The History of the Grand National at Aintree

Image from Crabbie's Grand National Archives

The World Famous Grand National can be traced back to the 19th Century.

In February 1839, Lottery became the first winner of the Grand Liverpool Steeplechase, the race that would become known as the Grand National.

Horses had to jump a stone wall, cross a stretch of ploughed land and finish over two hurdles.

Beecher's Brook

Beecher's Brook is the most famous of all the fences at Aintree. The fence took it's name from Captain Martin Beecher who fell ffrom his mount, Conrad there at the very first Steeplechase in 1839 and took shelter in the brook to avoid injury.

It is jumped twice during the race, as the sixth and 22nd fence It has always been a notorious and controversial obstacle, because of the size and angle of the 6 ft 9in drop on the landing side.

Becher's Brook in 1989 as jockeys and their mounts all fall

There have been modifications to the fence only three times over the years, the first after the 1954 Grand National and twice move in 1987 and 1989.

Some jockeys have compared it to "jumping off the edge of the world."

Boodles and the Grand National Trophy

1958 Trophy made by Boodles

During the 1950s Liverpool's prestigious jewellers Boodles were comissioned to make the trophy for the winner of the Grand National at Aintree.

In 1958 Boodles made the gold trophy for record breaking Grand National winner Mr What. Ridden by the Queen Mothers’ jockey, it won by 30 lengths at odds of 18-1. Mr. What also came 3rd in 1959 and 1962.

Mr. What's 1958 Victory Walk

Tipperary Tim

On the day of the 1928 Grand 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.

The weather for the 1928 Grand National was misty  with the going very heavy. 

As the field approached the Canal Turn 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 fell too. 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.

Foinavon

It was another 39 years until the Grand National saw another 100/1 rank-outsider, a surprise winner Foinavon won the 1967 Steeplechase.

Most of the field were hampered or dismounted in a huge pile up 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 at the 23rd.

It caused chaos. the horses either stoped, refused or unseated their riders. 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 100 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 was officially named the 'Foinavon fence' in 1984.

Red Rum

Red Rum is arguably the most well known race horse in the world. Ask anyone to name a race horse and for most people it is the legendary Red Rum that springs to mind!

Trained by GInger McCain, Red Rum is the only horse to even winw three Grand Nationals in 1973, 1974 and 1977.

In 1973, he came from behind to beat Australian horse Crisp with whom he had been joint favourite. His comeback form 30 lengths behind is often considered one of the greatest Grand National moments.

In 1974, he lead the field for the final stages, even though he was as third favourite at 11-1. His final victory at Aintree was his third in 1977. At 12 years old he made history winning the race, something that had never been achieved before or since.

Red Rum was prepared for a sixth attempt at the Grand National the season following his 1977 win, but suffered a hairline fracture the day before the 1978 race and was subsequently retired a thoroughbred champion and a Grand National legend.

Red Rum died on 18 October 1995, aged 30, he was buried at the winning post of the Aintree Racecourse.

Statue of Red Rum at Aintree Racecourse

Red Rum's Grave at Aintree Racecourse

The Race that Wasn't and the Monday Race

The 1990s saw a different kind of drama at the Grand National. In 1993 after a number of incidents at the starting line the result was declared void, the biggest disaster in Aintree history. A false start was declared however 30 out of 39 jockeys didn't hear the message and begun the race. Red flags around the course were waved to get the horses to stop but jockeys thought they were protesters so continued. Seven horses ran the race to completion before it was declared void.

In 1997 after two coded bomb threats were received from the IRA the police secured the racecourse and evacuated jockeys, horses, staff and 60,000 spectators. 20,000 cars were locked in leaving people without their vehicles over the weekend whilst the course was checked. 48 hours after the race should have happened, it took place on the Monday with free admission to watch the Grand National.

100/1 take 3!

In 2009, Mon Mone 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 £1 million Race

                                           Shut the Front Door riden by A P McCoy

In 2014 for the first ever time the prize for winning The Crabbie's Grand National became £1 million race. The prize will be set the same for the 2015 Steeplechase.