse trainer and former jockey whose father, Ginger McCain, trained four Grand National winning horses.McCain, Jr., has trained four Cheltenham Festival winners as well as the 2011 Grand National winner, Ballabriggs....
and owner Trevor Hemmings
Trevor Hemmings
Trevor James Hemmings CVO is a British businessman, he was born in London, and grew up in Leyland, Lancashire He currently resides in the Isle of Man, but has homes in Jersey and Ireland....
.
Founding and early Nationals
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....
from William Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton
William Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton
William Philip Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton , also known as Lord Dashalong, was a sportsman, gambler and a friend of the Prince Regent.-Personal life:...
. Lynn set out a course, built a grandstand, and Lord Sefton laid the foundation stone on 7 February 1829. There is much debate regarding the first official Grand National; most leading published historians, including John Pinfold, now prefer the idea that the first running was in 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 was won by 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...
. This same horse won again in 1837
1837 Grand National
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...
, while Sir William was the winner in 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...
. These races have long been disregarded because of the belief that they took place 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. However, some historians have unearthed evidence in recent years that suggest those three races were run over the same course at Aintree and were regarded as having been Grand Nationals up until the mid-1860s. To date, though, calls for the Nationals of 1836–1838 to be restored to the record books have been unsuccessful.
In 1838 and 1839 three significant events occurred to transform the Liverpool race from a small local affair to a national event. Firstly, the Great St. Albans Chase, which had clashed with the steeplechase at Aintree, was not renewed after 1838, leaving a major hole in the chasing calendar. Secondly, the railway arrived in Liverpool, enabling transport to the course by rail
Aintree Racecourse railway station
Aintree Racecourse railway station was a station located on the North Mersey Branch. It originally opened as Aintree Cinder Lane around 1890 as the only station on the line at the time, only opening for race days at Aintree Racecourse.-History:...
for the first time. Finally, a committee was formed to better organise the event. These factors led to a more highly-publicised race in 1839 which attracted a larger field of top quality horses and riders, greater press coverage and an increased attendance on race day. Over time the first three runnings of the event were quickly forgotten to secure the 1839 race
1839 Grand National
The 1839 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the first official annual running of a steeplechase which later became known as the Grand National.It was held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 26 February 1839 and attracted a field of seventeen runners.Although recorded by the press at...
its place in history as the first official Grand National. It was won by rider Jem Mason
Jem Mason
James "Jem" Mason was a champion English jockey. On February 26, 1839 he won the Grand National in Liverpool on a brown-bay racehorse called Lottery....
on 5/1 favourite Lottery.
By the 1840s, Lynn's ill-health blunted his enthusiasm for Aintree. Edward Topham, a respected handicapper and prominent member of Lynn's syndicate, began to exert greater influence over the National. He turned the chase into a handicap in 1843
1843 Grand National
The 1843 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the fifth official annual running of a handicap Steeple-chase, later to become known as the Grand National Steeplechase handicap horse race which took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool on Wednesday March 1st 1843 and attracted a field of sixteen...
after it had been a weight-for-age race for the first four years, and took over the land lease in 1848. One century later, the Topham family bought the course outright.
First World War
For three years during the First World WarWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, while Aintree Racecourse was closed, an alternative race was run at Gatwick Racecourse, a disused course on land now occupied by Gatwick Airport. The first of these races, in 1916, was called the Racecourse Association Steeplechase, and for the following two years the race was known as the War National Steeplechase. The races at Gatwick are not always recognised as "Grand Nationals" and their results are often omitted from winners' lists.
Tipperary Tim
On the day of the 1928 National, before the race had begun, Tipperary Tim's jockey William Dutton heard a friend call out to him: "Billy boy, you'll only win if all the others fall down!" These words turned out to be true, as 41 of the 42 starters fell during the race. This year's National was run during misty weather conditions with the going very heavy. As the field approached the Canal TurnCanal Turn
The Canal Turn is a fence on Aintree Racecourse's National Course and thus is jumped during the Grand National steeplechase which is held annually at the racecourse near Liverpool, England....
on the first circuit, Easter Hero fell, causing a pile-up from which only seven horses emerged with seated jockeys. By the penultimate fence this number had reduced to three, with Great Span looking most likely to win ahead of Billy Barton and Tipperary Tim. Great Span's saddle then slipped, leaving Billy Barton in the lead until he too then fell. Although Billy Barton's jockey Tommy Cullinan managed to remount and complete the race, it was Tipperary Tim who came in first at outside odds of 100/1. With only two riders completing the course, this remains a record for the fewest number of finishers.
1950s
During the 1950s the Grand National was dominated by Vincent O'BrienVincent 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 trained different winners of the race for three consecutive years between 1953 and 1955. Early Mist secured O'Brien's first victory in 1953; Royal Tan won in 1954
1954 Grand National
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....
, and Quare Times completed the Irish trainer's hat-trick in 1955.
The running of the 1956 Grand National
1956 Grand National
The 1956 Grand National was the 110th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in 1956....
witnessed one of its more bizarre incidents. Devon Loch
Devon Loch
Devon Loch was a famous racehorse that is probably best remembered for its involvement in the 1956 Grand National steeplechase, when owned by Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother....
, owned by HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon was the queen consort of King George VI from 1936 until her husband's death in 1952, after which she was known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, to avoid confusion with her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II...
, had cleared the final fence in leading position five lengths clear of ESB
E.S.B. (horse)
E.S.B. was a racehorse that is best known for his victory in the 1956 Grand National, when aged ten.Trained by Fred Rimell, E.S.B. was ridden by jockey Dave Dick in the 1956 running of the famous steeplechase at Aintree Racecourse when the race seemed certain to be won by Devon Loch, who held a...
. Only forty yards from what seemed like certain victory, the horse suddenly appeared to half jump in the air before collapsing in a belly flop on the turf. Despite efforts by jockey Dick Francis
Dick Francis
Richard Stanley "Dick" Francis CBE was an English jockey and crime writer, many of whose novels centre around horse racing.- Personal life :...
, Devon Loch was unable to complete the race, leaving ESB to cross the finishing line first. Responding to the commiserations of ESB’s owner, the Queen Mother merely commented: "Oh, that's racing". Had Devon Loch completed the race he may have set a new record for fastest finishing time, which ESB missed by only four fifths of a second. Many explanations have been offered for Devon Loch’s behaviour, but the incident remains inexplicable. In modern language, ‘to do a Devon Loch’, is used to describe a last minute failure to achieve an expected victory.
Foinavon
The 1967 Grand National1967 Grand National
Much of the early stages of the race were inconsequential, with 28 of the 44 competitors having safely cleared the 22nd fence, Becher's Brook on the second circuit....
saw one of the race's most remarkable incidents when most of the field were hampered or dismounted in a mêlée, allowing the rank outsider Foinavon
Foinavon
Foinavon was a relatively undistinguished Irish racehorse, until he became famous for winning the Grand National in 1967 after the rest of the field fell, refused or were hampered or brought down in a mêlée at the 23rd fence. He was at one time owned by Anne, Duchess of Westminster, whose colours...
to become a surprise winner at odds of 100/1. At the 23rd fence a loose horse named Popham Down, who had unseated his rider at the first jump, suddenly veered across the leading group causing them to either stop, refuse or unseat their riders. Racing journalist Lord Oaksey
John Lawrence, 2nd Baron Oaksey
John Geoffrey Tristram Lawrence, 4th Baron Trevethin, 2nd Baron Oaksey is a British aristocrat, horse racing journalist and television commentator/presenter, and former amateur jockey. He is the son of the noted jurist Geoffrey Lawrence, 1st Baron Oaksey. He prefers to be called Oaksey although...
described the resulting pile-up by saying that Popham Down had "cut down the leaders like a row of thistles". Some horses even started running in the wrong direction, back the way they had come. Foinavon, whose owner had such little faith in him that he had travelled to Worcester that day instead, had been lagging some one hundred yards behind the leading pack, giving his jockey, John Buckingham, time to steer his mount wide of the havoc and make a clean jump of the fence on the outside. Although 17 jockeys remounted and some made up considerable ground, particularly Josh Gifford
Josh Gifford
Josh Gifford is a former jockey and trainer in National Hunt racing. He was a four-time Champion Jockey, riding 642 winners in his career....
on 15/2 favourite Honey End, none had time to catch Foinavon before he crossed the finishing line. The 7th/23rd fence has since been officially named Foinavon's fence.
1970s and Red Rum
The 1970s were mixed years for the Grand National. In 1973, eight years after Mrs. Mirabel Topham announced she was seeking a buyer, the racecourse was finally sold to property developer Bill Davies. Davies tripled the admission prices; consequently, the attendance at the 1975 race, won by L'EscargotL'Escargot (horse)
L'Escargot was a racehorse notable as being the horse who halted the winning run of Red Rum at the Aintree Grand National in 1975. L’Escargot was owned by Raymond R. Guest, and ridden by champion Irish jockey Tommy Carberry. He was trained by Dan Moore, and beat Red Rum by 15 lengths.He won as a...
, was the smallest in living memory. It was after this that bookmaker Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes plc is a British based gambling company. It is based in Rayners Lane in Harrow, London owned by Bhavin Kakaiya. From 14 May 1999 to 23 February 2006, when it owned the Hilton hotel brand outside the United States, it was known as Hilton Group plc...
made an offer, signing an agreement with Davies allowing them to manage the Grand National.
During this period Red Rum
Red Rum
Red Rum was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse who achieved an unmatched historic treble when he won the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and also came second in the two intervening years...
was breaking records to become the most successful racehorse in Grand National history. Originally bought as a yearling in 1966 for 400 guineas
Guinea (British coin)
The guinea is a coin that was minted in the Kingdom of England and later in the Kingdom of Great Britain and the United Kingdom between 1663 and 1813...
