Grand National

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This article is about the English horse race. For other uses, see Grand National (disambiguation).

The Grand National is the most valuable National Hunt horse race in the world. It is popular amongst many people who do not normally watch or bet on horse racing at other times of the year. It is also one of the most controversial, due to the high profile given to injuries and fatalities suffered by the participating horses, making it a target for animal rights groups who have campaigned to have it banned. [1] In one hundred and sixty two runnings of the race there have been fifty-seven equine fatalities, four of those in one year, 1954, while one jockey has also lost his life as a result of injuries sustained in the race.[2]

Contents

[edit] Event

The Grand National is a Grade 3 handicap chase currently restricted to six-year-old and above horses. It is run over a distance of 4 miles 4 furlongs (7,242 metres) at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, usually on a Saturday in early April. There are thirty fences to be jumped in the race.

It is run over two circuits of Aintree's National Course, on which there are sixteen fences. All except The Chair and the Water-Jump are jumped twice. Some fences have acquired near-legendary status for their severity, particularly Becher's Brook[1] and The Chair, although in recent years this severity has been much reduced due to pressure from various animal rights groups. The Grand National is the centerpiece of a three-day meeting, one of only four run at Aintree in the racing season.

It is one of ten events reserved for live broadcast on UK terrestrial television under the ITC Code on Sports and Other Listed Events. Each year since 2000 the Grand National has been watched worldwide by over 600 million viewers. Since 1987 the viewing base for the Grand National has been over 500 million showing the fan base for the big race has increased significantly.

In 2007 the Grand National sponsors John Smith's Brewery launched the John Smith's People's Race which gives 10 members of the public the chance to ride in a flat race at Aintree on Grand National day.

From a betting perspective, the Grand National forms the second leg of the Spring Double - the first leg is the Lincoln Handicap.

A fictional account of a young girl training the winner of the Grand National by Enid Bagnold was made into a film, National Velvet, starring the young Elizabeth Taylor as the heroine, Velvet Brown. The events surrounding the 1981 National, and the winning jockey, Bob Champion, were also dramatised in the film Champions.

[edit] History

Becher's Brook, 1890, engraving of horses jumping the famous fence in the Grand National steeplechase at Aintree
Becher's Brook, 1890, engraving of horses jumping the famous fence in the Grand National steeplechase at Aintree
The Big Raspers At Aintree , 1927 painting of an incident at the Grand National
The Big Raspers At Aintree , 1927 painting of an incident at the Grand National
A Grand National Impression, 1926 painting of the field tackling one of the fences before Bechers in the premier steeplechase
A Grand National Impression, 1926 painting of the field tackling one of the fences before Bechers in the premier steeplechase

There is much debate among historians regarding the first official race held and most who have trawled the newspaper libraries of the United Kingdom now prefer the idea that the first running was in 1836 and was won by The Duke. This same horse triumphed again in 1837, while Sir William was the winner in 1838. These races have long been disregarded because of the belief that the 1837 & 1838 runnings took place at Maghull and not Aintree. In the last twenty years, several race historians have unearthed indisputable evidence that these three races were all run over the same course at Aintree and were regarded as having been Grand Nationals up until the mid 1860s. To date though, their calls for the Nationals of 1836-38 to be restored to the record books have been ignored. The first Grand National at Aintree was in 1839 and was won by the aptly named horse, Lottery.

For three years during World War I, while Aintree racecourse was closed, an alternative race was run at Gatwick Racecourse, on the site of the present Gatwick Airport. The first of these races, in 1916, was called the Racecourse Association Steeplechase, and in the following two years the race was known as the War National Steeplechase. The races at Gatwick are not always recognised as "Grand Nationals," however, and their results are often omitted from winners' lists.

During the 1950s the Grand National was dominated by Vincent O'Brien who trained the winner of the race for three consecutive years between 1953 and 1955. Early Mist won the race in 1953 with Royal Tan winning in 1954 and the hat-trick of victories for the Irish trainer was completed by Quare Times in 1955.

