December 2024

Grand National Winners of the 1980s

admin December 31, 2024

When you consider the Grand National horse race, I guess we all have our favourite horses. Perhaps you have a certain decade which stands out.

Within psychology there is a well-documented phenomenon called the reminiscence bump where people tend to recall more memories from their adolescence or early adulthood than other periods of their life. I guess it explains my interest in the 1980s. Ten glorious years of Grand National winners. A decade of remembrance.

I know what you are saying: ‘What about Rubstic in 1979 and who could forget Mr Frisk in 1990?’

They bookended the 1980s like a delicious club sandwich.

Even though it sounds corny, I just love being part of the 1980s Grand National Club. And somewhere on a book shelf in my mind is the 1928 publication: Seven Hundred Sandwiches. And in my dreams Aldaniti is tucking into a BLT.

It’s a fact, that you always remember the winners. I think my Dad placed a small bet for me on Aldaniti who won the 1981 Grand National. I would have been eleven years old. As it happened the win of Aldaniti and his jockey Bob Champion was a fairytale come true. A horse with fragile legs and a jockey stricken with cancer. Both triumphed over adversity. Champion went on to raise millions of pounds for cancer research.

There story was so poignant that it was made into a feature film: Champions, starring John Hurt.

I’ve watched that film many times. The introduction with the music score by Karl Davis is enough to fill the heart with joy and put tears in your eyes.

What a moment in time…

Let’s take a look at a decade of Grand National winners from the 1980s.

1980 – Ben Nevis 40/1

1981 – Aldaniti 10/1

1982 – Grittar 7/1f

1983 – Corbiere 13/1

1984 – Hello Dandy 13/1

1985 – Last Suspect 50/1

1986 – West Tip 15/2

1987 – Moari Venture 28/1

1988 – Rhyme ‘n’ Reason 10/1

1989 – Little Polveir 28/1

Many will have fond memories of these horses. As Nellie Mae Cox (horse breeder) once said: ‘Every horse has its story to tell…’

The Grand National is a race which seems primed for a story like no other.

Corbiere’s victory in 1983, with Jenny Pitman being the first woman to train a National winner.

West Tip was a noted winner for many punters, trained by Michael Oliver and ridden by Richard Dunwoody, in the ownership of Peter Luff. The 1986 winner returned odds of 15/2.

West Tip ran in every Grand National from 1985 – 1990.

A remarkably consistent horse:

1985 – Fell at Bechers’ Brook 13/2jf

1986 – 1^st 15/2

1987 – 4^th 5/1f

1988 – 4^th 11/1

1989 – 2^nd 12/1

1990 – 10^th 20/1

I always remember the 1986 Grand National, as my brother loved the horse which came third, Classified (22/1), ridden by Steve Smith-Eccles.

Lovely memories.

Which decade is your favourite for Grand National winners?

For all those who loved the 70s I know you have a special place in your heart for Red Rum.

Horses

Noble Yeats Wins The Grand National 2022

admin December 29, 2024

Since the first running of the Aintree Grand National, it has been a race full of surprises. In 1839, Lottery won the first National at odds of 5/1. The jolly went in and the crowd went mad as jockey Jem Mason punched the air in delight.

Perhaps we could be forgiven for thinking it was a race where you could back the favourite blind.

Time would tell, that the Grand National wasn’t a race of predictability. In fact, on many renewals it was a race of complete and utter mayhem. We all remember stories about Foinavon and the melee at the 23^rd fence. 1967 was a great year if you bet on horses priced 100/1. Jockey John Buckingham was given the chance to ride after three others declined the offer. In fact, the owner of the horse, Cyril Watkins, travelled to Worcester to ride another which he fancied to go better.

In 1984, Aintree executives renamed the 23^rd fence Foinavon.

In more recent times, there have been shock winners. From 2012 – 2016 it was something of a free-for-all.