(£420), he passed through various training yards before being bought for 6,000 guineas (£6,300) by Donald ‘Ginger’ McCain
Ginger McCain
Donald "Ginger" McCain was an English National Hunt trainer, perhaps best known for training the legendary horse Red Rum. A successful trainer who won many races, he trained Red Rum on Crosby beach near Liverpool...
on behalf of Noel Le Mare. Two days after the purchase while trotting the horse on Southport beach, McCain noticed that Red Rum appeared lame. The horse was suffering from pedal osteitis, an inflammatory bone disorder. McCain had witnessed many lame carthorses reconditioned by being galloped in sea water. He successfully used this treatment on his newly acquired racehorse.
Red Rum became, and remains, the only horse to win the steeplechase three times, in 1973
1973 Grand National
The 1973 Grand National was the 127th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at the Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 31 March 1973....
, 1974, and 1977
1977 Grand National
The 1977 Grand National was the 131st renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 2 April 1977....
. He also finished second in the two intervening years, 1975 and 1976. In 1973, he was in second place at the last fence, 15 lengths behind champion horse Crisp
Crisp (horse)
Crisp was a champion steeplechase horse. He was a bay Thoroughbred gelding that was foaled in 1963 in Australia. In his native country, he won many important jumping races, particularly two-milers, including the Hiskens Steeplechase in 1969 and 1970. So well did he jump, he was nicknamed "The Black...
, who was carrying 23 lb
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
s more. Red Rum made up the ground on the run-in and, two strides from the finishing post, he pipped the tiring Crisp to win by three-quarters of a length in what is arguably the most memorable Grand National of all time. Finishing in 9 minutes 1·9 seconds, Red Rum broke the record for fastest completion time of the National which had previously stood since 1934 by Golden Miller
Golden Miller
Golden Miller was a Thoroughbred racehorse whois the most successful Cheltenham Gold Cup horse ever, having won the race in five consecutive years between 1932 and 1936...
. His record was to stand for the next sixteen years.
Champion's National
The 1981 running1981 Grand National
The 1981 Grand National was the 135th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1981....
produced arguably the most emotive and absorbing result in the race's history. Two years prior, jockey Bob Champion
Bob Champion
Robert "Bob" Champion MBE was born in Guisborough, in the north of England, on 4 June 1948. He is an English jump jockey who won the 1981 Grand National on Aldaniti. His triumph was made into a film Champions, with John Hurt portraying Champion...
had been diagnosed with testicular cancer and given only months to live by doctors. But he was passed fit to ride in the 1981 Grand National and paired with Aldaniti
Aldaniti
Aldaniti , , was a famous racehorse who won the Grand National on 4 April 1981. Jockey Bob Champion famously recovered from cancer while Aldaniti recovered after suffering a career threatening injury. The horse was trained by Josh Gifford...
, a horse deprived in his youth and who had only recently recovered from chronic leg problems. Despite a poor start, the pair went on to win four-and-a-half lengths ahead of much-fancied Spartan Missile, ridden by amateur jockey and 54-year-old grandfather, John Thorne. Champion and Aldaniti were instantly propelled to celebrity status, and within two years their story had been re-created in the film Champions
Champions (1983 film)
Champions is a 1983 film based on the true story of jockey Bob Champion. It is directed by John Irvin, written by Evan Jones, and stars John Hurt, Edward Woodward and Jan Francis....
, starring John Hurt.
Seagram's sponsorship
In 1984, SeagramSeagram
The Seagram Company Ltd. was a large corporation headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada that was the largest distiller of alcoholic beverages in the world. Toward the end of its independent existence it also controlled various entertainment and other business ventures...
began sponsoring the Grand National. The Canadian distiller provided a solid foundation on which the race's revival could be built, firstly enabling the course to be bought from Davies and to be run and managed by the Jockey Club
Jockey Club
The Jockey Club is the largest commercial organisation in British horseracing. Although no longer responsible for the governance and regulation of the sport, it owns 14 of Britain's famous racecourses, including Aintree, Cheltenham and Newmarket, amongst other concerns such as the National Stud and...
. It is said that Ivan Straker, Seagram's UK chairman, became interested in the potential opportunity after reading a passionate newspaper article written by journalist Lord Oaksey, who, in his riding days, had come within three-quarters of a length of winning the 1963 National. The last Seagram-sponsored Grand National was in 1991
1991 Grand National
The 1991 Grand National was the 145th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 6 April 1991....
. Coincidentally, the race was won by a horse named Seagram. Martell, then a Seagram subsidiary, took over sponsorship of the Aintree meeting for an initial seven years from 1992, in a £4 million deal.
The race that never was
The result of the 1993 Grand National1993 Grand National
The 1993 Grand National was scheduled on 3 April 1993 to be the 147th official renewal of the Grand National horse race, held annually at Aintree near Liverpool, England....
was declared void after what commentator Peter O'Sullevan
Peter O'Sullevan
Sir Peter O'Sullevan is a retired horse racing commentator for the BBC from 1947 to 1997, and correspondent for the Press Association, Daily Express and Today.-Early life:...
called "the greatest disaster in the history of the Grand National." While under starter's orders a series of incidents occurred which resulted in one jockey being tangled in the starting tape which had failed to rise correctly. A false start was declared, but lack of communication between course officials meant that 30 out of the 39 jockeys did not realise and began to race. Course officials tried to stop the runners by waving red flags, but many jockeys thought that they were protesters (some had invaded the course earlier) and so continued to race. Peter Scudamore
Peter Scudamore
Peter Scudamore , known universally as 'Scu', is a former jockey and trainer in National Hunt racing. He was an eight-time Champion Jockey , riding 1,678 winners in his career...
only stopped because he saw his trainer, Martin Pipe
Martin Pipe
Martin Pipe was a racehorse trainer until his retirement in April 2006.The son of a West-Country bookmaker, Pipe was an amateur jockey before turning his attention to training in 1974 at Nicholashayne, Devon, near Wellington, England....
, waving frantically at him. Seven horses ran the course in its entirety, forcing a void result. The first past the post of the horses that completed was Esha Ness (in the second-fastest time ever), ridden by John White and trained by Jenny Pitman
Jenny Pitman
Jenny Pitman is a former British racehorse trainer and author. She became the first woman to train a Grand National winner, when Corbiere won the race in 1983. She went on to win a second Grand National with Royal Athlete in 1995...
.
The Monday National
The 1997 Grand National1997 Grand National
The 1997 Grand National was the 150th official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase held at Aintree near Liverpool, England...
was postponed after two coded bomb threats were received from the Provisional Irish Republican Army
Provisional Irish Republican Army
The Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
. The course was secured by police who then evacuated jockeys, race personnel and local residents along with 60,000 spectators. Cars and coaches were locked in the course grounds, leaving some 20,000 people without their vehicles over the weekend. With limited accommodation available in the city, local residents opened their doors and took in many of those stranded. This prompted tabloid headlines such as "We'll fight them on the Becher's", in reference to Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
's famous war-time speech
We shall fight on the beaches
We Shall Fight on the Beaches is a common title given to a speech delivered by Winston Churchill to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom on 4th June 1940...
. The race was run 48 hours later on the Monday, with the meeting organisers offering 20,000 tickets with free admission.
Recent history
Red Rum's trainer Ginger McCainGinger McCain
Donald "Ginger" McCain was an English National Hunt trainer, perhaps best known for training the legendary horse Red Rum. A successful trainer who won many races, he trained Red Rum on Crosby beach near Liverpool...
returned to the Grand National in 2004
2004 Grand National
The 2004 Grand National was the 157th official annual running of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 3 April 2004 and attracted the maximum permitted field of 40 competitors for total prize money of £600,000 including £348,000 to the...
, 31 years after Red Rum's epic run-in defeat of Crisp to secure his first of three wins. McCain's Amberleigh House
Amberleigh House
Amberleigh House was the horse that won the 2004 Grand National. He is now retired and living at the National Stud in Newmarket.-Staff:Amberleigh House was trained by legend Ginger McCain, and was usually ridden by jockey Graham Lee, amongst others...
came home first, ridden by Graham Lee
Graham Lee (jockey)
Graham Lee is a successful Irish National Hunt jockey in Great Britain and Ireland. Prior to May 2006, he was the main stable jockey for Howard Johnson, but was replaced by Paddy Brennan, allegedly after a disagreement over his return from an injury. Lee became the main stable jockey and deputy...
, overtaking Clan Royal on the final straight. Hedgehunter
Hedgehunter
Hedgehunter is an Irish race horse, who won the 2005 Grand National steeplechase, ridden by Ruby Walsh and trained by Willie Mullins. He had fallen at the final fence the previous year when well placed. He then finished second in 2006 to Numbersixvalverde...
, who would go on to win in 2005
2005 Grand National
The 2005 Grand National was the 158th official annual running of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 9 April 2005 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for total prize money of £700,000 including £406,000 to...
, fell at the last while leading. McCain had equalled George Dockeray and Fred Rimell's record feat of training four Grand National winners.
A new era in the race's modern history began in 2005
2005 Grand National
The 2005 Grand National was the 158th official annual running of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 9 April 2005 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for total prize money of £700,000 including £406,000 to...
when John Smith's
John Smith's Brewery
John Smith's is a brewery founded in 1758 by Backhouse & Hartley at Tadcaster in North Yorkshire, England. John Smith bought the brewery in 1847. John Smith's is the sixth highest selling beer brand in the United Kingdom, and the highest selling ale brand. The brewery is currently owned by...
took over from Martell as main sponsors of the Grand National and many of the other races at the three-day Aintree meeting for the first time. In 2006 John Smith's launched the John Smith's People's Race
John Smith's People's Race
The John Smith's People's Race is an amateur flat race for members of the public, held at Aintree Racecourse during the April Grand National meeting. It was introduced in 2006....
which gave ten members of the public the chance to ride in a flat race at Aintree on Grand National day. In total, thirty members of the public took part in the event before it was discontinued in 2010.