The 1967 running was won by rank outsider Foinavon, ridden by Johnny Buckingham, after a melee at the 23rd fence when two loose horses pulled up in front of the field, caused the many others to stop or refuse. Foinavon was running so far behind that Buckingham managed to avoid the incident and scrape round ahead of 17 remounted horses, coming home at odds of 100/1.

By far the most successful horse in Grand National history was Red Rum, the only horse to win three times, in 1973, 1974, and in 1977. He also came in second in the two intervening years, 1975 and 1976.

In 1993, the result of the race was declared void after a series of incidents at the start meant the starting tape failed to rise correctly, causing several horses and jockeys to be caught up in it. A false start was declared, but lack of communication between course officials meant that 30 out of the 39 jockeys did not realise this and started to race. Course officials tried to stop the horses by waving red flags next to The Chair at the end of the first circuit. However, many jockeys thought that these people were protesters and so continued to race. Peter Scudamore stopped only because he saw his usual 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 ran was Esha Ness, ridden by John White and trained by Jenny Pitman.

In 1997, the Saturday meeting was abandoned after two coded bomb threats were received, reportedly from the Provisional Irish Republican Army. 60,000 spectators, jockeys, race personnel and local residents were evacuated, and the course was secured by police. The race was eventually run on the Monday, with the meeting organisers offering free admission. Some 20,000 people were left stranded over the weekend, with cars and coaches locked in the course. With limited accommodation in the city and surrounding areas, local residents opened their doors and took in many of those stranded.

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, multiple champion and record holder Tony McCoy has failed to win the race along with contemporaries Richard Johnson, and Adrian Maguire. Three jockeys who led over the last fence in the National and just lost the race on the run-in ended up as TV racing pundits. These were Lord Oaksey on Carrickbeg in 1963, Norman Williamson on Mely Moss in 2000, and Richard Pitman on Crisp in 1973. The same fate occurred to Pitman's son Mark on Garrison Savannah in 1991.

Twelve mares have won the race: 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) and Nickel Coin (1951).

[edit] Records

Records from Grand Nationals run at Aintree since 1839.

  • Most successful horse - Red Rum, 3 wins (1973, 1974, 1977), 2 second places (1975, 1976)
  • Most successful jockey - George Stevens, 5 wins (1856, 1863, 1864, 1869, 1870)
  • Most successful trainer - Fred Rimell (1956, 1961, 1970, 1976), Ginger McCain (1973, 1974, 1977, 2004), 4 wins each *
  • Fastest winning time - 8m 47.8s, Mr Frisk (1990)
  • Oldest winning horse - Peter Simple, aged 15 (1853)
  • Youngest winning horse - Alcibiade (1865), Regal (1876), Austerlitz (1877), Empress (1880), Lutteur III (1909), all aged 5
  • Oldest winning jockey - Dick Saunders, aged 48 (1982)
  • Youngest winning jockey - Bruce Hobbs, aged 17 (1938)
  • Longest odds winner - Tipperary Tim (1928), Gregalach (1929), Caughoo (1947), Foinavon (1967), all 100/1
  • Largest field - 66 runners (1929)
  • Smallest field - 10 runners (1883)
  • Most horses to finish - 23 (1984)
  • Fewest horses to finish - 2 (1928)

* George Dockeray is also credited with four training successes between 1839-52 but it is difficult to determine whether he actually trained the horses involved or merely stabled them.

