Mick the Miller
Encyclopedia
Mick the Miller was a male brindle
Greyhound
. He is celebrated as the first great racing greyhound
to compete in England. Despite a short three year racing career, his achievements were highly publicised around the world and by the end of his career he had become an icon in the sport. His achievements include winning nineteen races in a row, including the English Greyhound Derby
on two successive occasions. He suffered an injury at Wimbledon Stadium
whilst racing which broke the streak in 1931, and once recovered was beaten in the attempt to win a third Derby title. He went on to appear in films, and is still considered one of the greatest sporting heroes in the UK.
Greyhound
, was born in Killeigh
, Co. Offaly, before the introduction of Greyhound track racing
in Ireland, and before the sport became popular in Britain. The smallest of a litter of ten puppies, his father was a direct descendant of Master McGrath
, a famous Irish Greyhound who won the Waterloo Cup
on three occasions. Originally expected to be used for hare coursing
, a deal was discussed with dog owner Moses Rebenschied to take Mick to America to compete in the Greyhound racing circuit, however before the deal could go through a tornado struck St. Louis, Missouri
, killing 27 of Rebenschied's Greyhounds when the roof was blown off their kennel, and a further four dogs died when a van driven by his son was overturned by the storm. In a letter from Rebenschied calling off the deal he stated his reason, "I repeat, the hand of God is warning me against greyhounds."
A Catholic priest, Father Martin Brophy, brought Mick to race in England, although nearby sold the dog as a puppy to another priest, Father Maurice Browne. Although the Catholic Church in Ireland had no issues with Greyhound racing, the Catholic Church in Great Britain at the time was against it, having published a pamphlet entitled "Dog Racing" which called it a "threat to Sunday dinners", and described gambling that "the distribution of losses and dividends had an anti-social character because the poorest, the most unhappy, the physically and emotionally handicapped, are made to pay for the professionals and semi-professionals who get hold of intimate knowledge."
on 25 July 1929, Mick broke the track record, reducing his odds from an initial 25–1 to becoming the 4–7 favorite to win by the time of the final, despite still being new off the board from Ireland. In the first round, Mick pulled away down the back straight, beating Captured Half by eight lengths and setting a time of 29.82, a new world record over that length. Father Browne sold Mick for £800, plus any prize money that the dog would win on the night, which at the time was more than the cost of buying a house in nearby Shepherd's Bush
. By 8:45pm, when the final took place, some 40,000 spectators were in the ground. The lineup was four dogs; in trap one was Beadsman at 20–1; trap two was Palatinus at 3–1; trap three was Entomb at –, and finally Mick the Miller in trap four, wearing the black jacket. Palatinus made the best start, at the first bend both Mick and Entomb attempted to move inside to the rail, but Beadsman collided with both of them, sending all three dogs sprawling. The no–race klaxon went off, and the race had to be restarted. None of the dogs were allowed to leave the track with until the race was re–run at 9:15pm, the only comfort given to Mick on a particularly hot summer's evening was a handkerchief
soaked in cold water.
The re–run began, with Palatinus again getting away first, however at the first corner, Mick pursued him around the first corner alone. Catching him down the back straight, Mick pulled away around the third bend going on to beat him by three lengths in a time of 29.96. Although Palatinus completed the first run through, his time was one fifth of a second slower than that made by Mick in the second. When villagers in his home town of Killeigh heard of his success, a impromptu bonfire party was held.
He won the Derby again in the following year, in front of 50,000 spectators including King Alfonso XIII of Spain
. His victory there was his eleventh in succession. Mick won the Welsh Greyhound Derby in 1930 at the Sloper Road Stadium, setting the world record again, this time at 29.55 seconds over 525 yards (480.1 m). His run extended nineteen successive victories before he tore a shoulder muscle in a race at Wimbledon Stadium
. During the run, his broke world records on four occasions and newspaper editors stopped using the headline of "Wonder Dog", instead replacing it with simply "Invincible". A comeback was attempted in February 1931, again at Wimbledon, however Mick suffered a torn dewclaw
in a trial, setting back his return until March with the aim of winning a third Derby.