In 2009
2009 Grand National
The 2009 Grand National was the 162nd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 4 April 2009...
, Mon Mome
Mon Mome
Mon Mome is an AQPS racehorse, which won the 2009 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse, run on April 4, 2009. It was ridden by Liam Treadwell and trained by Venetia Williams...
became the longest-priced winner of the National for 42 years when he defied outside odds of 100/1 to win by 12 lengths. The victory was also the first for trainer Venetia Williams
Venetia Williams
Venetia Williams is a British racehorse trainer specialising in National Hunt racing. She is based at stables at Aramstone in Herefordshire, England....
, the first female trainer to triumph since Jenny Pitman
Jenny Pitman
Jenny Pitman is a former British racehorse trainer and author. She became the first woman to train a Grand National winner, when Corbiere won the race in 1983. She went on to win a second Grand National with Royal Athlete in 1995...
in 1995. The race was also the first National ride for Liam Treadwell
Liam Treadwell
Liam Treadwell is an English National Hunt jockey. He was born in the West Sussex town of Arundel and attended the local Angmering School. He was the winner of the 2009 Aintree Grand National, having ridden Mon Mome to victory at odds of 100/1. It was only the fifth time a horse at those odds won...
.
In 2010
2010 Grand National
The 2010 Grand National was the 163rd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at the Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 10 April 2010....
the National became the first horse race to be televised in high-definition
High-definition television
High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
in the UK.
The course
The Grand National is run over the National Course at Aintree and consists of two circuits of sixteen fences, the first fourteen of which are jumped twice. Participating horses cover a distance of four miles and four furlongs, the longest of any National Hunt race in Britain. The course is also notable for having one of the longest run-ins from the final fence of any steeplechase, at 494 yards.Leeds 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...
. The gates, hedges and ditches that they met along the way were flagged to provide them with the obstacles to be jumped along the way with posts and rails erected at the two points where the runners jumped a brook. The runners returned towards the racecourse by running along the edge of the canal before re-entering the course at the opposite end. The runners then ran the length of the racecourse before embarking on a second circuit before finishing in front of the stands. The majority of the race therefore took place not on the actual Aintree Racecourse but instead in the adjoining countryside. That countryside was incorporated into the modern course but commentators still often refer to it as "the country", much to the confusion of millions of once-a-year racing viewers.
Fences
There are sixteen fences on the National Course topped with spruce from the Lake DistrictLake District
The Lake District, also commonly known as The Lakes or Lakeland, is a mountainous region in North West England. A popular holiday destination, it is famous not only for its lakes and its mountains but also for its associations with the early 19th century poetry and writings of William Wordsworth...
. Some carry names from the history of the race. All sixteen are jumped on the first circuit, but on the second circuit the runners bear to the right onto the run-in for home, avoiding The Chair and the Water Jump. The following is a summary of all sixteen fences on the course:
- Fence 1 & 17
Height: 4 ft 6in
Often met at great speed, which can lead to several falls, the highest being 12 runners in 1951. The drop on the landing side was reduced in 2011.
- Fence 2 & 18
Height: 4 ft 7in
Prior to 1888 the first two fences were located approximately halfway between the first to second and second to third jumps. The second became known as The Fan, after a mare
Mare
Female horses are called mares.Mare is the Latin word for "sea".The word may also refer to:-People:* Ahmed Marzooq, also known as Mare, a footballer and Secretary General of Maldives Olympic Committee* Mare Winningham, American actress and singer...
who refused the obstacle three years in succession. The name fell out of favour with the relocation of the fences.
- Fence 3 & 19: Open Ditch
Height: 4 ft 10in; fronted by a 6 ft ditch
The first big test in the race as horses are still adapting to the obstacles.
- Fence 4 & 20
Height: 4 ft 10in
A testing obstacle that often leads to falls and unseated riders. In 2011
2011 Grand National
The 2011 Grand National was the 164th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England....
the 20th became the first fence in Grand National history to be bypassed on the second circuit, following an equine fatality on the first.
- Fence 5 & 21
Height: 5 ft
A plain obstacle which precedes the most famous fence on the course.
- Fence 6 & 22: Becher's BrookBecher's BrookBecher's Brook is a fence jumped during the Grand National, a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. It is jumped twice during the race, as the sixth and 22nd fence, as well as on four other occasions during the year...
Height: 5 ft, with the landing side 6in to 10in lower than the takeoff side
The drop at this fence often catches runners by surprise. Becher's has always been a popular vantage point as it can present one of the most spectacular displays of jumping when the horse and rider meet the fence right. Jockeys must sit back in their saddles and use their body weight as ballast to counter the steep drop. It takes its name from Captain Martin Becher
Martin Becher
Martin William Becher was a former soldier and steeplechase jockey in whose memory the infamous Becher's Brook obstacle at Aintree Racecourse is named.-Military career:...
who fell there in the first Grand National and took shelter in the small brook running along the landing side of the fence while the remainder of the field thundered over. It is said that Becher later reflected: "Water tastes disgusting without the benefits of whisky."
- Fence 7 & 23: FoinavonFoinavonFoinavon was a relatively undistinguished Irish racehorse, until he became famous for winning the Grand National in 1967 after the rest of the field fell, refused or were hampered or brought down in a mêlée at the 23rd fence. He was at one time owned by Anne, Duchess of Westminster, whose colours...
Height: 4 ft 6in
One of the smallest on the course, it was named in 1984 after the 1967
1967 Grand National
Much of the early stages of the race were inconsequential, with 28 of the 44 competitors having safely cleared the 22nd fence, Becher's Brook on the second circuit....
winner who avoided a mêlée at the fence to go on and win the race at outside odds of 100/1.
- Fence 8 & 24: Canal TurnCanal TurnThe Canal Turn is a fence on Aintree Racecourse's National Course and thus is jumped during the Grand National steeplechase which is held annually at the racecourse near Liverpool, England....
Height: 5 ft
Noted for its sharp 90-degree left turn immediately after landing. Before the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
it was not uncommon for loose horses to continue straight ahead after the jump and end up in the Leeds and Liverpool Canal
Leeds 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...
itself. There was once a ditch before the fence but this was filled in after a mêlée in the 1928 race.
- Fence 9 & 25: Valentine's Brook
Height: 5 ft with a 5 ft 6in brook
The fence was originally known as the Second Brook but was renamed after a horse named Valentine was reputed to have jumped the fence hind legs first in 1840
1840 Grand National
The 1840 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the second official annual running of a steeplechase, later to become known as the Grand National Steeplechase handicap horse race which took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool on March 5, 1840 and attracted a then smallest ever field of thirteen...
. A grandstand was erected alongside the fence in the early part of the 20th century but fell into decline after the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and was torn down in the 1970s.
- Fence 10 & 26
Height: 5 ft
A plain obstacle that leads the runners alongside the canal towards two ditches.
- Fence 11 & 27: Open Ditch
Height: 5 ft, with a 6 ft ditch on the takeoff side
- Fence 12 & 28: Ditch
Height: 5 ft, with a 5 ft 6in ditch on the landing side
The runners then cross the Melling Road near to the Anchor Bridge, a popular vantage point since the earliest days of the race. This also marks the point where the runners are said to be re-entering the "racecourse proper". In the early days of the race it was thought there was an obstacle near this point known as the Table Jump, which may have resembled a bank similar to those still seen at Punchestown in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. In the 1840s the Melling Road was also flanked by hedges and the runners had to jump into the road and then back out of it.
- Fence 13 & 29
Height: 4 ft 7in
A plain obstacle that comes at a point when the runners are usually in a good rhythm and thus rarely causes problems.
- Fence 14 & 30
Height: 4 ft 6in
The final fence on the second circuit and which has often seen very tired horses fall. Despite some tired runners falling at the 30th and appearing injured, no equine fatality has been recorded at the 30th fence to date.
On the first circuit of the race, runners continue around the course to negotiate two fences which are only jumped once:
- Fence 15: The Chair
Height: 5 ft 2in, preceded by a 6 ft wide ditch
This fence is the site of the only human fatality in the National's history, Joe Wynne who sustained injuries in a fall in 1862. This brought about the ditch on the take-off side of the fence in an effort to slow the horses on approach. The fence was the location where a distance judge sat in the earliest days of the race. On the second circuit he would record the finishing order from his position and declare any horse that had not passed him before the previous runner passed the finishing post as "distanced", meaning a non-finisher. The practise was done away with in the 1850s but the monument where the chair stood is still there. The ground on the landing side is six inches higher than on the takeoff side, creating the opposite effect of the drop at Becher's. The fence was originally known as the Monument Jump but The Chair came into more regular use in the 1930s. Today it is one of the most popular jumps on the course for spectators.
- Fence 16: Water Jump
Height: 2 ft 6in
Originally a stone wall in the very early Nationals. The Water Jump was one of the most popular jumps on the course, presenting a great jumping spectacle for those in the stands and was always a major feature in the newsreel
Newsreel
A newsreel was a form of short documentary film prevalent in the first half of the 20th century, regularly released in a public presentation place and containing filmed news stories and items of topical interest. It was a source of news, current affairs and entertainment for millions of moviegoers...
s' coverage of the race. As the newsreels made way for television in the 1960s so in turn did the Water Jump fall under the shadow of its neighbour, The Chair, in popularity as an obstacle.