2012 – Neptune Collonges 33/1

2013 – Auroras Encore 66/1

2014 – Pineau De Re 25/1

2015 – Many Clouds 25/1

2016 – Rule The World 33/1

Very few people realised there was a 50/1 shot gathering pace.

Let’ head to the Aintree Grand National 2022.

Noble Yeats Wins The Grand National at 50/1.

By all accounts it had been the long-held ambition for the Waley-Cohen family to win the Grand National.

This Irish-bred gelding, a son of Yeats, out of a twice-winning mare, was originally purchased as a three-year-old for the sum of 6500 (Euros). A year later, he would be sold for £75,000. He had showed ability in his sole point-to-point race when second at Ballindenisk, Ireland.

In the ownership of Paul Byrne, he achieved three wins in 2021 with trainer Emmet Mullins including a National Hunt Flat Race, Maiden Hurdle and Beginners Chase.

Clearly, there were bigger fish to fry. Even though this gelding had been racing over distance up to 3m 1f. there was speculation Noble Yeats could be a candidate for the Aintree Grand National.

This point was confirmed when he went to the sales on the 4^th February 2021. He wasn’t sold for 290,000 GNS. By the 23^rd February, he was in the ownership of Robert Waley-Cohen, an Eton-educated businessman including founding shareholder and director of Portman Healthcare, a dental business. In 2009, he had an estimated net worth of £30M detailed by the Sunday Times Rich List.

Sam Waley-Cohen had an interest in horse racing and an amateur National Hunt jockey first riding in the 2007 Grand National on his father’s horse Liberthine who finished 5^th.

In fact, Waley-Cohen was a very successful jockey with major race wins including King George VI Chase 2011 & Cheltenham Gold Cup 2011 with Long Run. He was the first amateur to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 30 years.

Nobel Yeats would mark a significant chapter in the career of Sam Waley-Cohen as he announced his forthcoming retirement from the sport.

He would be his last ever ride.

A prep race saw Noble Yeats finish down the field at Cheltenham when contesting the Ultima Handicap Chase (3m 1f).

On the 9^th April 2022 (5:15 Aintree), Noble Yeats took part in the 174^th annual running of the Grand National horse race. This seven-year-old gelding was priced at 50/1. Probably due to the fact the last horse to win the National at that age was Boskar (1940).

Noble Yeats carried 10-10. He had never faced anything like the Grand National stepping up to a trip of 4m 2 1/2f. 30 fences (one omitted) and 39 hard competitors including previous winner Minella Times (2021).

In the race, Noble Yeats was held up in rear, with steady headway from the 12^th fence, tracked leaders to the 23^rd (Canal Turn), disputed lead 2 out, headed when not fluent at the last, soon hard ridden, led run-in, stayed on final 110yds, ridden out.

Noble Yeats won by 2 ½ lengths from runner-up Any Second Now (15/2f) with Delta Work almost a distance behind in third. The winning time 9m 3.06s (fast by 0.94s).

Waley-Cohen said: ‘It’s horses for courses and he’s a horse who likes the course. There aren’t many horses that can stay the trip, jump the fences and handle the atmosphere as well as he can.’

It was a fairytale.

In 2023, Noble Yeats would try to defend his title. However, he had to carry over one stone extra weight in more testing conditions. This time ridden by Sean Bowen, the 10/1 shot (backed from 16s) was held up and ran on well for a gallant 4^th place, beaten 8 ½ lengths. He couldn’t match the winner Corach Rambler (8/1f).

In 2024, Noble Yeats took his chance again in the Grand National. The 12/1 hope was never travelled well and finished 19^th.

In two of his three Grand National races to date, Noble Yeats has won £565,000 in prize money, finishing first and fourth respectively.

Horses

Grand National Winner 2024: I Am Maximus

admin December 28, 2024

I Am Maximus.