The final took place on the 27 June 1931, with 70,000 spectators attending to see Mick the Miller take on "The Black Express" Ryland R. The two dogs were both matched as joint favourites for the final at odds of 13–8. The othier four dogs in the race were Golden hammer, Mick's Fancy, Seldom Lad and Brunswick Bill. Just after 9pm, Ryland is out of the traps ahead of the others once again, with Mick in last position as they go around the first bend. Ryland lead all the way until the final turn where Seldom Lad closed on him. The two dogs made contact and go wide, the race steward spotted that Ryland had turned to snap at Seldom Lad and sets off the no–race klaxon. The noise is drowned out by the crowd as Mick the Miller is suddenly coming through the pack. Despite being bumped earlier in the race, he found the inside rail and moved up passed the others, beating Golden Hammer by a head at the line. The announcer repeats that it is a no race to the disappointment of the crowd. Ryland R was disqualified for "nosing and impeding" another dog. Phiddy Kempton, Mick's owner at the time, broke down into tears, "Mick has won! My darling Mick has won!" he cried. A re–run was ordered for 9:55pm, while the crowd began to get unruly. Kempton was refusing to allow Mick to compete in the re–run, adamant he had already run the Derby. The directors of the Greyhound Racing Association
were in attendance, and knowing the effect that both the two favourites not running in the final of the Derby would mean for the sport, convinced Kempton to run Mick.
The race was re–run, and the tired Mick was never close to placing. He slipped at the first bend whilst attempting to take the inside. Seldom Lad overtook Golden Hammer and won the race unchallenged, with Mick finishing in fourth place. Mick's time in the voided race was 29.89 seconds, some two and a half lengths faster than Seldom Lad's time in the second. Mick lost a fourth race in a row for the first time ever, and the Derby trophy was awarded to Seldom Lad's owners amid a host of boos from the crowd.
The circumstances of the third derby changed the public perception of Mick. He was no longer simply a racing Greyhound, he had become a public icon and became the embodiment of the sport at a international level. The Greyhound Mirror and Gazette proclaimed of Mick, "Greyhound racing is still in its infancy, but already it has produced a popular favourite as idolised as any horse, cinema star, footballer or boxer in history." He was featured in articles around the world including Welt im Bild (Germany), the Herald Sun
(Australia) and The American Weekly
(USA). Mick continued to race for most of the rest of the year, with his final race being the St Leger Stakes in October at what was then called the Empire Stadium, winning the race whilst watched by 40,000 spectators. This race was later described as the greatest race ever staged at Wembley, which would go on to hold Greyhound racing until 1998 prior to its demolition to make room for the new Wembley Stadium
. In qualifying for the final of that race, he beat Seldom Lad on three occasions. His retirement was announced in December 1931.
on 30 July, 1932. He appeared with Flanagan and Allen
in the 1934 movie The Wild Boy. Although the Evening News predicted that it would be the "one of the most popular British films of the year", no box office records were kept and the only known copy is in the possession of the British Film Institute
. It was reported as being badly received by critics and ran massively over budget.
Mick died on 6 May 1939, a few weeks short of his thirteenth birthday, having amassed around £20,000 in stud fees, from appearances in films, and in prize money. After his death he was stuffed
and given by his last owner, A.H. Kempton, to the Natural History Museum
in London; he has since been moved to the Natural History Museum at Tring in Hertfordshire where he is still on public view. He stands in cabinet 58 of the household dogs section at the museum in an airtight case filled with an insecticide called Vapona
in order to prevent any damage by insects.
victories in 1929 and 1930. An enclosure is named after Mick at Wimbledon Stadium
. Mick remained the only dog to win two Derby titles until 1973, when Patricia's Hope won her second title. Royal Doulton
produced a limited edition run of Mick the Miller figurines in the 1990s. A memorial to Mick was built on the village green of his birthplace in Killeigh
, Co. Offaly. The statue was created by Northern Irish artist Liz O'Kane, and was unveiled by the Taoiseach
of Ireland, Brian Cowen
.