On the second circuit, after the 30th fence the remaining runners bear right, avoiding The Chair and Water Jump, to head onto a "run-in" to the finishing post. The run-in is not perfectly straight: an "elbow" requires jockeys to make a slight left before finding themselves truly on the home straight. It is on this run-in — the longest in the United Kingdom at 474 yards — that many potential winners have been snatched of victory, such as Devon Loch
Devon Loch
Devon Loch was a famous racehorse that is probably best remembered for its involvement in the 1956 Grand National steeplechase, when owned by Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother....
in 1956
1956 Grand National
The 1956 Grand National was the 110th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in 1956....
and Crisp
Crisp (horse)
Crisp was a champion steeplechase horse. He was a bay Thoroughbred gelding that was foaled in 1963 in Australia. In his native country, he won many important jumping races, particularly two-milers, including the Hiskens Steeplechase in 1969 and 1970. So well did he jump, he was nicknamed "The Black...
in 1973
1973 Grand National
The 1973 Grand National was the 127th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at the Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 31 March 1973....
.
Records
Leading horse:- Red RumRed RumRed Rum was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse who achieved an unmatched historic treble when he won the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and also came second in the two intervening years...
– 3 wins (19731973 Grand NationalThe 1973 Grand National was the 127th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at the Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 31 March 1973....
, 1974, 19771977 Grand NationalThe 1977 Grand National was the 131st renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 2 April 1977....
, also second in 1975 and 1976)
----
Leading jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
:
- George Stevens – 5 wins (Freetrader (1856), Emblem (1863), Emblematic (1864), The Colonel (1869, 1870))
----
Leading trainer
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
s:
- George Dockeray – 4 wins (Lottery (18391839 Grand NationalThe 1839 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the first official annual running of a steeplechase which later became known as the Grand National.It was held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 26 February 1839 and attracted a field of seventeen runners.Although recorded by the press at...
), Jerry (18401840 Grand NationalThe 1840 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the second official annual running of a steeplechase, later to become known as the Grand National Steeplechase handicap horse race which took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool on March 5, 1840 and attracted a then smallest ever field of thirteen...
), Gaylad (18421842 Grand NationalThe 1842 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the fourth official annual running of a Steeple-chase, later to become known as the Grand National Steeplechase handicap Horse race which took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool on March 2, 1842 and attracted fifteen runners.Although recorded by the...
), Miss Mowbray (1852)) - Fred Rimell – 4 wins (ESB (19561956 Grand NationalThe 1956 Grand National was the 110th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in 1956....
), Nicolaus Silver (1961), Gay Trip (1970), Rag Trade (1976)) - Ginger McCainGinger McCainDonald "Ginger" McCain was an English National Hunt trainer, perhaps best known for training the legendary horse Red Rum. A successful trainer who won many races, he trained Red Rum on Crosby beach near Liverpool...
– 4 wins (Red RumRed RumRed Rum was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse who achieved an unmatched historic treble when he won the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and also came second in the two intervening years...
(19731973 Grand NationalThe 1973 Grand National was the 127th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at the Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 31 March 1973....
, 1974, 19771977 Grand NationalThe 1977 Grand National was the 131st renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 2 April 1977....
), Amberleigh HouseAmberleigh HouseAmberleigh House was the horse that won the 2004 Grand National. He is now retired and living at the National Stud in Newmarket.-Staff:Amberleigh House was trained by legend Ginger McCain, and was usually ridden by jockey Graham Lee, amongst others...
(20042004 Grand NationalThe 2004 Grand National was the 157th official annual running of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 3 April 2004 and attracted the maximum permitted field of 40 competitors for total prize money of £600,000 including £348,000 to the...
))
----
Leading owners:
- James Machell – 3 wins (Disturbance (1873), Reugny (1874), Regal (1876))
- Noel Le Mare – 3 wins (Red RumRed RumRed Rum was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse who achieved an unmatched historic treble when he won the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and also came second in the two intervening years...
(19731973 Grand NationalThe 1973 Grand National was the 127th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at the Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 31 March 1973....
, 1974, 19771977 Grand NationalThe 1977 Grand National was the 131st renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 2 April 1977....
))
----
- Fastest winning time: Mr. Frisk (19901990 Grand NationalThe 1990 Grand National was the 144th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 7 April 1990....
), 8 minutes 47.8 seconds - Oldest winning horse: Peter Simple (1853); aged 15
- Youngest winning horse: Alcibiade (1865), Regal (1876), Austerlitz (1877), Empress (1880), Lutteur III (1909); all aged five
- Oldest winning jockey: Dick Saunders (19821982 Grand NationalThe 1982 Grand National was the 136th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1982....
); aged 48 - Youngest winning jockey: Bruce HobbsBruce HobbsBruce Robertson Hobbs was an American jockey and horse trainer.Born on Long Island, New York, Hobbs became the youngest jockey ever to ride the winner of the English Grand National when successful on Battleship, a son of Man o' War, in 1938 just three months after his 17th birthday...
(1938), aged 17 - Longest odds winner: Tipperary Tim (1928), Gregalach (1929), Caughoo (1947), FoinavonFoinavonFoinavon was a relatively undistinguished Irish racehorse, until he became famous for winning the Grand National in 1967 after the rest of the field fell, refused or were hampered or brought down in a mêlée at the 23rd fence. He was at one time owned by Anne, Duchess of Westminster, whose colours...
(19671967 Grand NationalMuch of the early stages of the race were inconsequential, with 28 of the 44 competitors having safely cleared the 22nd fence, Becher's Brook on the second circuit....
), Mon MomeMon MomeMon Mome is an AQPS racehorse, which won the 2009 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse, run on April 4, 2009. It was ridden by Liam Treadwell and trained by Venetia Williams...
(20092009 Grand NationalThe 2009 Grand National was the 162nd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 4 April 2009...
); all 100/1 - Shortest odds winner: Poethlyn (1919), 11/4
- Largest field: 66 runners (1929)
- Smallest field: 10 runners (1883)
- Most horses to finish: 23 (19841984 Grand NationalThe 1984 Grand National was the 138th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1984....
) - Fewest horses to finish: 2 (1928)
- Most rides in the race: 19 (Tom OlliverTom OlliverThomas '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....
, 18391839 Grand NationalThe 1839 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the first official annual running of a steeplechase which later became known as the Grand National.It was held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 26 February 1839 and attracted a field of seventeen runners.Although recorded by the press at...
–1859) - Most rides without winning: 15 (Jeff King, 1964–1980)
Winners
The following table lists the winners of the last ten Grand Nationals:| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Weight |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Starting price |
| 2011 2011 Grand National The 2011 Grand National was the 164th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England.... |
Ballabriggs Ballabriggs Ballabriggs is a Grand National-winning National Hunt racehorse trained by Donald McCain, Jr. in Cholmondeley, Cheshire.-Racing career:... |
10 | 11-00 | Jason Maguire Jason Maguire Jason Maguire , is a Irish horse racing jockey who won the 2011 Grand National on Ballabriggs.-Early life and career:Maguire is the nephew of another former jockey Adrian Maguire. He started out in Irish pony races and as he started his career rode his first winner, Search For Peace at Cheltenham... |
Donald McCain, Jr. Donald McCain, Jr. Donald McCain, Jr. is an English racehorse trainer and former jockey whose father, Ginger McCain, trained four Grand National winning horses.McCain, Jr., has trained four Cheltenham Festival winners as well as the 2011 Grand National winner, Ballabriggs.... |
Trevor Hemmings Trevor Hemmings Trevor James Hemmings CVO is a British businessman, he was born in London, and grew up in Leyland, Lancashire He currently resides in the Isle of Man, but has homes in Jersey and Ireland.... |
|
| 2010 2010 Grand National The 2010 Grand National was the 163rd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at the Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 10 April 2010.... |
Don't Push It Don't Push It Don't Push It is a Grand National-winning thoroughbred racehorse.- Debut :Don't Push It began his career on the 5th December 2004 at Warwick Racecourse in a National Hunt Flat race . He finished 3rd.- 2005-2006 Season :... |
10 | 11-05 | Tony McCoy Tony McCoy Anthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey.... |
Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill is an Irish National Hunt racehorse trainer and former jockey. He is a native of Castletownroche, County Cork in Ireland. Based at the Jackdaws Castle training establishment in England, O'Neill is the private trainer to J. P. McManus, one of the largest owners of steeplechasers and... |
J. P. McManus J. P. McManus John Patrick "J. P." McManus is an Irish businessman and racehorse owner.- Early life :Born in Limerick, McManus began his business career at his family's construction plant hire firm, and then became an on-course bookmaker at Limerick's greyhound track, the Market's Field, before moving into... |
JF |
| 2009 2009 Grand National The 2009 Grand National was the 162nd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 4 April 2009... |
Mon Mome Mon Mome Mon Mome is an AQPS racehorse, which won the 2009 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse, run on April 4, 2009. It was ridden by Liam Treadwell and trained by Venetia Williams... |
9 | 11-00 | Liam Treadwell Liam Treadwell Liam Treadwell is an English National Hunt jockey. He was born in the West Sussex town of Arundel and attended the local Angmering School. He was the winner of the 2009 Aintree Grand National, having ridden Mon Mome to victory at odds of 100/1. It was only the fifth time a horse at those odds won... |
Venetia Williams Venetia Williams Venetia Williams is a British racehorse trainer specialising in National Hunt racing. She is based at stables at Aramstone in Herefordshire, England.... |
Vida Bingham | |
| 2008 2008 Grand National The 2008 Grand National was the 161st official annual running of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 5 April 2008 and attracted the maximum allowed field of 40 competitors, for total prize money of £450,640.Joint-favourite... |