[edit] Winners

  • Weights given in stones - pounds; Amateur jockeys identified by title ("Mr", "Captain" etc).
Year
 Winner
 Age
 Weight
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Odds
1836 The Duke * 7 Captain Martin Becher 003.003/1
1837 The Duke * 8 Henry Potts
1838 Sir William * 7 12-07 Alan McDonough 002.002/1
1839 Lottery 9 12-00 Jem Mason George Dockeray 009.009/1
1840 Jerry 10 12-00 Mr Bartholomew Bretherton George Dockeray 012.0012/1
1841 Charity 11 12-00 Mr A. Powell William Vevers 014.0014/1
1842 Gaylad 8 12-00 Tom Olliver George Dockeray 007.007/1
1843 Vanguard 8 11-10 Tom Olliver Lord Chesterfield's Groom 012.0012/1
1844 Discount 6 10-12 John Crickmere 005.005/1 JF
1845 Cure-All 11-05 Mr William Loft Kitty Crisp 015.0015/1
1846 Pioneer 6 11-12 William Taylor 030.0030/1
1847 Mathew 9 10-06 Denny Wynne John Murphy 010.0010/1
1848 Chandler 12 11-12 Captain Josie Little Tom Eskrett 012.0012/1
1849 Peter Simple 11 11-00 Tom Cunningham Tom Cunningham 020.0020/1
1850 Abd-El-Kader 8 09-12 Mr Chris Green Joe Osborne 033.33100/3
1851 Abd-El-Kader 9 10-04 Tom Abbot Joe Osborne 007.007/1
1852 Miss Mowbray 8 10-04 Mr Alec Goodman George Dockeray 010.0010/1
1853 Peter Simple 15 10-10 Tom Olliver Tom Olliver 009.009/1
1854 Bourton 11 11-12 John Tasker Henry Wadlow 004.004/1 F
1855 Wanderer 10 09-08 John Hanlon 025.0025/1
1856 Freetrader 7 09-06 George Stevens William Holman 025.0025/1
1857 Emigrant 11 09-10 Charlie Boyce Charlie Boyce 010.0010/1
1858 Little Charley 10 10-07 William Archer William Holman 016.67100/6
1859 Half Caste 6 09-07 Chris Green Chris Green 007.007/1
1860 Anatis 10 09-10 Mr Tommy Pickernell H. E. May 003.507/2 F
1861 Jealousy 7 09-12 Joseph Kendall Charles Balchin 005.005/1
1862 The Huntsman 9 11-00 Harry Lamplugh Harry Lamplugh 003.003/1 F
1863 Emblem 7 10-10 George Stevens Edwin Weever 004.004/1
1864 Emblematic 6 10-06 George Stevens Edwin Weever 010.0010/1
1865 Alcibiade 5 11-04 Captain Henry Coventry Cornell 014.29100/7
1866 Salamander 7 10-07 Mr Alec Goodman J. Walters 040.0040/1
1867 Cortolvin 8 11-13 John Page Harry Lamplugh 016.0016/1
1868 The Lamb 6 10-07 Mr George Ede-Edwards Ben Land 009.009/1
1869 The Colonel 6 10-07 George Stevens R. Roberts 014.29100/7
1870 The Colonel 7 11-12 George Stevens R. Roberts 003.507/2 F
1871 The Lamb 9 11-05 Mr Tommy Pickernell Chris Green 005.5011/2
1872 Casse Tete 7 10-00 John Page A. Cowley 020.0020/1
1873 Disturbance 6 11-11 Mr John Richardson John Richardson 020.0020/1
1874 Reugny 6 10-12 Mr John Richardson John Richardson 005.005/1 F
1875 Pathfinder 8 10-11 Mr Tommy Pickernell W. Reeves 016.67100/6
1876 Regal 5 11-03 Joe Cannon James Jewitt 025.0025/1