Has there ever been a more gallant name for a Grand National winner? This son of Authorized – winner of the Epsom Derby in 2007 – out of a French-winning mare was made joint favourite for the 2024 Aintree Grand National, Liverpool.

Trained by Willie Mullins, ridden by Paul Townsend and in the familiar racing silks of J P McManus, this eight-year-old bay gelding proved to be well found in the betting market when trouncing his rival at odds of 7/1.

I Am Maximus was given a quiet ride, biding his time, in fourth place at the final fence, but fairly flew home in the final furlong, soon clear to win by seven-and-a-half lengths from Delta Work (Gordon Elliott) and Minella Indo (Henry De Bromhead). In view of animal welfare concerns, only 32 runners took part rather than the usual 40.

This race saw previous 2023 Aintree Grand National winner Corach Rambler stumble and unseat his rider at the first fence.

On soft ground, the winning time of 9 minutes and 24 seconds was fair for the burden of carrying 11 stone 6 pounds.

It had been a good few years since trainer Willie Mullins had tasted success. In fact, you had to go back to Trevor Hemmings Hedgehunter in 2005, a popular winner (7/1f) when ridden by Ruby Walsh. As far as the winning owner, McManus, he was part of the history-making win in 2021 when Minella Times, was partnered by Rachael Blackmore, who was the first woman jockey to win the Aintree Grand National. However, this was for trainer Henry De Bromhead.

Many readers will remember J.P. McManus’ first Aintree Grand National winner – Don’t Push It – in 2010 being a particularly memorable year for Tony McCoy, his sole winner of the greatest race in the world. In addition, it was the first win for trainer Jonjo O’Neill.

Including his 2024 Aintree Grand National victory, I Am Maximus had run 15 times. He started his National Hunt career in fine style by winning an Open National Hunt Flat Race at Cheltenham (2m 87y) on the 24^th October 2020. He would have a break of over a year before making his return to racing, when a narrow lose, finishing third, at Exeter, this time over hurdles.

His early career, saw him in training with Nicky Henderson and in the ownership of Claudio Michael Grech. However, on the 28^th November 2022, I Am Maximus was moved to Willie Mullins’ stables at Closutton, Bagenalstown, Carlow, Ireland.

On the 22^nd March 2023, this gelding was purchased by J.P.McManus.This was followed by a win at Fairyhouse winning the Irish Grand National Chase (Extended Handicap Chase) over 3m 5f. A prize of 270,000 (Euros) must have gone along way to covering the purchase price.

Clearly, the Aintree Grand National 2024 was the plan.

I Am Maximus wasn’t seen until 3^rd December 2023 (237 day break) when winning a five-runner race at Fairyhouse.

He would race three more times in his build up to the Aintree Grand National, winning once at Fairyhouse (24^th February 2024) before the big day at Liverpool on the 13^th April 2024.

On the day Mullins said: ‘’It’s been an incredible season and Saturday was very, very special.’’

However, racing pundit Tom Segal said: ‘Jumping ability is no longer key when it comes to landing big races – as I Am Maximus’ Grand National win showed.’

Mullins continued: ‘After the National last year I thought he was a Gold Cup horse and I still do, but I think connections are much happier to go back to the National. Red Rum won three times and Tiger Roll won two, and I think JP [McManus, owner] would be keen to have a horse who can try to win two or maybe try for a third one. If you don’t try, you don’t succeed so that’s the plan.’

Trainers

Lucinda Russell: Corach Rambler Wins Grand National

admin December 11, 2024

Did you know, since 2005 to 2024 there have been 6 favourites or joint favourites win the Aintree Grand National? That’s 19 races won and lost, not forgetting the cancellation of the 2020 race which didn’t take place because of the Covid 19 pandemic.