Comply or Die Comply or Die Comply or Die is a British trained thoroughbred racehorse, owned by David Johnson. Ridden by Timmy Murphy and trained by David Pipe he was the winner of the £450,640 2008 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse, run on Saturday 5 April 2008... |
9 | 10-09 | Timmy Murphy Timmy Murphy Timothy James Murphy , commonly known as Timmy Murphy, is a National Hunt jockey who overcame difficult personal problems to win the 2008 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on the horse Comply or Die. He recorded his 1,000th winner at Taunton on 21 January 2010.- References :... |
David Pipe David Pipe (racehorse trainer) The son of the prolific horseracing trainer Martin Pipe David Pipe is the trainer of the David Johnson owned Comply or Die, who ridden by Timmy Murphy won the 2008 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree racecourse.... |
David Johnson David Johnson (racehorse owner) David Johnson, a former £9 a week bank clerk who rose to become a multi-millionaire in the finance industry, is a hugely successful British thoroughbred racehorse owner whose Comply or Die ridden by Timmy Murphy and trained by David Pipe was the winner of the 2008 John Smith's Grand National at... |
JF |
| 2007 2007 Grand National The 2007 Grand National was the 160th official annual running of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 14 April 2007 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for a total prize money of £700,000... |
Silver Birch Silver Birch (horse) Silver Birch is an Irish-trained thoroughbred racehorse, owned by Brian Walsh of County Kildare. Ridden by Robbie Power and trained by 29 year-old Gordon Elliott, Silver Birch was the winner of the 2007 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse, run on Saturday 14 April 2007... |
10 | 10-06 | Robbie Power Robbie Power Robbie "Puppy" Power, son of Irish show-jumper Con Power, is the National Hunt jockey who rode 33-1 outsider Silver Birch to victory in the 2007 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday 14 April 2007 .-Footnotes:... |
Gordon Elliott Gordon Elliott (racehorse trainer) Gordon Elliott is a County Meath-based National Hunt racehorse trainer who was 29 when his first Grand National entry, the 33 to 1 outsider Silver Birch won the 2007 race on 14 April, 2007... |
Brian Walsh | |
| 2006 2006 Grand National The 2006 Grand National was the 159th official annual running of the Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 8 April 2006 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for total prize money of £689,360 including £399,140 to the... |
Numbersixvalverde Numbersixvalverde Numbersixvalverde is an Irish race horse who won both the 2005 Irish Grand National and 2006 Aintree Grand National steeplechase, beating Hedgehunter by six lengths with Niall 'Slippers' Madden in the saddle.... |
10 | 10-08 | Niall Madden Niall Madden Niall "Slippers" Madden is an Irish jockey who rode the racehorse Numbersixvalverde to win the 2006 Grand National steeplechase at Aintree Racecourse.... |
Martin Brassil | Bernard Carroll | |
| 2005 2005 Grand National The 2005 Grand National was the 158th official annual running of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 9 April 2005 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for total prize money of £700,000 including £406,000 to... |
Hedgehunter Hedgehunter Hedgehunter is an Irish race horse, who won the 2005 Grand National steeplechase, ridden by Ruby Walsh and trained by Willie Mullins. He had fallen at the final fence the previous year when well placed. He then finished second in 2006 to Numbersixvalverde... |
9 | 11-01 | Ruby Walsh Ruby Walsh Ruby Walsh is the reigning Irish National Hunt champion jockey. He is the second child, and eldest son, of former champion amateur jockey Ted Walsh and his wife Helen.-Success:... |
Willie Mullins Willie Mullins Willie Mullins is an Irish racehorse trainer and former jockey. He is based at Closutton, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, Ireland... |
Trevor Hemmings Trevor Hemmings Trevor James Hemmings CVO is a British businessman, he was born in London, and grew up in Leyland, Lancashire He currently resides in the Isle of Man, but has homes in Jersey and Ireland.... |
F |
| 2004 2004 Grand National The 2004 Grand National was the 157th official annual running of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 3 April 2004 and attracted the maximum permitted field of 40 competitors for total prize money of £600,000 including £348,000 to the... |
Amberleigh House Amberleigh House Amberleigh House was the horse that won the 2004 Grand National. He is now retired and living at the National Stud in Newmarket.-Staff:Amberleigh House was trained by legend Ginger McCain, and was usually ridden by jockey Graham Lee, amongst others... |
12 | 10-10 | Graham Lee Graham Lee (jockey) Graham Lee is a successful Irish National Hunt jockey in Great Britain and Ireland. Prior to May 2006, he was the main stable jockey for Howard Johnson, but was replaced by Paddy Brennan, allegedly after a disagreement over his return from an injury. Lee became the main stable jockey and deputy... |
Ginger McCain Ginger McCain Donald "Ginger" McCain was an English National Hunt trainer, perhaps best known for training the legendary horse Red Rum. A successful trainer who won many races, he trained Red Rum on Crosby beach near Liverpool... |
Halewood Int. Ltd | |
| 2003 2003 Grand National The 2003 Grand National was the 156th renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree at 3:45pm BST, on 5 April 2003.... |
Monty's Pass Monty's Pass Monty's Pass was the winner of the 2003 Grand National at Aintree, Liverpool when ridden by Barry Geraghty, trained by Jimmy Mangan and running in the colours of the Dee Racing Syndicate, a group of owners based in Donaghadee, Northern Ireland and led by Blackpool born bingo hall owner, Mike... |
10 | 10-07 | Barry Geraghty Barry Geraghty Barry Geraghty is an Irish jockey.Geraghty rode his first winner in January 1997, three years later he became the Irish Champion jump jockey for the first time. He rode his first Cheltenham winner on the Jessica Harrington trained Moscow Flyer in the 2002 Arkle Chase.He won the Grand National in... |
Jimmy Mangan | Dee Racing Syndicate | |
| 2002 2002 Grand National The 2002 Grand National was the 155th official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, at 3:45pm BST on 6 April 2002.... |
Bindaree Bindaree Bindaree is a racehorse who was the winner of the 2002 Grand National when ridden by Jim Culloty and the 2003 Welsh Grand National when partnered by Carl Llewellyn.... |
8 | 10-04 | Jim Culloty Jim Culloty Jim Culloty is a racehorse trainer and retired professional National Hunt jockey who won both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National in the same season.... |
Nigel Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-Davies is a British racehorse trainer specialising in National Hunt racing. He is based at stables at Naunton, Gloucestershire.... |
Raymond Mould | |
*Weights are in stones and pound
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
s.
Jockeys
When the concept of the Grand National was first envisaged it was designed as a race for gentlemen riders, meaning men who were not paid to compete, and while this was written into the conditions of the early races many of the riders who weighed out for the 1839 race1839 Grand National
The 1839 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the first official annual running of a steeplechase which later became known as the Grand National.It was held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 26 February 1839 and attracted a field of seventeen runners.Although recorded by the press at...
were professionals for hire. Throughout the Victorian era
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
the line between the amateur and professional sportsman existed only in terms of the rider's status, and the engagement of an amateur to ride in the race was rarely considered a handicap to a contender's chances of winning. Many gentleman riders won the race prior to the First World War.
Although the number of amateurs remained high between the wars their ability to match their professional counterparts gradually receded. After the Second World War it became rare for any more than four or five amateurs to take part in any given year, despite many fine performances from amateur riders, including some victories before the turn of the century. By the 21st century, openings for amateur riders had become very rare with some years passing with no amateur riders at all taking part. Those that do in the modern era are most usually talented young riders who are often close to turning professional. In the past such amateur riders would have been joined by army officers, such as David Campbell
David Campbell (British Army officer)
General Sir David Graham Muschet "Soarer" Campbell GCB was a cavalry officer of the British Army, amateur sportsman, and later Governor of Malta....
who won in 1896, and sporting aristocrats, farmers or local huntsmen and point to point riders, who usually opted to ride their own mounts. But all these genres of rider have faded out in the last quarter of a century with no riders of military rank or aristocratic title having taken a mount since 1982.
The Sex Discrimination Act 1975
Sex Discrimination Act 1975
The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which protected men and women from discrimination on the grounds of sex or marriage. The Act concerned employment, training, education, harassment, the provision of goods and services, and the disposal of premises...
made it possible for female jockeys to enter the race. To date fourteen have done so, although mainly on outsiders with little chance of winning. The first female jockey to enter the race was Charlotte Brew on the 200/1 outsider Barony Fort in the 1977
1977 Grand National
The 1977 Grand National was the 131st renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 2 April 1977....
race. The 21st century has not seen a significant increase in female riders but it has seen them gain rides on mounts considered to have a genuine chance of winning. In 2011
2011 Grand National
The 2011 Grand National was the 164th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England....
, Nina Carberry became the first female jockey to take her third ride in the Grand National, and has completed the course each time, albeit her best place being seventh in 2010
2010 Grand National
The 2010 Grand National was the 163rd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at the Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 10 April 2010....
.
Professionals now hold dominance in the Grand National and better training, dietary habits and protective clothing has ensured that riders' careers last much longer and offer more opportunities to ride in the race. Of the 28 riders who have enjoyed 13 or more rides in the race, 17 had their first ride in the 20th century and six of those had careers that continued into the 21st century. Longevity is no guarantee of success however as ten of the 28 never tasted the glory of winning the race. Tony McCoy
Tony McCoy
Anthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey....
had been a 11th member of this group prior to winning the race at the 15th attempt in 2010 and in the process avoiding sharing the record for the most rides without ever being victorious; that honour still being held solely by Jeff King who, in 15 attempts from 1964–1980, never bettered third place. The other nine riders who never won or have not as yet won, having had more than 12 rides in the race are:
- Bill Parvin (1926–1939): finished second once in 14 attempts;
- Richard JohnsonRichard Johnson (jockey)Richard Johnson is an English National Hunt jockey.-Background:Johnson comes from a racing family with his father being an amateur jockey and his mother, Sue Johnson, a successful trainer.-Jockey career:...
