The Grand National

It is not known for sure when the first Grand National began, and there is much debate among historians regarding when the first official race was held - but most researchers agree that the first running was held in 1836 and was won by a horse named The Duke, according to newspaper records. The Duke won again in the next year in 1837, before being toppled by Sir William in 1838. These first races have been disregarded until very recently, as although they were Grand National Races, they were held at Maghull, not Aintree - all races since have been held at Aintree, which is regarded as the official location of the Grand National. The first Grand National held at Aintree was in 1839, with the first winner a horse named Lottery. Classed as a National Hunt race, the Grand National is the most valuable race of this type in the world, and is immensely popular among a wide range of people - most of these who would not normally watch or bet on the horses. As well as popular, the Grand National is steeped in controversy over the animal rights of the horses - due to the high profile that is given to injuries and fatalities that horses often suffer by participating in the race. Because of this, many animal rights group have campaigned for many years to have the race banned. In total, in the one hundred and sixty two Grand National races that have been run, there has been fifty-seven equine fatalities in total, with the most of these in one race being four horses in 1954. Only one jockey has lost his life due to injuries sustained in a race.

Grand National Facts

It's not only male horses that take part in the Grand National, many mares take part and twelve mares in total have won the race. These include Miss Mowbray in 1852, Anatis in 1860, Jealousy in 1861 and Nickel Coin in 1951. The oldest jockey to win the Grand National was Dick Saunders, who on in 1982 at the age of 48. The youngest winning jockey was Bruce Hobbs, winning in 1938 at the tender age of 17. The Grand National is famous for having unexpected winners - horses that have won with 100/1 odds include Tipperary Tim in 1928, Gregalach in 1929, Caughiiun 1947 and Foinavon in 1967 - no doubt earning some punters a pretty penny in winnings! The most horses that participated in the Grand National was 66 runners in 1929, while the smallest amount was only 10 in 1883. Usually only a handful of horses manage to finish the complex and exciting course, with it's many jumps and obstacles, though in 1984 a massive 23 horses passed the finish line. In comparison, in 1928 only 2 horses were able to finish.

Grand National Greats

There is no argument about who is the biggest Grand National great - the famous Red Rum who won three times in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and came second in 1975 and 1976. The most successful jockey, George Stevens, rode his way to victory 5 times in 1856, 1863, 1864, 1869 and 1870. In 1990, Mr Frisk was measured with the fasted winning time - at an impressive 8 minutes and 47.8 seconds