The Wall Street Crash in 1929 had a major impact on the 1930s in the UK and across the world. The depression led to over 3 million unemployed, widespread poverty, and social unrest. It was a time of tension between workers and employers.
Austerity measures cut deep.
From a technological perspective, the introduction of radio led to the prominence of the BBC.
Radio became a significant part of the Aintree Grand National, increasing interest beyond the live event. In fact, the first broadcast of the most famous steeplechase aired in 1927.
Let’s take a look at the 1930s Aintree Grand National:
1930 – Shaun Goilin 100/8 Trainer: Frank Hartigan
1931 – Grakle 100/6 Trainer: Tom Culthwaite
1932 – Forbra 50/1 Trainer: Tom Rimell
1933 – Kellsboro Jack 25/1 Trainer: Ivor Anthony
1934 – Golden Miller 8/1 Trainer: Basil Briscoe
1935 – Reynoldstown 22/1 Trainer: Noel Furlong
1936 – Reynoldstown 10/1 Trainer: Noel Furlong
1937 – Royal Mail 100/6 Trainer: Ivor Anthony
1938 – Battleship 40/1 Trainer: Reg Hobbs
1939 – Workman 100/8 Trainer: Jack Ruttle
The 1930s Aintree Grand National saw a selection of winners priced from 100/8 to 50/1.
Shaun Goilin won the 1930 Aintree Grand National. The Irish gelding, trained by Frank Hartigan, is something of an anomaly because he is the only winner of the National whose sire is unknown. The horse was well-backed by thousands of Irish supporters, including a number of Catholic priests.
A couple of trainers achieved two wins each, including Welshman Ivor Anthony with Kellsboro Jack (25/1) in 1933 and Royal Mail (100/6) in 1937.
Irishman Major Noel Furlong, owner-trainer of Reynoldstown, won the 1935 and 1936 Nationals. The first victory was ridden by his son, Frank, and the second by Fulke Walwyn, who later became an accomplished trainer.
In 1932, Forbra won at odds of 50/1. The seven-year-old was trained by Tom Rimell, ridden by Tim Hamey, and owned by William Parsonage.
If there was one horse that stood out in the 1930s, it was the immensely talented Golden Miller, trained by Basil Briscoe and owned by the rather wayward Dorothy Paget.
Golden Miller Wins the 1934 Aintree Grand National
The 93rd renewal was won by the seven-year-old at odds of 8/1. Although faster ground may have helped achieve a course record of 72 years, it was largely due to the talent of the horse, who carried a weight of 12:02. Gerry Wilson rode a brilliant race. Trainer Basil Briscoe stated that training horses was easy compared to managing his errant owner, Dorothy Paget. Golden Miller remains the only horse to have ever won the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Aintree Grand National in the same year.
Golden Miller ran in the 1933, 1935, 1936, and 1937 Aintree Grand Nationals but did not finish the race in any of those years.
While Golden Miller had mixed fortunes in the National, he is well-known as the most successful Cheltenham Gold Cup horse ever. He won the race in five consecutive years (1932–1936).
Dorothy Paget was a leading owner of the time, with over 1,500 winners. She was a prominent figure in both National Hunt and Flat racing.
Interestingly, the two biggest gamblers in the 1930s were Paget and Mrs. J.V. Rank (sister of the founder of The Rank Organisation), who would often bet £10,000 on a race (£320,000 in today’s money).
Over the years, Paget would have 21 runners in the Aintree Grand National.
With the onset of World War II on September 1, 1939, it continued to be a very testing time for King and country.