1877 Austerlitz 5 10-08 Mr Fred Hobson Robert I'Anson 015.0015/1
1878 Shifnal 9 10-12 J. Jones J. Nightingall 007.007/1
1879 The Liberator 10 11-04 Mr Garry Moore J. Moore 005.005/1
1880 Empress 5 10-07 Mr Tommy Beasley Henry Linde 008.008/1
1881 Woodbrook 7 11-03 Mr Tommy Beasley Henry Linde 005.5011/2 JF
1882 Seaman 6 11-06 Lord Manners James Machell 010.0010/1
1883 Zoedone 6 11-00 Count Karel Kinsky W. Jenkins 014.29100/7
1884 Voluptuary 6 10-05 Mr Ted Wilson William Wilson 010.0010/1
1885 Roquefort 6 11-00 Mr Ted Wilson Arthur Yates 003.33100/30 F
1886 Old Joe 7 10-09 Tommy Skelton George Mulcaster 025.0025/1
1887 Gamecock 8 11-00 W. Daniells James Gordon 020.0020/1
1888 Playfair 7 10-07 George Mawson Tom Cannon 040.0040/1
1889 Frigate 11 11-04 Mr Tommy Beasley M. A. Maher 008.008/1
1890 Ilex 6 10-05 Arthur Nightingall John Nightingall 004.004/1 F
1891 Come Away 7 11-12 Mr Harry Beasley Harry Beasley 004.004/1 F
1892 Father O'Flynn 7 10-05 Captain Roddy Owen Gordon Wilson 020.0020/1
1893 Cloister 9 12-07 Bill Dollery Arthur Yates 004.509/2 F
1894 Why Not 13 11-13 Arthur Nightingall Willie Moore 005.005/1 JF
1895 Wild Man From Borneo 7 10-11 Mr Joe Widger James Gatland 010.0010/1
1896 The Soarer 7 09-13 Mr David Campbell Willie Moore 040.0040/1
1897 Manifesto [2] 9 11-13 Terry Kavanagh Willie McAuliffe 006.006/1 F
1898 Drogheda 6 10-12 John Gourley Dick Dawson 025.0025/1
1899 Manifesto 11 12-07 George Williamson Willie Moore 005.005/1
1900 Ambush II 6 11-03 Algy Anthony Algy Anthony 004.004/1
1901 Grudon 11 10-00 Arthur Nightingall Bernard Bletsoe 009.009/1
1902 Shannon Lass 7 10-01 David Read James Hackett 020.0020/1
1903 Drumcree 9 11-03 Percy Woodland Sir Charles Nugent 006.5013/2 F
1904 Moifaa 8 10-07 Arthur Birch W. Hickey 025.0025/1
1905 Kirkland 9 11-05 Frank Mason E. Thomas 006.006/1
1906 Ascetic's Silver 9 10-09 Mr Aubrey Hastings Aubrey Hastings 020.0020/1
1907 Eremon 7 10-01 Alf Newey Tom Coulthwaite 008.008/1
1908 Rubio 10 10-05 Henry Bletsoe Fred Withington 066.0066/1
1909 Lutteur III 5 10-11 Georges Parfrement Harry Escott 011.11100/9
1910 Jenkinstown 9 10-05 Robert Chadwick Tom Coulthwaite 012.50100/8
1911 Glenside 9 10-03 Mr Jack Anthony R. H. Collis 020.0020/1
1912 Jerry M 9 12-07 Ernie Piggott Bob Gore 004.004/1 JF
1913 Covertcoat 7 11-06 Percy Woodland Bob Gore 011.11100/9
1914 Sunloch 8 09-07 Bill Smith Tom Tyler 016.67100/6
1915 Ally Sloper 6 10-06 Mr Jack Anthony Aubrey Hastings 012.50100/8
1916 Vermouth * 6 11-10 Jack Reardon J. Bell 012.50100/8
1917 Ballymacad * 10 09-12 Edmund Driscoll Aubrey Hastings 011.11100/9
1918 Poethlyn * 8 11-06 Ernie Piggott Harry Escott 005.005/1
1919 Poethlyn 9 12-07 Ernie Piggott Harry Escott 002.7511/4 F