In 2007, journalist Jon Henderson drew up his list of 100 top British sportsman for his book Best of British: Hendo's Sporting Hisoes. Mick the Miller was included in the list as the only Greyhold, with the only other animal being multi–time Grand National
winner Red Rum
. He is still referred to as the world's most famous Greyhound, having won 51 of the 68 races he was entered into and is the only dog to have won the treble of the Derby, Cesarewitch and St Leger.
Brindle
Brindle is a coat coloring pattern in animals, particularly dogs, cats, cattle, guinea pigs, crested geckos and, rarely, horses. It is sometimes described as "tiger striped", although the brindle pattern is more subtle than that of a tiger's coat...
Greyhound
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a breed of sighthound that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, and the breed has also recently seen a resurgence in its popularity as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed...
. He is celebrated as the first great racing greyhound
Greyhound racing
Greyhound racing is the sport of racing greyhounds. The dogs chase a lure on a track until they arrive at the finish line. The one that arrives first is the winner....
to compete in England. Despite a short three year racing career, his achievements were highly publicised around the world and by the end of his career he had become an icon in the sport. His achievements include winning nineteen races in a row, including the English Greyhound Derby
English Greyhound Derby
The English Greyhound Derby, also known as the williamhill.com Greyhound Derby for sponsorship purposes, is the most prestigious race on the UK calendar, with a history stretching back to 1927...
on two successive occasions. He suffered an injury at Wimbledon Stadium
Wimbledon Stadium
Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track located in Wimbledon in southwest London, England. It also hosts speedway, stock car and other racing events....
whilst racing which broke the streak in 1931, and once recovered was beaten in the attempt to win a third Derby title. He went on to appear in films, and is still considered one of the greatest sporting heroes in the UK.
Early life
Mick, a male brindleBrindle
Brindle is a coat coloring pattern in animals, particularly dogs, cats, cattle, guinea pigs, crested geckos and, rarely, horses. It is sometimes described as "tiger striped", although the brindle pattern is more subtle than that of a tiger's coat...
Greyhound
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a breed of sighthound that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, and the breed has also recently seen a resurgence in its popularity as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed...
, was born in Killeigh
Killeigh
Killeigh ) is a village in County Offaly, Ireland, located south of Tullamore on the N80 national secondary road. The Slieve Bloom Mountains lie a similar distance further south.-See also:* List of towns and villages in Ireland...
, Co. Offaly, before the introduction of Greyhound track racing
Greyhound racing
Greyhound racing is the sport of racing greyhounds. The dogs chase a lure on a track until they arrive at the finish line. The one that arrives first is the winner....
in Ireland, and before the sport became popular in Britain. The smallest of a litter of ten puppies, his father was a direct descendant of Master McGrath
Master McGrath
Master McGrath was a famous greyhound in the sport of hare coursing.-Early days:Master McGrath was born in County Waterford, Ireland. A small, weak pup, he went on to become the most celebrated and successful dog of his time. Master McGrath was born in 1866 at Colligan Lodge, the home of James...
, a famous Irish Greyhound who won the Waterloo Cup
Waterloo Cup
The Waterloo Cup was a coursing event. The three day event was run annually at Great Altcar in Lancashire, England from 1836 to 2005 and it used to attract tens of thousands of spectators to watch and gamble on the coursing matches...
on three occasions. Originally expected to be used for hare coursing
Hare coursing
Hare coursing is the pursuit of hares with greyhounds and other sighthounds, which chase the hare by sight and not by scent. It is a competitive sport, in which dogs are tested on their ability to run, overtake and turn a hare, rather than a form of hunting aiming at the capture of game. It has a...
, a deal was discussed with dog owner Moses Rebenschied to take Mick to America to compete in the Greyhound racing circuit, however before the deal could go through a tornado struck St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, killing 27 of Rebenschied's Greyhounds when the roof was blown off their kennel, and a further four dogs died when a van driven by his son was overturned by the storm. In a letter from Rebenschied calling off the deal he stated his reason, "I repeat, the hand of God is warning me against greyhounds."