The winning favourites included:

2005 – Hedgehunter, trained by Willie Mullins (71/f)

2008 – Comply Or Die, trained by David Pipe (7/1jf)

2010 – Don’t Push It, trained by Jonjo O’Neill (10/1jf)

2019 – Tiger Roll, trained by Gordon Elliott (4/1f)

2023 – Corach Rambler, trained by Lucinda Russell (8/1f)

2024 – I Am Maximus, trained by Willie Mullins (7/1jf)

For all those punters who see this as a shift to the jolly, the last 20-years have seen a few giant-priced winners.

2009 – Mon Mome 100/1

2013 – Auroras Encore 66/1

2022 – Noble Yeats 50/1

Lucinda Russell is no stranger to winning. The Grand National didn’t escaped her Midas Touch for a second time (she won with One For Arthur in 2017) when tasting victory on the 15^th April 2023. For those Aintree Grand National boffins, it was the 175^th running of the most famous horse race in the world.

Corach Ramber, a son of Jeremy out of a dam named Heart And Hope, was purchased for the bargain price of just £17,000 by Michael Scudamore when a 6-year-old bay gelding going through the sales ring at Gofs UK Sale PTP (Point-To-Point) at Yorton Farm. His racing career had an inauspicious start when trained by John Martin Walsh as he was pulled up at Lisronagh, Ireland. In fact, this bay gelding was something of a late starter only making his debut at the age of five.

However, after four Irish point-to-point races, in the ownership of the Forge Syndicate, he tasted victory at Monksgrange in a 6yo+ Maiden over 3m on good going, keeping on strongly to win by two and a half lengths.

Less than two months later (27^th Sept – 12^th Nov, 2020) he was purchased for £17,000 and in the ownership of The Ramblers, in training with Lucinda Russell at Arlary House Stables, Milnathort, Kinross.

The Scottish trainer wasted little time with Corach Rambler heading to Ayr on the 18^th January 2021. He won a 5-runner Novices’ Hurdle over 3m 1/2f on Heavy going by 3-lenghts at the odds of 14/1.

This was the start to a great partnership with jockey Derek Fox.

Corach Rambler proved to be a progressive horse winning:

27^th September 2020 – Moksgrange (IRE) PTP

18^th January 2021 – Ayr 14/1

11^th March 2021 – Carlsile 12/1

24^th October 2021 – Aintree 5/2

10^th December 2021 – Cheltenham 2/1

15^th March 2022 – Cheltneham 10/1

14^th March 2023 – Chelthenham 6/1

15^th April 2023 – Grand National 8/1

His partnership with Lucinda Russell, Derek Fox & The Ramblers was coming together nicely with a battling head success at Cheltenham and the focus on the Aintree Grand National, Liverpool just one month later (15^th April 2023).

There had been much uncertainty leading up to the big day. Derek Fox had a whip ban delayed so he could ride in the Grand National.

The gelding was priced 8/1f (backed from 10/1). He led at the final fence going clear but idled in front but did enough to win by 2 ¼ lengths, from Vanillier 20/1, trained by Gavin Cromwell, with Gaillard Du Mesnil 10/1, trained by Willie Mullins in third. Nobel Yeats (2022 Grand National Winner) showed his class with a sterling fourth place.

Winning jockey, Derek Fox, said: ‘’Corach Rambler is just a phenomenal horse, he’s been so lucky for me. He normally gets held up a wee bit, today he just jumped out and travelled everywhere, so I just let him bowl away. He’s electric to jump, he’s the cleverest horse, he is so intelligent. My only concern would be if he was in front for a long time. But he won so easy, all I do is do the steering.’’

There were high hopes Corach Rambler would make a bold show in the 2024 Grand National. He returned to take 3^rd place in the Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase at odds of 14/1. His owners stating: ‘His Gold Cup third shows he’s not just a handicapper!’

That was an impressive display.

Next stop – Grand National 2024

Corach Rambler (15/2) had no luck when stumbling and unseating his rider at the 1^st fence. The well-backed I Am Maximus, trained by Willie Mullins in the familiar silks of J P McManus won in some style.

Bookmakers detailing the unseating of jockey Derek Fox saved them an estimated £5M.