1920 Troytown 7 11-09 Mr Jack Anthony Algy Anthony 006.006/1
1921 Shaun Spadah 10 11-07 Fred Rees George Poole 011.11100/9
1922 Music Hall 9 11-08 Lewis Rees Owen Anthony 011.11100/9
1923 Sergeant Murphy 13 11-03 Captain Tuppy Bennett George Blackwell 016.67100/6
1924 Master Robert 11 10-05 Bob Trudgill Aubrey Hastings 025.0025/1
1925 Double Chance 9 10-09 Major John Wilson Fred Archer, Jr. 011.11100/9
1926 Jack Horner 9 10-05 William Watkinson Harvey Leader 025.0025/1
1927 Sprig 10 12-04 Ted Leader Tom Leader 008.008/1 F
1928 Tipperary Tim 10 10-00 Mr Bill Dutton Joseph Dodd 100.00100/1
1929 Gregalach 7 11-04 Robert Everett Tom Leader 100.00100/1
1930 Shaun Goilin 10 11-07 Tommy Cullinan Frank Hartigan 012.50100/8
1931 Grakle 9 11-07 Bob Lyall Tom Coulthwaite 016.67100/6
1932 Forbra 7 10-07 Tim Hamey Tom Rimell 050.0050/1
1933 Kellsboro Jack 7 11-09 Dudley Williams Ivor Anthony 025.0025/1
1934 Golden Miller 7 12-02 Gerry Wilson Basil Briscoe 008.008/1
1935 Reynoldstown 8 11-04 Mr Frank Furlong Noel Furlong 022.0022/1
1936 Reynoldstown 9 12-02 Mr Fulke Walwyn Noel Furlong 010.0010/1
1937 Royal Mail 8 11-13 Evan Williams Ivor Anthony 016.67100/6
1938 Battleship 11 11-06 Bruce Hobbs Reg Hobbs 040.0040/1
1939 Workman 9 10-06 Tim Hyde Jack Ruttle 012.50100/8
1940 Bogskar 7 10-04 Mervyn Jones Lord Stalbridge 025.0025/1
1941 ZZno race 1941-45 * 99 99-99 ZZ ZZ 999.99
1946 Lovely Cottage 9 10-08 Captain Bobby Petre Tommy Rayson 025.0025/1
1947 Caughoo 8 10-00 Eddie Dempsey Herbert McDowell 100.00100/1
1948 Sheila's Cottage 9 10-07 Arthur Thompson Neville Crump 050.0050/1
1949 Russian Hero 9 10-08 Leo McMorrow George Owen 066.0066/1
1950 Freebooter 9 11-11 Jimmy Power Bobby Renton 010.0010/1
1951 Nickel Coin 9 10-01 John Bullock Jack O'Donoghue 040.0040/1
1952 Teal 10 10-11 Arthur Thompson Neville Crump 014.29100/7
1953 Early Mist 8 11-02 Bryan Marshall Vincent O'Brien 020.0020/1
1954 Royal Tan 10 11-07 Bryan Marshall Vincent O'Brien 008.008/1
1955 Quare Times 9 11-10 Pat Taaffe Vincent O'Brien 011.11100/9
1956 E.S.B. 10 11-03 Dave Dick Fred Rimell 014.29100/7
1957 Sundew 11 11-07 Fred Winter Frank Hudson 020.0020/1
1958 Mr What 8 10-06 Arthur Freeman Tom Taaffe 018.0018/1
1959 Oxo 8 10-13 Michael Scudamore Willie Stephenson 008.008/1
1960 Merryman II 9 10-12 Gerry Scott Neville Crump 006.5013/2 F
1961 Nicolaus Silver 9 10-01 Bobby Beasley Fred Rimell 028.0028/1
1962 Kilmore 12 10-04 Fred Winter Ryan Price 028.0028/1
1963 Ayala 9 10-00 Pat Buckley Keith Piggott 066.0066/1
1964 Team Spirit 12 10-03 Willie Robinson Fulke Walwyn 018.0018/1
1965 Jay Trump 8 11-05 Mr Tommy Smith Fred Winter 012.50100/8
1966 Anglo 8 10-00 Tim Norman Fred Winter 050.0050/1