A Catholic priest, Father Martin Brophy, brought Mick to race in England, although nearby sold the dog as a puppy to another priest, Father Maurice Browne. Although the Catholic Church in Ireland had no issues with Greyhound racing, the Catholic Church in Great Britain at the time was against it, having published a pamphlet entitled "Dog Racing" which called it a "threat to Sunday dinners", and described gambling that "the distribution of losses and dividends had an anti-social character because the poorest, the most unhappy, the physically and emotionally handicapped, are made to pay for the professionals and semi-professionals who get hold of intimate knowledge."
1929 English Greyhound Derby
In a solo trial prior to the English Greyhound DerbyEnglish Greyhound Derby
The English Greyhound Derby, also known as the williamhill.com Greyhound Derby for sponsorship purposes, is the most prestigious race on the UK calendar, with a history stretching back to 1927...
on 25 July 1929, Mick broke the track record, reducing his odds from an initial 25–1 to becoming the 4–7 favorite to win by the time of the final, despite still being new off the board from Ireland. In the first round, Mick pulled away down the back straight, beating Captured Half by eight lengths and setting a time of 29.82, a new world record over that length. Father Browne sold Mick for £800, plus any prize money that the dog would win on the night, which at the time was more than the cost of buying a house in nearby Shepherd's Bush
Shepherd's Bush
-Commerce:Commercial activity in Shepherd's Bush is now focused on the Westfield shopping centre next to Shepherd's Bush Central line station and on the many small shops which run along the northern side of the Green....
. By 8:45pm, when the final took place, some 40,000 spectators were in the ground. The lineup was four dogs; in trap one was Beadsman at 20–1; trap two was Palatinus at 3–1; trap three was Entomb at –, and finally Mick the Miller in trap four, wearing the black jacket. Palatinus made the best start, at the first bend both Mick and Entomb attempted to move inside to the rail, but Beadsman collided with both of them, sending all three dogs sprawling. The no–race klaxon went off, and the race had to be restarted. None of the dogs were allowed to leave the track with until the race was re–run at 9:15pm, the only comfort given to Mick on a particularly hot summer's evening was a handkerchief
Handkerchief
A handkerchief , also called a handkercher or hanky, is a form of a kerchief, typically a hemmed square of thin fabric that can be carried in the pocket or purse, and which is intended for personal hygiene purposes such as wiping one's hands or face, or blowing one's nose...
soaked in cold water.
The re–run began, with Palatinus again getting away first, however at the first corner, Mick pursued him around the first corner alone. Catching him down the back straight, Mick pulled away around the third bend going on to beat him by three lengths in a time of 29.96. Although Palatinus completed the first run through, his time was one fifth of a second slower than that made by Mick in the second. When villagers in his home town of Killeigh heard of his success, a impromptu bonfire party was held.
He won the Derby again in the following year, in front of 50,000 spectators including King Alfonso XIII of Spain
Alfonso XIII of Spain
Alfonso XIII was King of Spain from 1886 until 1931. His mother, Maria Christina of Austria, was appointed regent during his minority...
. His victory there was his eleventh in succession. Mick won the Welsh Greyhound Derby in 1930 at the Sloper Road Stadium, setting the world record again, this time at 29.55 seconds over 525 yards (480.1 m). His run extended nineteen successive victories before he tore a shoulder muscle in a race at Wimbledon Stadium
Wimbledon Stadium
Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track located in Wimbledon in southwest London, England. It also hosts speedway, stock car and other racing events....
. During the run, his broke world records on four occasions and newspaper editors stopped using the headline of "Wonder Dog", instead replacing it with simply "Invincible". A comeback was attempted in February 1931, again at Wimbledon, however Mick suffered a torn dewclaw
Dewclaw
A dewclaw is a vestigial digit on the foot of many mammals, birds, and reptiles . It commonly grows high on the leg so that in digitigrade species, when the animal is standing, it does not make contact with the ground...
in a trial, setting back his return until March with the aim of winning a third Derby.
