Peter Simple was the third racehorse in history to win the Grand National steeplechase twice, emulating The Duke and Abd-El-Kader. After winning in 1849 the horse failed to complete the course during the next three years before winning again in 1853 at the age of 15, the oldest ever winner.
A full account of his victories in 1849 and 1853 can be found at www.hometown.aol.co.uk/captainbeecher/1849PETERSIMPLE.html and www.hometown.aol.co.uk/captainbeecher/1853PETERSIMPLE.html.
It very well might be that Peter Simple was the oldest race horse ever to win an officially recorded stakes race at the age of 15 in the year 1853. Traditionally horses entered in the Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree are often 8, 9 or even 10 years of age. But the fact remains that no other horse close to Peter Simple's age of 15 won the Grand National. An American Thoroughbred named John's Call is perhaps the oldest horse to win a Grade I stakes race at the age of 9 in 2000. John's Call started out as a steeple horse as a yearling.
Peter Simple was a 9/1 shot in his amazing 1853 victory at Aintree and was trained by Tom Oliver who was also the trainer. Josey Little was the owner. -Erich L. Ruehs