1967 Foinavon 9 10-00 John Buckingham John Kempton 100.00100/1
1968 Red Alligator 9 10-00 Brian Fletcher Denys Smith 014.29100/7
1969 Highland Wedding 12 10-04 Eddie Harty Toby Balding 011.11100/9
1970 Gay Trip 8 11-05 Pat Taaffe Fred Rimell 015.0015/1
1971 Specify 9 10-13 John Cook John Sutcliffe 028.0028/1
1972 Well To Do 9 10-01 Graham Thorner Tim Forster 014.0014/1
1973 Red Rum 8 10-05 Brian Fletcher Ginger McCain 009.009/1 JF
1974 Red Rum 9 12-00 Brian Fletcher Ginger McCain 011.0011/1
1975 L'Escargot 12 11-03 Tommy Carberry Dan Moore 006.5013/2
1976 Rag Trade 10 10-12 John Burke Fred Rimell 014.0014/1
1977 Red Rum 12 11-08 Tommy Stack Ginger McCain 009.009/1
1978 Lucius 9 10-09 Bob Davies Gordon W. Richards 014.0014/1
1979 Rubstic 10 10-00 Maurice Barnes John Leadbetter 025.0025/1
1980 Ben Nevis 12 10-12 Mr Charlie Fenwick Tim Forster 040.0040/1
1981 Aldaniti 11 10-13 Bob Champion Josh Gifford 010.0010/1
1982 Grittar 9 11-05 Mr Dick Saunders Frank Gilman 007.007/1 F
1983 Corbiere 8 11-04 Ben de Haan Jenny Pitman 013.0013/1
1984 Hallo Dandy 10 10-02 Neale Doughty Gordon W. Richards 013.0013/1
1985 Last Suspect 11 10-05 Hywel Davies Tim Forster 050.0050/1
1986 West Tip 9 10-11 Richard Dunwoody Michael Oliver 007.5015/2
1987 Maori Venture 11 10-13 Steve Knight Andrew Turnell 028.0028/1
1988 Rhyme 'n' Reason 9 11-00 Brendan Powell David Elsworth 010.0010/1
1989 Little Polveir 12 10-03 Jimmy Frost Toby Balding 028.0028/1
1990 Mr Frisk 11 10-06 Mr Marcus Armytage Kim Bailey 016.0016/1
1991 Seagram 11 10-06 Nigel Hawke David Barons 012.0012/1
1992 Party Politics 8 10-07 Carl Llewellyn Nick Gaselee 014.0014/1
1993 ZZrace void 1993 * 99 99-99 ZZ ZZ 999.99
1994 Miinnehoma 11 10-08 Richard Dunwoody Martin Pipe 016.0016/1
1995 Royal Athlete 12 10-06 Jason Titley Jenny Pitman 040.0040/1
1996 Rough Quest 10 10-07 Mick Fitzgerald Terry Casey 007.007/1 F
1997 Lord Gyllene 9 10-00 Tony Dobbin Steve Brookshaw 014.0014/1
1998 Earth Summit 10 10-05 Carl Llewellyn Nigel Twiston-Davies 007.007/1 F
1999 Bobbyjo 9 10-00 Paul Carberry Tommy Carberry 010.0010/1
2000 Papillon 9 10-12 Ruby Walsh Ted Walsh 010.0010/1
2001 Red Marauder 11 10-11 Richard Guest Norman Mason 033.0033/1
2002 Bindaree 8 10-04 Jim Culloty Nigel Twiston-Davies 020.0020/1
2003 Monty's Pass 10 10-07 Barry Geraghty Jimmy Mangan 016.0016/1
2004 Amberleigh House 12 10-10 Graham Lee Ginger McCain 016.0016/1
2005 Hedgehunter 9 11-01 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 007.007/1 F
2006 Numbersixvalverde 10 10-08 Niall Madden Martin Brassil 011.0011/1
2007 Silver Birch 10 10-06 Robbie Power Gordon Elliott 033.0033/1
2008 Comply or Die 9 10-09 Timmy Murphy David Pipe 007.007/1 JF