1931 English Greyhound Derby
Suffering shock defeats by Mick's Fancy in the eleventh heat of the 1931 Derby, and again by five lengths in the second round by a new Irish import, a dog called Ryland R who weighed over 80 pounds (36.3 kg). Mick had still been favourite in that race, but for the first time in some 25 races, he was not odds on. Ryland R and Mick met again in the semi finals on 20 June, the second time in 48 races that Mick was not the favourite since coming over from Ireland. Coming out the first turn, Mick was fifth, but was bumped so wide that Ryland opened up a fifteen length lead over his at one point. However, Mick sped on, and overtook the other dogs until only Ryland remained. As they crossed the line, Ryland took the victory, but by only half a length. The Evening News stated that "Mick has never run a better race". However, this was the first time that Mick had ever lost three consecutive races, but at least qualified for the final.The final took place on the 27 June 1931, with 70,000 spectators attending to see Mick the Miller take on "The Black Express" Ryland R. The two dogs were both matched as joint favourites for the final at odds of 13–8. The othier four dogs in the race were Golden hammer, Mick's Fancy, Seldom Lad and Brunswick Bill. Just after 9pm, Ryland is out of the traps ahead of the others once again, with Mick in last position as they go around the first bend. Ryland lead all the way until the final turn where Seldom Lad closed on him. The two dogs made contact and go wide, the race steward spotted that Ryland had turned to snap at Seldom Lad and sets off the no–race klaxon. The noise is drowned out by the crowd as Mick the Miller is suddenly coming through the pack. Despite being bumped earlier in the race, he found the inside rail and moved up passed the others, beating Golden Hammer by a head at the line. The announcer repeats that it is a no race to the disappointment of the crowd. Ryland R was disqualified for "nosing and impeding" another dog. Phiddy Kempton, Mick's owner at the time, broke down into tears, "Mick has won! My darling Mick has won!" he cried. A re–run was ordered for 9:55pm, while the crowd began to get unruly. Kempton was refusing to allow Mick to compete in the re–run, adamant he had already run the Derby. The directors of the Greyhound Racing Association
Greyhound Racing Association
The Greyhound Racing Association is a private company involved in the management of sports venues.It currently operates five sites:*Oxford Stadium*Wimbledon Stadium, London*Hall Green Stadium, Birmingham*Perry Barr Stadium, Birmingham...
were in attendance, and knowing the effect that both the two favourites not running in the final of the Derby would mean for the sport, convinced Kempton to run Mick.
The race was re–run, and the tired Mick was never close to placing. He slipped at the first bend whilst attempting to take the inside. Seldom Lad overtook Golden Hammer and won the race unchallenged, with Mick finishing in fourth place. Mick's time in the voided race was 29.89 seconds, some two and a half lengths faster than Seldom Lad's time in the second. Mick lost a fourth race in a row for the first time ever, and the Derby trophy was awarded to Seldom Lad's owners amid a host of boos from the crowd.
The circumstances of the third derby changed the public perception of Mick. He was no longer simply a racing Greyhound, he had become a public icon and became the embodiment of the sport at a international level. The Greyhound Mirror and Gazette proclaimed of Mick, "Greyhound racing is still in its infancy, but already it has produced a popular favourite as idolised as any horse, cinema star, footballer or boxer in history." He was featured in articles around the world including Welt im Bild (Germany), the Herald Sun
Herald Sun
The Herald Sun is a morning tabloid newspaper based in Melbourne, Australia. It is published by The Herald and Weekly Times, a subsidiary of News Limited, itself a subsidiary of News Corporation. It is available for purchase throughout Melbourne, Regional Victoria, Tasmania, the Australian Capital...
(Australia) and The American Weekly
The American Weekly
The American Weekly was a United States magazine published by the Hearst Corporation from November 1, 1896, until 1966.A Sunday newspaper supplement which published many sensationalist stories, it was initially named The American Magazine but soon changed to The American Weekly. The name was...
(USA). Mick continued to race for most of the rest of the year, with his final race being the St Leger Stakes in October at what was then called the Empire Stadium, winning the race whilst watched by 40,000 spectators. This race was later described as the greatest race ever staged at Wembley, which would go on to hold Greyhound racing until 1998 prior to its demolition to make room for the new Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
. In qualifying for the final of that race, he beat Seldom Lad on three occasions. His retirement was announced in December 1931.