On the ^1st May Corach Rambler headed to the Punchestown Gold Cup where the 18/1 shot didn’t jump with fluency, never going well, and pulled up before two out.

The Ramblers had to make the decision to race or not to race? They found the right answer to the question and the gelding was retired at the age of ten.

Lucinda Russell said: ‘He is a horse of a lifetime.’

‘We owe him so much.’

A winner of seven of his eighteen start, he won £776,459 in total earnings. Beyond his point-to-point career he was partnered by Derek Fox on every start.

Questions

Which jockey won the Grand National, at the fifteenth attempt, in 2010?

admin December 10, 2024

Sir Anthony McCoy began his riding career in low-key fashion when, as a 17-year-old, claiming 10lb, he finished unplaced on favourite Nordic Touch, trained by Jim Bolger, in a 6-furlong handicap at Phoenix Park on September 1, 1990. At that early embryonic stage, few could have predicted that, the best part of a quarter of century later, on April 25, 2015, a day like no other at Sandown Park, McCoy would bid a tearful farewell to National Hunt racing after one of the most incredible careers in that sport or any other.

However, for all his success elsewhere, McCoy seemed destined, for much of his career, to join the likes of Jonjo O’Neill, John Francome and Peter Scudamore, among others, on the list of multiple champion jockeys never to have won the Grand National. His first foray into the celebrated steeplechase, in 1995, lasted less than a circuit, with his mount, Chatham, trained by Martin Pipe, coming a cropper at the twelfth fence, immediately before the Anchor Bridge Crossing of the Melling Road. Indeed, that initial non-completion was followed by four more, on Deep Bramble, trained by Paul Nicholls, in 1996, and three more Pipe-trained runners, Challenger Du Luc, Eudipe and Dark Stranger, in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively.

McCoy also failed to complete the course, at least at the first time of asking, on Blowing Wind, also trained by Pipe, in the 2001 Grand National. However, in an eventful renewal, following a refusal early on the second circuit, he remounted (at a time when the practice was still allowed) to eventually finish third, albeit beaten a distance and the same by the only two horses to jump all 30 fences without mishap, Red Marauder and Smarty.

Over the next seven years, McCoy completed the Grand National Course three times, but never finished better than third. That placing came aboard Clan Royal, owned by John Patrick ‘J.P.’ McManus and trained by Jonjo O’Neill, in 2006. Sent off joint-favourite, after finishing second in 2004 and being carried out by a loose horse, when in the lead, in 2005, Clan Royal challenged at the third-last fence, but ultimately had to give best to the Irish-trained pair, Numbersixvalverde and Hedgehunter.

Of course, it was on another horse in the famous gold and green hoops of J.P. McManus, Don’t Push It, also trained by O’Neill, that would finally provide McCoy with a Grand National winner, in 2010. The subject of a late gamble, into 10/1 joint-favourite, the Old Vic gelding took closer order early on the second circuit, led over the final fence and forged clear on the run-in to win by 5 lengths.

Born in County Antrim on May 4, 1974, McCoy became Champion Conditional Jockey in 1994/95, his first season in Britain, and subsequently became Champion Jockey every year until his retirement, at the end of the 2014/15 season. He was still only 27 when, in April 2002, he beat Sir Gordon Richards’ long-standing record of 269 winners in a single season and went on to amass an astonishing 289 in the 2001/02 season as a whole.

The following August, McCoy became the most successful National Hunt jockey in British history, beating the previous record of 1,699 winners, set by Richard Dunwoody. By the end of his career, he had racked up and eye-watering 4,348 winners under National Hunt rules, plus another 10 on the Flat, thereby setting a record that may never be broken. McCoy was awarded a knighthood for his services to horseracing in the 2016 New Year Honours, but nonetheless later singled out breaking Richards’ record as his ‘greatest achievement’, adding, ‘nothing else comes close’.