(1997–2010): finished second once in 14 attempts; - Graham Bradley (1983–1999): finished second once in 14 attempts;
- Chris Grant (1980–1994): finished second three times in 13 attempts;
- Stan Mellor (1956–1971): finished second once in 13 attempts;
- David NicholsonDavid Nicholson (horse racing)David Nicholson was a British National Hunt jockey and trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Trainer in the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons....
(1957–1973): never in first three in 13 attempts; - George Waddington (1861–1882): finished second once in 13 attempts;
- Walter White (1854–1869): finished second once in 13 attempts;
- Robert ThorntonRobert Thornton (jockey)Robert "Choc" Thornton is an English National Hunt jockey currently employed as stable jockey to Alan King....
(1997–2009): never in first three in 13 attempts.
Many well-known jockeys have failed to win the Grand National. These include champion jockeys such as Terry Biddlecombe
Terry Biddlecombe
Terry Biddlecombe was an English National Hunt racing jockey in the 1960s and 1970s. He was Champion Jockey in 1965, 1966 and 1969.-Career:...
, John Francome
John Francome
John Francome MBE is a former National Hunt Champion Jockey.Born in Swindon the son of a railway fireman, his family had no connection with the horse racing world. At sixteen years old he became apprentice to Lambourn trainer Fred Winter and so began his career as a jockey. He rode a total of...
, Josh Gifford
Josh Gifford
Josh Gifford is a former jockey and trainer in National Hunt racing. He was a four-time Champion Jockey, riding 642 winners in his career....
, Stan Mellor, Jonjo O'Neill
Jonjo O'Neill
Jonjo O'Neill is an Irish National Hunt racehorse trainer and former jockey. He is a native of Castletownroche, County Cork in Ireland. Based at the Jackdaws Castle training establishment in England, O'Neill is the private trainer to J. P. McManus, one of the largest owners of steeplechasers and...
(who never finished the race), Fred Rimell and Peter Scudamore
Peter Scudamore
Peter Scudamore , known universally as 'Scu', is a former jockey and trainer in National Hunt racing. He was an eight-time Champion Jockey , riding 1,678 winners in his career...
. More recently, Richard Johnson
Richard Johnson (jockey)
Richard Johnson is an English National Hunt jockey.-Background:Johnson comes from a racing family with his father being an amateur jockey and his mother, Sue Johnson, a successful trainer.-Jockey career:...
and Adrian Maguire
Adrian Maguire
Adrian Maguire, born 29 April 1971 in Kilmessan, County Meath, Ireland, is a racehorse trainer and former jockey.Maguire began his career in Irish pony racing at the age of nine, in which he rode more than 200 winners. In 1990 he rode his first winner under rules, at Sligo, before his first victory...
have failed to win the race. Three jockeys who led over the last fence in the National but lost the race on the run-in ended up as television commentators: Lord Oaksey
John Lawrence, 2nd Baron Oaksey
John Geoffrey Tristram Lawrence, 4th Baron Trevethin, 2nd Baron Oaksey is a British aristocrat, horse racing journalist and television commentator/presenter, and former amateur jockey. He is the son of the noted jurist Geoffrey Lawrence, 1st Baron Oaksey. He prefers to be called Oaksey although...
(on Carrickbeg in 1963), Norman Williamson
Norman Williamson
Norman Williamson is a professional jockey in the Irish National Hunt.- References :...
(on Mely Moss in 2000), and Richard Pitman
Richard Pitman
Richard Pitman, is a retired jump jockey who rode 470 winners in his career including Lanzarote in the 1974 Champion Hurdle). He also won the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse twice, the Whitbread Gold Cup once and the Hennessy Gold Cup once....
(on Crisp
Crisp (horse)
Crisp was a champion steeplechase horse. He was a bay Thoroughbred gelding that was foaled in 1963 in Australia. In his native country, he won many important jumping races, particularly two-milers, including the Hiskens Steeplechase in 1969 and 1970. So well did he jump, he was nicknamed "The Black...
in 1973
1973 Grand National
The 1973 Grand National was the 127th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at the Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 31 March 1973....
). Pitman's son Mark also led over the last fence, only to be pipped at the post when riding Garrison Savannah
Garrison Savannah (horse)
Garrison Savannah was a famous racehorse, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1991 by a short-head from The Fellow with Desert Orchid back in third place. In the same year, he came second in the Aintree Grand National. He won the previous year's Royal & SunAlliance Chase. He had only one race...
in 1991
1991 Grand National
The 1991 Grand National was the 145th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 6 April 1991....
.
Horse welfare
Due to the high number of injuries and fatalities suffered by participating horses, the Grand National is often a target for animal rightsAnimal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
groups, which have campaigned to have it banned. The modern three-day Grand National meeting sees an average of three equine fatalities each year. The centrepiece steeplechase itself, held on the final afternoon of the three-day meeting, has yielded 22 fatalities since 1984
1984 Grand National
The 1984 Grand National was the 138th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1984....
.
In recent years, Aintree officials have worked in conjunction with animal welfare organisations to reduce the severity of some fences and to improve veterinary facilities. In 2008 a new veterinary surgery was constructed in the stable yard which has two large treatment boxes, an X-ray unit, video endoscopy, equine solarium and sandpit facilities. Further changes in set-up and procedure allow vets to treat horses more rapidly and in better surroundings. Those requiring more specialist care can be transported by specialist horse ambulances, under police escort, to the nearby Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital at the University of Liverpool at Leahurst. A mobile on-course X-ray machine assists in the prompt diagnosis of leg injuries when horses are pulled up, and oxygen and water are available by the final fence and finishing post.
Five vets remain mobile on the course during the running of the race, and can initiate treatment of injured fallers at the fence. Additional vets are stationed at the pull-up area, finishing post, and in the surgery.
Some of the National's most challenging fences have also been modified, while still preserving them as formidable obstacles. Becher's Brook
Becher's Brook
Becher's Brook is a fence jumped during the Grand National, a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. It is jumped twice during the race, as the sixth and 22nd fence, as well as on four other occasions during the year...
has had its brook covered and the landing slope levelled off; the drop on the landing side of Becher's was also reduced by 4 to 5 inches after the 2011 race. Screening at the Canal Turn
Canal Turn
The Canal Turn is a fence on Aintree Racecourse's National Course and thus is jumped during the Grand National steeplechase which is held annually at the racecourse near Liverpool, England....
now prevents horses being able to see the sharp left turn and encourages jockeys to spread out along the fence, rather than take the tight left-side route. Additionally, work has been carried out to smooth the core post infrastructure of the fences with protective padding to reduce impact upon contact, and the height of the toe-boards on all fences has been increased to 14 inches. These orange-coloured boards are positioned at the base of each fence and provide a clear ground line to assist horses in determining the base of the fence.
Parts of the course were widened in 2009 to allow runners to bypass fences if required. This was utilised for the first time during the 2011 race
2011 Grand National
The 2011 Grand National was the 164th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England....
as fatalities at fences four (a plain 4 ft 10in obstacle) and six (Becher's Brook) of the first circuit resulted in marshals diverting the remaining contenders around those fences on the second circuit. This was the first time in the National's history that only 28 fences were jumped.
Grand National Legends
In 2009 the race sponsors John Smith's launched a poll to determine five personalities to be inducted into the inaugural Grand National Legends initiative. The winners were announced on the day of the 2010 Grand National2010 Grand National
The 2010 Grand National was the 163rd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at the Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 10 April 2010....
and inscribed on commemorative plaques at Aintree. They were:
- Ginger McCainGinger McCainDonald "Ginger" McCain was an English National Hunt trainer, perhaps best known for training the legendary horse Red Rum. A successful trainer who won many races, he trained Red Rum on Crosby beach near Liverpool...
and his record three-time winning horse Red RumRed RumRed Rum was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse who achieved an unmatched historic treble when he won the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and also came second in the two intervening years...
; - John Buckingham and FoinavonFoinavonFoinavon was a relatively undistinguished Irish racehorse, until he became famous for winning the Grand National in 1967 after the rest of the field fell, refused or were hampered or brought down in a mêlée at the 23rd fence. He was at one time owned by Anne, Duchess of Westminster, whose colours...
, the unlikely winners in 19671967 Grand NationalMuch of the early stages of the race were inconsequential, with 28 of the 44 competitors having safely cleared the 22nd fence, Becher's Brook on the second circuit....
; - Manifesto, who holds the record for most runs in the race, eight including two victories;
- Jenny PitmanJenny PitmanJenny Pitman is a former British racehorse trainer and author. She became the first woman to train a Grand National winner, when Corbiere won the race in 1983. She went on to win a second Grand National with Royal Athlete in 1995...
, the first woman to train the winner of the race in 19831983 Grand NationalThe 1983 Grand National was the 137th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1983....
; and - Sir Peter O'SullevanPeter O'SullevanSir Peter O'Sullevan is a retired horse racing commentator for the BBC from 1947 to 1997, and correspondent for the Press Association, Daily Express and Today.-Early life:...
, the commentator who called home the winners of fifty Grand Nationals on radio and television from 1947 to 19971997 Grand NationalThe 1997 Grand National was the 150th official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase held at Aintree near Liverpool, England...
.