Later life
Mick spent the next two years at stud in Norfolk, although was a special guest at the opening of Catford StadiumCatford Stadium
Catford Stadium was a historic greyhound track in Catford, a suburb of London. It was open between 1932 and 2003, when it was closed by its commercial operator Wembley . The local amateur side, Catford Wanderers, were mooted to move into the stadium, though this dream was never realised...
on 30 July, 1932. He appeared with Flanagan and Allen
Flanagan and Allen
Flanagan and Allen were a British singing and comedy double act popular during World War II. Its members were Bud Flanagan and Chesney Allen...
in the 1934 movie The Wild Boy. Although the Evening News predicted that it would be the "one of the most popular British films of the year", no box office records were kept and the only known copy is in the possession of the British Film Institute
British Film Institute
The British Film Institute is a charitable organisation established by Royal Charter to:-Cinemas:The BFI runs the BFI Southbank and IMAX theatre, both located on the south bank of the River Thames in London...
. It was reported as being badly received by critics and ran massively over budget.
Mick died on 6 May 1939, a few weeks short of his thirteenth birthday, having amassed around £20,000 in stud fees, from appearances in films, and in prize money. After his death he was stuffed
Taxidermy
Taxidermy is the act of mounting or reproducing dead animals for display or for other sources of study. Taxidermy can be done on all vertebrate species of animals, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians...
and given by his last owner, A.H. Kempton, to the Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England . Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road...
in London; he has since been moved to the Natural History Museum at Tring in Hertfordshire where he is still on public view. He stands in cabinet 58 of the household dogs section at the museum in an airtight case filled with an insecticide called Vapona
Dichlorvos
Dichlorvos or 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate is a highly volatile organophosphate, widely used as a insecticide to control household pests, in public health, and protecting stored product from insects. It is effective against mushroom flies, aphids, spider mites, caterpillars, thrips, and...
in order to prevent any damage by insects.
Legacy
Mick the Miller is still credited as popularising Greyhound racing in Great Britain after his back to back English Greyhound DerbyEnglish Greyhound Derby
The English Greyhound Derby, also known as the williamhill.com Greyhound Derby for sponsorship purposes, is the most prestigious race on the UK calendar, with a history stretching back to 1927...
victories in 1929 and 1930. An enclosure is named after Mick at Wimbledon Stadium
Wimbledon Stadium
Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track located in Wimbledon in southwest London, England. It also hosts speedway, stock car and other racing events....
. Mick remained the only dog to win two Derby titles until 1973, when Patricia's Hope won her second title. Royal Doulton
Royal Doulton
The Royal Doulton Company is an English company producing tableware and collectables, dating to 1815. Operating originally in London, its reputation grew in The Potteries, where it was a latecomer compared to Spode, Wedgwood and Minton...
produced a limited edition run of Mick the Miller figurines in the 1990s. A memorial to Mick was built on the village green of his birthplace in Killeigh
Killeigh
Killeigh ) is a village in County Offaly, Ireland, located south of Tullamore on the N80 national secondary road. The Slieve Bloom Mountains lie a similar distance further south.-See also:* List of towns and villages in Ireland...
, Co. Offaly. The statue was created by Northern Irish artist Liz O'Kane, and was unveiled by the Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
of Ireland, Brian Cowen
Brian Cowen
Brian Cowen is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 7 May 2008 to 9 March 2011. He was head of a coalition government led by Fianna Fáil which until 23 January 2011 had the support of the Green Party and independent TDs.Cowen was also leader of Fianna Fáil from 7 May...
.
In 2007, journalist Jon Henderson drew up his list of 100 top British sportsman for his book Best of British: Hendo's Sporting Hisoes. Mick the Miller was included in the list as the only Greyhold, with the only other animal being multi–time Grand National
Grand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
winner 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...
. He is still referred to as the world's most famous Greyhound, having won 51 of the 68 races he was entered into and is the only dog to have won the treble of the Derby, Cesarewitch and St Leger.