* The 1836 to 1838 races are not currently recognised as Grand Nationals by Aintree Racecourse.
* From 1916 to 1918 there was no race at Aintree due to World War I, but an alternative race was held each year at Gatwick.
* The race was not run from 1941 to 1945 due to World War II.
* The 1993 race was declared void because some of the runners failed to be called back after a false start.

[edit] Notes

  • 1836 - The Duke won the inaugural Great Liverpool Steeplechase at Aintree which would be later renamed the Grand National.
  • 1900 - The winning horse Ambush II was owned by the Prince of Wales - the future King Edward VII.
  • 1905 - Kirkland, based in Pembrokeshire, is the only winner to be trained in Wales.
  • 1923 - Sergeant Murphy became the first American-bred horse to win the Grand National.
  • 1926 - Willie Watkinson recorded the first riding success for Australia. Sadly the Tasmanian born rider was killed at Bogside in Scotland less than three weeks later.
  • 1927 - The first BBC radio commentary of the race, by Meyrick Good and George Allison.
  • 1934 - The only horse to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National in the same season - Golden Miller.
  • 1938 - The American-bred Battleship, son of the famous Man o' War, became the first (and so far only) horse to have won both the Grand National and the American Grand National (won four years earlier).
  • 1956 - Devon Loch, owned by the Queen Mother and ridden by Dick Francis, was in the lead and certain to win when he inexplicably leapt and unseated the jockey on the run-in, 50 yards (45 metres) from the finish, giving victory to E.S.B.
  • 1960 - The race was televised for the first time. Since then it has always been shown by the BBC.
  • 1961 - The most recent grey horse to win the race - Nicolaus Silver. The only previous grey to win was The Lamb (1868 and 1871).
  • 1962 - Wyndburgh finished runner-up for the third time, but was never to win the race.
  • 1967 - A pile up at the 23rd fence held up many horses in the race, allowing 100-1 outsider, Foinavon, to win.
  • 1968 - The favourite for the race Different Class was owned by actor Gregory Peck.
  • 1975 - The second Cheltenham Gold Cup winner to win the Grand National - L'Escargot.
  • 1977 - Red Rum's third victory in the Grand National.
  • 1977 - The first female jockey rode in the race. Charlotte Brew rode 200-1 shot Barony Fort, who refused at the fourth fence from home.
  • 1979 - Rubstic, based in Roxburghshire, was the first winner to be trained in Scotland.
  • 1981 - Bob Champion, who had been diagnosed with cancer and told he only had months to live in 1979, was the winning jockey on Aldaniti, who had almost been retired because of leg trouble. A film was made of their story entitled Champions.
  • 1982 - The first female jockey to complete the race - Geraldine Rees, finished 8th (last) on 66-1 outsider Cheers.
  • 1983 - The first woman to train the winner - Jenny Pitman, with Corbiere.
  • 1990 - Jockey Chris Grant came second in the race for the third time (previous years were 1986 and 1988).
  • 1991 - The race was won by a horse called Seagram - coincidentally the race was sponsored at the time by the company Seagram. The company had previous chances to buy the horse.
  • 1992 - Party Politics won the race just five days before the 1992 UK General Election. Carl Llewellyn got his winning ride only because the horse's regular jockey Andrew Adams was injured. In 1998 he got another winning ride, this time because of an injury to that horse's regular jockey Tom Jenks.
  • 1994 - The winning horse Miinnehoma was owned by the comedian Freddie Starr.
  • 1997 - The delayed race (rescheduled 48 hours later after a suspected IRA bomb threat) was the last of 50 Nationals (including the void race of 1993) to be commentated on by Peter O'Sullevan.
  • 2001 - Richard Guest's winning ride on Red Marauder subsequently won the Lester Award for "Jump Ride of the Year".
  • 2005 - The race was moved back by 25 minutes owing to the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles.
  • 2008 - Jockey Mick Fitzgerald sustained a serious neck injury and 2007 runner-up McKelvey had to be put down. [3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Animal Aid (28 March 2008). "Animal Aid calls for boycott of the notorious race". Press release.
  2. ^ ISBN 978-1-905156-43-6 A-Z of The Grand National
  3. ^ "2008 Grand National", BBC. 

[edit] See also

Coordinates: 53°28′37″N 2°56′30″W / 53.47694, -2.94167