A panel of experts also selected three additional legends:
- George Stevens, the record five-time winning rider between 1856–1870;
- Captain Martin BecherMartin BecherMartin William Becher was a former soldier and steeplechase jockey in whose memory the infamous Becher's Brook obstacle at Aintree Racecourse is named.-Military career:...
, who played a major part in bringing the National to Liverpool, rode the winner of the first precursor to the National in 1836 and was the first rider to fall into the brook at the sixth fence, which forever took his name after 1839; and - Edward Topham, who was assigned the task of framing the weights for the handicap from 1847 and whose descendants played a major role in the race for the next 125 years.
In 2011, nine additional legends were added:
- Bob ChampionBob ChampionRobert "Bob" Champion MBE was born in Guisborough, in the north of England, on 4 June 1948. He is an English jump jockey who won the 1981 Grand National on Aldaniti. His triumph was made into a film Champions, with John Hurt portraying Champion...
and AldanitiAldanitiAldaniti , , was a famous racehorse who won the Grand National on 4 April 1981. Jockey Bob Champion famously recovered from cancer while Aldaniti recovered after suffering a career threatening injury. The horse was trained by Josh Gifford...
, the winners of the 1981 Grand National1981 Grand NationalThe 1981 Grand National was the 135th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1981....
; - West TipWest TipWest Tip was a racehorse who won the Grand National in 1986, ridden by Richard Dunwoody. He fell in the 1985 race at Bechers Brook on the second circuit, and finished fourth in 1987 and 1988, second in 1989, tenth in 1990, on each occasion he was ridden by Dunwoody. He was retired after the 1990...
, who ran in six consecutive Nationals and won once in 19861986 Grand NationalThe 1986 Grand National was the 140th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1986....
; - Richard DunwoodyRichard DunwoodyThomas Richard Dunwoody MBE is a retired British jockey in National Hunt racing. He was a three-time Champion Jockey, riding 1699 British winners in his career. His father was a leading Point to Point rider...
, the jockey who rode West Tip and MiinnehomaMiinnehomaMiinnehoma was an Irish bred and British trained Thoroughbred racehorse most famous for his victory in the 1994 Grand National at Aintree, ridden by Richard Dunwoody, trained by Martin Pipe and owned by Freddie Starr....
to victory and who competed in 14 Grand Nationals, being placed in eight; - Brian FletcherBrian FletcherBrian Fletcher is an English Jockey notable for riding the horse Red Rum to win the Grand National in 1973 and 1974 and for second place in 1975. He first won the Grand National at the age of 19, in 1968 riding Red Alligator. He retired in 1976 with head injury...
, a jockey who won the race three times (including Red Rum's first victory in 19731973 Grand NationalThe 1973 Grand National was the 127th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at the Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 31 March 1973....
, and finished second once and third three times; - Vincent O'BrienVincent O'BrienDr. 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 trained three consecutive winners of the race in the 1950s; - Tom OlliverTom OlliverThomas '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....
, who rode in nineteen Nationals, including seventeen consecutively, and won three times, as well as finishing second three times and third once; - Count Karel Kinsky, the first international winner of the race, and at his first attempt, on board the mare Zoedone in 1883;
- Jack AnthonyJack Anthony (jockey)John Randolph Anthony , better known as Jack Anthony, was a Welsh jockey.Anthony was best known for his three victories in the Grand National steeplechase: on "Glenside" in 1911, on "Ally Sloper" in 1915, and on "Troytown" in 1920...
, three-time winning jockey in 1911, 1915 and 1920; and - Peter BromleyPeter BromleyPeter Bromley was BBC Radio's voice of horse racing for 40 years, and one of the most famous and recognised sports broadcasters in the United Kingdom.-Early life:...
, the radio commentator, who covered 42 Nationals until his retirement.
John Smith's also added five "people's legends" who were introduced on Liverpool Day, the first day of the Grand National meeting. The five were:
- Arthur Ferrie, who worked as a groundsman during the 1970s and 1980s;
- Edie Roche, a Melling Road resident, who opened her home to jockeys, spectators and members of the media when the course was evacuated following a bomb threat in 1997;
- Ian Stewart, a fan who had travelled from Coventry every year to watch the race and was attending his fiftieth National in 2010;
- Police Constable Ken Lawson, who was celebrating thirty-one years of service in the mounted section of Merseyside Police and was set to escort his third National winner in 2010; and
- Tony Roberts, whose first visit to the National had been in 1948 and who had steadily spread the word to family and friends about the race, regularly bringing a party of up to thirty people to the course.
Mares
Since its inception, 13 mareMare
Female horses are called mares.Mare is the Latin word for "sea".The word may also refer to:-People:* Ahmed Marzooq, also known as Mare, a footballer and Secretary General of Maldives Olympic Committee* Mare Winningham, American actress and singer...
s have won the race:
- Charity (1841)
- Miss Mowbray (1852)
- Anatis (1860)
- Jealousy (1861)
- Emblem (1863)
- Emblematic (1864)
- Casse Tete (1872)
- Empress (1880)
- Zoedone (1883)
- Frigate (1889)
- Shannon Lass (1902)
- Sheila's Cottage (1948)
- Nickel Coin (1951)
Female jockeys
Since 1977, female jockeys have participated in 18 Grand Nationals. Geraldine Rees became the first to complete the course in 19821982 Grand National
The 1982 Grand National was the 136th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1982....
. In 2011
2011 Grand National
The 2011 Grand National was the 164th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England....
Nina Carberry became the first female jockey to take her third ride in the race, also completing for the third time.
| Year | Jockey | Horse | SP | Result |
| 1977 1977 Grand National The 1977 Grand National was the 131st renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 2 April 1977.... |
Charlotte Brew | Barony Fort | 200/1 | Refused, 26th fence |
| 1979 | Jenny Hembrow | Sandwilan | 100/1 | Fell, 1st fence |
| 1980 | Jenny Hembrow | Sandwilan | 100/1 | Pulled up, 19th fence |
| 1981 1981 Grand National The 1981 Grand National was the 135th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1981.... |
Linda Sheedy | Deiopea | 100/1 | Refused, 19th fence |
| 1982 1982 Grand National The 1982 Grand National was the 136th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1982.... |
Geraldine Rees | Cheers | 66/1 | Completed, 8th and last place |
| 1982 1982 Grand National The 1982 Grand National was the 136th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1982.... |
Charlotte Brew | Martinstown | 100/1 | Unseated, 3rd fence |
| 1983 1983 Grand National The 1983 Grand National was the 137th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1983.... |
Geraldine Rees | Midday Welcome | 500/1 | Fell, 1st fence |
| 1983 1983 Grand National The 1983 Grand National was the 137th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1983.... |
Joy Carrier | King Spruce | 28/1 | Unseated, 6th fence |
| 1984 1984 Grand National The 1984 Grand National was the 138th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1984.... |
Valerie Alder | Bush Guide | 33/1 | Fell, 8th fence |
| 1987 1987 Grand National The 1987 Grand National was the 141st renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, in April 1987.... |
Jacqui Oliver | Eamons Owen | 200/1 | Unseated, 15th fence |
| 1988 1988 Grand National The 1988 Grand National was the 142nd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 9 April 1988.... |
Gee Armytage | Gee-A | 33/1 | Pulled up, 26th fence |
| 1988 1988 Grand National The 1988 Grand National was the 142nd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 9 April 1988.... |
Venetia Williams Venetia Williams Venetia Williams is a British racehorse trainer specialising in National Hunt racing. She is based at stables at Aramstone in Herefordshire, England.... |
Marcolo | 200/1 | Fell, 6th fence |
| 1988 1988 Grand National The 1988 Grand National was the 142nd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 9 April 1988.... |
Penny Ffitch-Heyes | Hettinger | 200/1 | Fell, 1st fence |
| 1989 1989 Grand National The 1989 Grand National was the 143rd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 8 April 1989.... |
Tarnya Davis | Numerate | 100/1 | Pulled up, 21st fence |
| 1994 1994 Grand National The 1994 Grand National was the 147th official renewal the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 9 April 1994.... |
Rosemary Henderson | Fiddlers Pike | 100/1 | Completed, 5th place |
| 2005 2005 Grand National The 2005 Grand National was the 158th official annual running of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 9 April 2005 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for total prize money of £700,000 including £406,000 to... |
Carrie Ford | Forest Gunner | 8/1 | Completed, 5th place |
| 2006 2006 Grand National The 2006 Grand National was the 159th official annual running of the Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 8 April 2006 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for total prize money of £689,360 including £399,140 to the... |
Nina Carberry Nina Carberry Nina Carberry is an Irish female National Hunt jockey. She hails from a racing family and is the daughter of jockey Tommy Carberry. In 2011 she won the Irish Grand National on Organisedconfusion which was trained by her uncle Arthur Moore and became only the second woman rider to win the race... |
Forest Gunner | 33/1 | Completed, 9th and last place |
| 2010 2010 Grand National The 2010 Grand National was the 163rd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at the Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 10 April 2010.... |
Nina Carberry Nina Carberry Nina Carberry is an Irish female National Hunt jockey. She hails from a racing family and is the daughter of jockey Tommy Carberry. In 2011 she won the Irish Grand National on Organisedconfusion which was trained by her uncle Arthur Moore and became only the second woman rider to win the race... |
Character Building | 16/1 | Completed, 7th place |
| 2011 2011 Grand National The 2011 Grand National was the 164th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England.... |
Nina Carberry Nina Carberry Nina Carberry is an Irish female National Hunt jockey. She hails from a racing family and is the daughter of jockey Tommy Carberry. In 2011 she won the Irish Grand National on Organisedconfusion which was trained by her uncle Arthur Moore and became only the second woman rider to win the race... |
Character Building | 25/1 | Completed, 15th place |
International winners
Two FrenchFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
-trained horses have won the Grand National, Huntsman (1862) and Cortolvin (1867). Four other winners were bred in France — Alcibiade (1865), Reugny (1874), Lutteur III (1909), and Mon Mome (2009
2009 Grand National
The 2009 Grand National was the 162nd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 4 April 2009...
).
In 1923, Sergeant Murphy became the first U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-bred horse to win the race. He is also the joint-second oldest horse to win, at age 13, alongside Why Not (1884). The U.S.-bred Battleship
Battleship (horse)
Battleship was an American Thoroughbred Racehorse who was the only horse in history to win both the American Grand National and the English Grand National steeplechase races.-Breeding:...
, son of the famous Man o' War
Man O' War
Man O' War, man o' war or manowar may refer to:* Man-of-war, a warship* Man of war for uses with this spelling - Places :...
, became the first (and so far only) horse to have won both the Grand National (in 1938) and the American Grand National (which he won four years earlier).
Jockey William Watkinson recorded the first riding success for Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in 1926. He was killed at Bogside, Scotland, less than three weeks after winning the National.
1991
1991 Grand National
The 1991 Grand National was the 145th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 6 April 1991....
was the seventh and final year that the Grand National was sponsored by Seagram
Seagram
The Seagram Company Ltd. was a large corporation headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada that was the largest distiller of alcoholic beverages in the world. Toward the end of its independent existence it also controlled various entertainment and other business ventures...
. Aptly, the race was won by a horse named Seagram, bred in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. 1997
1997 Grand National
The 1997 Grand National was the 150th official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase held at Aintree near Liverpool, England...
saw another New Zealand-bred winner in Lord Gyllene
Lord Gyllene
Lord Gyllene was a New Zealand bred racehorse whose greatest victory came in the 1997 Grand National at Aintree. He was trained by Steve Brookshaw for owner Stan Clarke and ridden by Tony Dobbin. He was retired by his owner in 2001 due to injury...
.
Other British winners
The only WelshWales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
-trained horse to win was Kirkland in 1905.
Rubstic, trained by John Leadbetter in Roxburghshire
Roxburghshire
Roxburghshire or the County of Roxburgh is a registration county of Scotland. It borders Dumfries to the west, Selkirk to the north-west, and Berwick to the north. To the south-east it borders Cumbria and Northumberland in England.It was named after the Royal Burgh of Roxburgh...
, became the first Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
-trained winner, with victory in 1979.
Irish winners
IrishRepublic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
horses have enjoyed by far the most success of international participants, with 16 winners since 1900, including six since 1999
1999 Grand National
The 1999 Grand National was the 152nd official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 10 April 1999....
:
| Year | Horse | Jockey | SP |
| 2007 2007 Grand National The 2007 Grand National was the 160th official annual running of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 14 April 2007 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for a total prize money of £700,000... |
Silver Birch Silver Birch (horse) Silver Birch is an Irish-trained thoroughbred racehorse, owned by Brian Walsh of County Kildare. Ridden by Robbie Power and trained by 29 year-old Gordon Elliott, Silver Birch was the winner of the 2007 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse, run on Saturday 14 April 2007... |
Robbie Power Robbie Power Robbie "Puppy" Power, son of Irish show-jumper Con Power, is the National Hunt jockey who rode 33-1 outsider Silver Birch to victory in the 2007 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday 14 April 2007 .-Footnotes:... |
33/1 |
| 2006 2006 Grand National The 2006 Grand National was the 159th official annual running of the Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 8 April 2006 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for total prize money of £689,360 including £399,140 to the... |
Numbersixvalverde Numbersixvalverde Numbersixvalverde is an Irish race horse who won both the 2005 Irish Grand National and 2006 Aintree Grand National steeplechase, beating Hedgehunter by six lengths with Niall 'Slippers' Madden in the saddle.... |
Niall Madden Niall Madden Niall "Slippers" Madden is an Irish jockey who rode the racehorse Numbersixvalverde to win the 2006 Grand National steeplechase at Aintree Racecourse.... |
11/1 |
| 2005 2005 Grand National The 2005 Grand National was the 158th official annual running of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 9 April 2005 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for total prize money of £700,000 including £406,000 to... |
Hedgehunter Hedgehunter Hedgehunter is an Irish race horse, who won the 2005 Grand National steeplechase, ridden by Ruby Walsh and trained by Willie Mullins. He had fallen at the final fence the previous year when well placed. He then finished second in 2006 to Numbersixvalverde... |
Ruby Walsh Ruby Walsh Ruby Walsh is the reigning Irish National Hunt champion jockey. He is the second child, and eldest son, of former champion amateur jockey Ted Walsh and his wife Helen.-Success:... |
7/1 F |
| 2003 2003 Grand National The 2003 Grand National was the 156th renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree at 3:45pm BST, on 5 April 2003.... |
Monty's Pass Monty's Pass Monty's Pass was the winner of the 2003 Grand National at Aintree, Liverpool when ridden by Barry Geraghty, trained by Jimmy Mangan and running in the colours of the Dee Racing Syndicate, a group of owners based in Donaghadee, Northern Ireland and led by Blackpool born bingo hall owner, Mike... |
Barry Geraghty Barry Geraghty Barry Geraghty is an Irish jockey.Geraghty rode his first winner in January 1997, three years later he became the Irish Champion jump jockey for the first time. He rode his first Cheltenham winner on the Jessica Harrington trained Moscow Flyer in the 2002 Arkle Chase.He won the Grand National in... |
16/1 |
| 2000 2000 Grand National The 2000 Grand National was the 153rd official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree on 8 April 2000.... |
Papillon Papillon (horse) Papillon is an Irish racehorse formerly trained at Greenhills stables, near Naas in County Kildare. His most notable success was winning the 2000 Grand National.Papillon is owned by American Mrs Betty Moran, owner of Brushwood Stable... |
Ruby Walsh Ruby Walsh Ruby Walsh is the reigning Irish National Hunt champion jockey. He is the second child, and eldest son, of former champion amateur jockey Ted Walsh and his wife Helen.-Success:... |
10/1 |
| 1999 1999 Grand National The 1999 Grand National was the 152nd official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 10 April 1999.... |
Bobbyjo Bobbyjo Bobbyjo was an Irish bred racehorse by Bustineto and Markup, best remembered as the winner of the 1999 Grand National steeplechase at Aintree.... |
Paul Carberry Paul Carberry Paul Carberry is an Irish National Hunt jockey.- Background :He was born on 9 February 1974. He hails from a racing family. He is the son of jockey Tommy Carberry, who was a famous National Hunt jockey in the 1960s and 1970s. His uncle is Arthur Moore, one of Ireland's leading National Hunt trainers... |
10/1 |
| 1975 | L'Escargot L'Escargot (horse) L'Escargot was a racehorse notable as being the horse who halted the winning run of Red Rum at the Aintree Grand National in 1975. L’Escargot was owned by Raymond R. Guest, and ridden by champion Irish jockey Tommy Carberry. He was trained by Dan Moore, and beat Red Rum by 15 lengths.He won as a... |
Tommy Carberry Tommy Carberry Tommy Carberry is a retired National Hunt jockey who was twice overall champion Irish jockey and five times champion national hunt jockey. He rode in his first race in 1958, and was crowned champion apprentice in 1959... |
13/2 |
| 1958 | Mr. What | Arthur Freeman | 18/1 |
| 1955 | Quare Times | Pat Taaffe | 100/9 |
| 1954 1954 Grand National 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.... |
Royal Tan | Bryan Marshall | 8/1 |
| 1953 | Early Mist | Bryan Marshall | 20/1 |
| 1947 | Caughoo | Eddie Dempsey | 100/1 |
| 1939 | Workman | Tim Hyde | 100/8 |
| 1920 | Troytown | Mr. Jack Anthony | 6/1 |
| 1900 | Ambush II | Algy Anthony | 4/1 |
Famous owners
The 1900 winner Ambush II was owned by HRH Prince of Wales, later to become King Edward VIIEdward VII of the United Kingdom
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
. In 1950 Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon was the queen consort of King George VI from 1936 until her husband's death in 1952, after which she was known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, to avoid confusion with her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II...
had her first runner in the race in Monaveen, who finished fifth. Six years later she would witness her Devon Loch
Devon Loch
Devon Loch was a famous racehorse that is probably best remembered for its involvement in the 1956 Grand National steeplechase, when owned by Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother....
collapse on the run-in, just yards from a certain victory.
The favourite for the 1968 race, Different Class, was owned by actor Gregory Peck
Gregory Peck
Eldred Gregory Peck was an American actor.One of 20th Century Fox's most popular film stars from the 1940s to the 1960s, Peck continued to play important roles well into the 1980s. His notable performances include that of Atticus Finch in the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird, for which he won an...
.
1994
1994 Grand National
The 1994 Grand National was the 147th official renewal the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 9 April 1994....
winner Miinnehoma
Miinnehoma
Miinnehoma was an Irish bred and British trained Thoroughbred racehorse most famous for his victory in the 1994 Grand National at Aintree, ridden by Richard Dunwoody, trained by Martin Pipe and owned by Freddie Starr....
was owned by comedian Freddie Starr
Freddie Starr
Freddie Starr is an English comedian who became famous in the early 1970s. He is also an impressionist and singer, with a chart album After the Laughter and UK Top 10 single, "It's You", in March 1974 to his credit.-Early career:Under his real name, he appeared as a teenager in the film Violent...
.
A 12/1 shot, What A Friend, running in 2011
2011 Grand National
The 2011 Grand National was the 164th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England....
, was part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
. He was pulled up by jockey Daryl Jacob before the 27th fence.